"panasonic regular camcorder" is. Sounds like it records standard definition video to flash memory or hard disc drive. The MOD/MPG files can be converted to WMV files using a "transcoder" like MPEG StreamClip or HandBrake (both are free - there are many others). MovieMaker can deal with WMV files for editing. After editing, render - or export or share - the completed project to a high quality WMV or AVI. Use a DVD authoring application (WinDVD, MyDVD - many others) to render the video file. The DVD authoring app will compress the video into a VOB file format burned to the DVD that can be played in any DVD player (including the DVD player in a computer). A single layer blank DVD can hold up to 120 minutes of this standard definition video or up to 4.7 gig of data. A double layer blank DVD can hold up to 240 minutes of this standard definition video or up to 8.5 gig of data. There *should* be no "loss in quality" assuming there is no compression until the last step in the DVD rendering to VOB.
I need a new camcorder. I've spent the last two years filming with a panasonic regular camcorder that was H*LL to convert into mpg/avi in order to work with editing/clips/etc using windows movie maker. I did eventually get it done-- but usually lost quality.
An additional problem I ran into-- was if the basketball game ran too long-- I couldn't get it all onto a 4.7 gb DVD-- which to me is annoying for a 40-50 minute game.
Anyway-- it was suggested we buy a high definition one-- BUT that I would then need a dual-layer burner in order to get an entire 50 minute session on one of those discs.
So my question is:
Best HD Camcorder in $600 range that has easily working formats- something suitable for mostly shooting basketball games from the stand or balcony on a tripod. Or tell me what it is I need to be sure to look for when purchasing one as described above......
THANK YOU for any help.

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