Hi Peeps. How are you all? Extremely well versed in forums/administering etc.

Anyhow, onto my camcorder question. I currently own two camcorders: Canon HV20: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-HV20-Camcorder-Review.htm and the JVC Everio MG20u: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GZ-MG30-Camcorder-Review.htm. I'm not a big fan of either altho the HV20 shows awesome HD footage for regular HDTV playback. What I mean is if I record my kids on the HV20, then plug the camcorder directly into the TV, it's video is beautiful. Forget the HG20 though, it's file format was har dto work with

So, I'm in the market for another camcorder. Preferably one that records onto hard media(memory sticks,Secure Digita, microSD,CompactFlash, xD-Picture Card,Memory Stick PRO, etc) or Hard drive.

This is what I would like to do: I want a camcorder that will allow me to hook it up to my computer via firewire, transfer the video easily in a "common" format(WMV, AVI, MPG, MOV etc), not a funky format that I will have to spend hours converting. I've looked at the "aiptek" ones and some others. but I need a REAL recomendation from you pros. I'm no pro video editor, but can use movie maker and some other things also.

Help!

Tony, the three alternative means of recording HD-video, on the good-quality camcorders we discuss most often here, are harddrives, DVDs and Flash memory cards. They all use the AVCHD format, which not only has a reduced picture quality, compared to HDV tape, but it is harder to edit and uses more computer power to do it. These three non-linear types of media are being promoted as easier to use than tape, but in fact, they have their own drawbacks. Tape has proven to be very durable and dependable and if you think that you will solve any problems by going to an AVCHD camcorder, you will have a surprise in store for you.

I'm going to disagree with Steve on one point. From what I'm seeing from the latest crop of AVCHD cams, I would no longer call their picture 'reduced picture quality'. In fact, footage I'm seeing from the Sony SR12 might be the best I've seen in a consumer HD camcorder. All owners thus far appear to be raving about PQ. I fully expect the new Canon HF10 and HF100 to be similar.

I think what Steve said used to be true, but, "times they are a changing". Increased bitrates, better sensors and noise reduction and improved compression schemes all contribute to the improvement in the new crop of AVCHD cams. We may be seeing AVCHD beginning to live up to its potential.

Of course editing is still not as easy as it is with HDV.

HI guys, thanks for the replies. Can I ask, what about the output format that would be and could be transferred to a computer? What format would it be? AVCHD? Can apps like Windows media player play it?

Yes Tony, WMP plays the AVCHD files. However, you may find that they play a bit jerky. Once you're playing 1920X1080 files that have even more information in them, it becomes a bit of a challenge for your computer. Depending on your computer, you may get smooth playback or a bit jerky. For me the computer is only used if I was going to edit the material. After seeing what these clips look like on my 60" Pioneer Kuro plasma, it's hard to look at them on the computer. :)

I find that Media Player Classic actually does a better job of playing these clips than WMP. There is also a codec, "CoreAVC" that helps play these clips smoother.

Thanks Ken. I run a quad core with 4 gigs of ram windows XP. I guess they would look better on my Samsung 62" DLP eh? lol

Anyhow, I just looking for something I can do HD video, save them on my computer and occasionally setup great looking youtube videos to share with my relatives in Finland. This ok for that? Any recs on cameras?

Also, is there a great video making tutorial for youtube?

Yes Tony, WMP plays the AVCHD files. However, you may find that they play a bit jerky. Once you're playing 1920X1080 files that have even more information in them, it becomes a bit of a challenge for your computer. Depending on your computer, you may get smooth playback or a bit jerky. For me the computer is only used if I was going to edit the material. After seeing what these clips look like on my 60" Pioneer Kuro plasma, it's hard to look at them on the computer. :)

I find that Media Player Classic actually does a better job of playing these clips than WMP. There is also a codec, "CoreAVC" that helps play these clips smoother.

I've never posted to Youtube, so I can't help you there. As for cams, it seems like the new Sonys and probably the new Canons will be 'best in class'. For Youtube these cams are really overkill, but if you'll really use their HD settings for viewing on your Sammy, then they are a good choice. Another website is extremely biased against AVCHD, but I sense they too are coming to grips with the significant improvement in this format.

I used to be very critical of AVCHD...no more. Seeing is believing.