"Throw-away" Camcorder as Deck Recommendations

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farfromsubtle

Well-known member
So, the firewire port on my iBook is dead, and there is no way I am replacing it (you have to replace the motherboard to replace an iBook Firewire).

So, as a band-aid solution, untill I get my MacBook Pro, I have decided to pick up a "throw-away" camcorder to use as my deck, which of course, needs to log footage with USB 2.0.

Does anyone have any reccommendations that they have first-hand experience with?

I need to be certain that the USB logging works fine with FCP and there is no restrictions (I have heard that cheap Samsung camcorders only capture at 320x240!)

Thanks in advance!
 
USB won't do it. At least I've never heard of any camera being able to put out all the data via the USB port.
 
Just found this online:
"The new Panasonic PV-GS400 has USB 2.0 high speed capability of 480 Mbps which will allow transfer of video in real time similar to IEEE1394. However, the software that comes with the GS400 is the only means to transfer high bit rate digital video from the camcorder via USB. Its quality is not yet verified."

http://www.pana3ccduser.com/article.php?filename=Firewire-and-the-Panasonic-3CCD-Camcorder

Can't confirm, but worth checking out yourself, maybe.

EDIT: sorry, looks like their USB capturing software is PC only (not Mac).
 
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I dunno. I wouldn't trust it:
"The new Panasonic PV-GS400 has USB 2.0 high speed capability of 480 Mbps which will allow transfer of video in real time similar to IEEE1394. However, the software that comes with the GS400 is the only means to transfer high bit rate digital video from the camcorder via USB. Its quality is not yet verified. "

I assumed that that was for internet-quality video, but that was just my assumtion.

Besides, the 400 is an awful expensive throw-away solution. I'd just go 1394 and get the cheapest used camcorder you can.
 
Hmmm... seems like I am out of luck untill I get my new Mac. :furious3:

lpcvideo1 said:
I'd just go 1394 and get the cheapest used camcorder you can.
Click to expand...

Remember, I can't- The firewire is busted. ;)

I'm a little fed up with firewire.
 
usb 2.0 can achieve up to 480 mb/s but it isnt a sustained transfer speed. firewire is pretty much sustained at 400 mb/s so the transfer if digital video can be at a greater quality. so yeah, you're probably gonna have to wait to get your new mac. that really sucks about your firewire port.
 
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