Camcorders compatible with Mac computer?

Robin Weelborg: Which Mac? What is your budget?I have used Sony, Canon, Panasonic and JVC miniDV tape based camcorders with my Macs - into iMovie and FinalCut - no problems, works great. Just need to use a firewire cable - USB won't work (and they don't with Windows computers to transfer DV/HDV quality video, so no difference there). If you have a MacBook made between October 2008 and June 2009, it does not ahve a firewire port. Also, the MacBook Air has no firewire port... in both cases, there is no way to add one so your only choice is flash memory (acceptable, but not as good as miniDV tape) or hard disc drive (not recommended). All other Macs made in the last 10+ years have a firewire port.If you are using standard definition flash memory camcorders (like the Canon FS series) or standard definition hard disc drive camcorders (like the Sony DCR-SR series), you need to convert the files - StreamClip works wellhttp://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegst...If you a! re using high definition flash memory camcorders (like the Canon HF or Sony HDR-CX series) or high definition hard disc drive camcorders (like the Sony HDR-XR or Canon HG series), you need to be using an Intel-chip based Mac with the current version of FinalCut that can deal with AVCHD/MTS files.HDD and flash memory camcorders copy files over USB; then convert; then drag the converted file to the Log & capture area. MiniDV tape camcorders import video directly into the Log & capture area of the video editor.There is no such thing as a Mac camcorder or PC camcorder. In most instances, the camcorder may include software in the box that is Windows based - that does not mean the camcorder won't work with a Mac, it just means the Mac software is either already on your Mac or a free download away.Other handy tools:Flip4Machttp://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/flip4m...for Windows-format video to play back in QuickTime.http://www.videolan.org/for VLC playerThere are others, ! but this is a good start......Show more

Renay Billiar: I! would suggest an HDV tape camcorder as they work well with almost all Mac apps (iLife, FCE, FCP, Premiere, AE), and work well on both PPC (G5 suggested) and Intel Macs. Although the latest iLife and Final Cut versions do support AVCHD (except for the DVD models), it requires a more powerful machine (Intel only) to work with, and the quality is not as good as HDV. The Canon HV20 is a very popular and capable HDV camcorder. The Sony HDV models such as the HC7 are also good....Show more