Need To Go Tapeless and Work With Mac. Prefer Drag and Drop

[RockStar]

Would really love some help guys ;-)

I have been researching like crazy but not finding exactly what I am looking for as of yet :-(

I love my Cannon HV30 which is great… but I hate the extra work involved to import the video over using something like iMovie.

I really need something I can turn on... record... and then hook up to my imac and drag and drop the videos files over.

I have mainly been using my Kodak Zi8 for most of my videos because of the ease of use and the simple drag and drop of the finished video (.mov) over to my iMac 2011.

I mainly use my cams for quick training and sales videos for my membership sites and youtube.

All my videos go on the web and usually I stick to about 720x405.

I use a wired lapel mic and plug it directly into the Zi8 Here is the mic: http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-mono.html

about 1-3 times a year I will be using the camcorder to record live seminars that will last 5-10 hours a day for 2-3 days as well.

I am looking to step up my camera from the Zi8 but need to keep it tape-less but keep it under $1,000

The most important features for me are:

1. Has mic input and would be great if it was "plug-in power," that has voltage outputs from between 1.5 to 9 volts

2. Records in .mov or .mp4 and or can just drag and drop the finished file over like I do now with the Zi8 (Mac compatible)

3. Would be great if it has a viewfinder that could rotate/ swivel for self shot videos like the HV30 has

4. Must be tapeless

5. Would be great if I could use my current wide angle lens and hood cover so I wont need to purchase a new one. I understand I might need to buy a new ring though.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance guys :-)

[cgbier]

About any camcorder will do what you want. Check Apple's compatibility list for iMovie: http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras...tml?lang=en_US

Don't forget that iMovie will still transcode your footage to AIC, so there still is a little time consumption involved. For quick ingest and turnaround, I'd suggest to cough up the 300 bucks for FCP X. You can afford both, camera and software with your budget.

For your W/A lens you'd have to do the research yourself. We don't know the size of your filter threads.

[Almohada]

At first glance I thought it said topless!

[RockStar]

About any camcorder will do what you want. Check Apple's compatibility list for iMovie: http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras...tml?lang=en_US

Don't forget that iMovie will still transcode your footage to AIC, so there still is a little time consumption involved. For quick ingest and turnaround, I'd suggest to cough up the 300 bucks for FCP X. You can afford both, camera and software with your budget.

For your W/A lens you'd have to do the research yourself. We don't know the size of your filter threads.

Need: Records in .mov or .mp4 and or can just drag and drop the finished file over like I do now with the Zi8 (Mac compatible)

I really dont want to use anything other than screenflow or camtasia to edit my videos. Its alot faster for me to do this and works perfect for my business.

So I need a solution to just take the video file from the cam plug it into my macbook air via USB and drag the file from cam to mba. Then just drop it into the screenflow (screen capture program) then I can edit it real quick and do the rest.... etc

But the files need to be either .mov or mp4 like the Kodak Zi8 and Playtouch record in.

[RockStar]

At first glance I thought it said topless!

Topless is a good feature as well...lol

[Fred Dwyer]

Take a look at Canon VIXIA HF M52. http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...anon+VIXIA+New

[vince]

Or any refurbished ones on the Canon website

[HD-tography]

Take a look at Canon VIXIA HF M52. http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...anon+VIXIA+New

From the manufacturer: "enjoy the convenience of recording in AVCHD or MP4 format [...] choose to record in AVCHD for the highest quality viewing on an HDTV or archiving, or in MP4 format for easy sharing with mobile devices or cloud applications."

Interesting how the new "M" series also now shoots in mp4... NOT a good capture container/codec for any serious work but I suppose it makes it more convenient for down and dirty quick edits. Those cameras are a little too small for me but at least they put the new pro sensor in them... I stick to using the HF S series and up, as in HF S200, S20, S21, S30, G10, XA10, XF100, etc. Just can't handle not having a LANC control, 58mm threads, and a respectable size body.

However those new HF M series (HF M500, M50, M52) would give the OP everything he needs and more, so I second this suggestion.

[cgbier]

... and don't forget a viewfinder.

[Fred Dwyer]

I have an HF S20 and an HF G10, love the G10. I typically shoot with 2 manned, and one fixed position, camera. My old HV 30 gave me some trouble on one weekend, but I couldn't justify spending too much to replace it, so I ordered the HF M52 based on the new sensor. I am very pleased with it. Like the G10, it produces a really clean sharp image in very limited light. Now I just want 3rd party DECODED batteries for it, and the S20 will be relegated to the fixed camera position. As a side note, really nothing wrong with the HV 30 that a head cleaning didn't fix. It ran as a fourth camera that next weekend and performed fine, although it color balances far too blue to match the other 3 cameras.