HD Camcorder compatible with Mac - which should I get?

My camcorder records in VOB which isn't supported, my camera records in MOV, which isn't supported either. So now I am looking for a good quality camcorder that will "plug and play" into my mac. . . . any ideas?

That's a really loaded question. There are so many camcorders out there that work with Mac that are quality camcorders. You need to answer some questions for both us and yourself before camcorder suggestions can be made to really suit your needs. A camcorder that "works with Mac" as a specification is too broad.

I wrote this thread on the topic of finding the right camcorder a week or so ago:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/movies-video/211612-how-choose-your-camcorder.html

Knowing your own needs, wants, budget, software you plan to use with it, etc. will go a long way to choosing the right camcorder to fit you.

I really appreciated your guide to buying a camcorder. There is so much information to take in. I did a little online research on reviews and went to the apple site on compatibility issues. There are several video reviews on the internet of various camcorders. I was just about to buy a certain one and then watched the video review of it. It said "if you want to video the moon then this is the one you need" or something like that (because of the zoom). I realized I don't need anything like that, or with any type of extensive zoom. So I looked more. I liked most of the reviews of the Canon Vixia R10 and it seemed to fit my needs. I'm just at entry level and I liked the price ($349 with a promo code) so I ordered it yesterday. I've never even opened iMovie so this will be interesting.

Basically, if the Apple Store is selling it, it's guaranteed to be compatible with current OS and software. That's what I usually tell people who want to know what (peripheral) to buy.

macalack said:

My camcorder records in VOB which isn't supported, my camera records in MOV, which isn't supported either. So now I am looking for a good quality camcorder that will "plug and play" into my mac. . . . any ideas?

Click to expand...

What are you working with...? Yes MAC supports MOV...and VOB can be done without much hassle...

chas_m said:

Basically, if the Apple Store is selling it, it's guaranteed to be compatible with current OS and software. That's what I usually tell people who want to know what (peripheral) to buy.

Click to expand...

Although that may answer what will be compatible with a Mac (and note to the OP, those cameras listed aren't the only ones compatible with a Mac, they are just the ones that Apple carries) - it doesn't answer the other issue the OP still needs to determine - which camera is right for him/her.

Never realized the apple store carried camcorders. I don't frequent the site since I do not want to be enticed into a new Macbook. The store offers very few camcorders and none of the new Canon Vixia models that record to an internal hard drive. I did see one that looked nifty for $8,000.

Yeah, they have a couple of nice dream cameras. Although they don't carry the one I have (the Panasonic HMC-40) nor the one I would love to have (Panasonic HMC-150).

I also noticed they don't carry any Sony camcorders.

Sony and apple are not friends. There are ways to download the Sony video (HD) as per the apple website, but I have seen posts with issues that have risen from that.

Great idea to go to the website! That certainly simplifies things!

Some yes, some no. If you look at: iMovie '09: Camcorder Support you will see a list of camcorders reporting to be compatible with iMovie, as well as any notes on them. If you determine your needs and budget, then find a camera that meets those needs on the list (assuming you use iMovie, if you use FCE or FCP there is a different list) you should do fine.

If you want to just go and buy one from Apples website, that's fine too. Either way, I strongly suggest you determine your needs and wants before buying a camcorder.