[MacDV] What to buy?

[Owen Schmidt]

> Hello all,
> We are wanting to buy a Mac-based video system but don't have a lot of
> money. We are also confused about cameras and what will be compatible with
> Mac. Here are our questions.
> 1. We are considering the Sony camcorders, either TRV-22 or TRV-250. Neither
> of which will play Hi-8 tapes. How do we get our former Hi-8 footage into
> the Mac?
Buy one of the Sony Digital8 models, which will read the analog Hi8 tapes as
well as read/write in DV format to the same tapes.  The Sony DCR-TRV350 with
20x Optical/700x Digital Zoom should run less than $500.


> 2. What level of Mac and operating system do we need to handle these cameras
> and Final Cut Pro 4.0? Will a G-4 suffice?
Minimum system requirements for Final Cut Pro 4 is given at Apple's Web
site:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs.html


> 3. If we don't go with Final Cut Pro (due to money), will iMovie handle the
> Sony camcorders OK?
Yes.  I use this combination without adverse incident.  It works the same
with an older analog Hi8 tape as with a tape that was recorded on the same
camcorder.  Simply plug the FireWire cable into the Sony camcorder and the
Mac, and iMovie will automatically recognize and control the camera.


> Thanks for any help you can give novices!
> 
> Kate


oschmidt at att.net
Monday, December 15, 2003