Explain the format for newer HD camcorders

[jbitakis]

I am planning on buying a new HD Camcorder and I am strongly leaning towards Memory flash card vs. Hard Drive. What kind of memory flash cards are used on these type of camcorders?

[budwzr]

I don't think they make hard drive camcorders anymore.

[edDV]

I am planning on buying a new HD Camcorder and I am strongly leaning towards Memory flash card vs. Hard Drive. What kind of memory flash cards are used on these type of camcorders?

First your computer isn't fast enough to even play HD.

Typical cards are Class 6 SDHC Flash. Figure about $30-40 per hour.
http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Class-Memory-Reader-TS16GSDHC6-S5W/dp/B0010Z28XG

[redwudz]

I have a JVC Everio GZ-HD300 that has an internal 60GB HDD and can also use Micro SD cards. I use Class 6, 8GB cards and they seem to work well enough.

Highest quality setting, I can get about 5 1/2 hours on the 60GB HDD. Or 40 minutes at the same resolution on a 8GB micro SDHC card. I have a hand full of the cards, but I prefer the HDD most times. The cards are handy for just a quick shoot, then plug them into the computer. But the HDD transfers fairly quickly over USB2 also.

The prices of large Micro SD cards have come down a bit, so that might be a option if you are worried about HDD failure. But for me, being able to shoot 5 hours of video with just some battery changes is very handy.

[budwzr]

Here's the list of bestselling camcorders:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?sf=sbc&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Acamcorder %2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A502394%2Cn%3A172421&bbn=50239 4&sort=pmrank&keywords=camcorder&ie=UTF8&qid=13019 74907&rnid=502394

Here's one based on customer review:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?sf=sbc&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Acamcorder %2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A502394%2Cn%3A172421&bbn=50239 4&sort=pmrank&keywords=camcorder&ie=UTF8&qid=13019 74907&rnid=502394#/ref=sr_st_reviewrank_authority?sf=sbc&rh=n%3A17228 2%2Ck%3Acamcorder%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A502394%2Cn%3 A172421&bbn=502394&sort=reviewrank_authority&keywo rds=camcorder&ie=UTF8&qid=1301974916

If I were you, Id start out cheap, like a Flip or Playsport, and save some dough for a new computer. Without a newer computer, you'll have no way to do anything with the video.