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General discussion

HELP! Can't find one camera with all the features I need...

Jan 5, 2011 6:05AM PST

I've been trying for days to find a camera with these features:

1. Small
2. Mic input
3. Wireless or wired remote zoom, or LANC input
4. Under $400

SD or HD does not matter to me. The Canon FS200 comes close, but has no remote zoom. Likewise, I've seen Sony models with the zoom but no mic input. If the camera has a LANC input, I could buy a remote zoom.

Anyone know of one that combines all the above features?

Thanks for any help!

Mark

Discussion is locked

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There is no sub-$400 camcorder with a LANC port, BUT
Jan 6, 2011 2:07AM PST
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right...
Jan 6, 2011 3:25AM PST

Yeah, I just found that one, too! Looks like it's my only option - thanks.

I can convert the files into MPEGs, right?

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Once you get the video into the computer,
Jan 6, 2011 10:39AM PST

the right tools can convert to whatever you need.

I like MPEG StreamClip www.squared5.com and HandBrake www.handbrake.fr

VLC Player is handy. ANY dealing with AVCHD compressed MTS (M2TS or TOD) files cam be painful if the computer is underpowered. Even "just" transcoding t get to a useful format. Since we don't know you computer hardware environment, we don't know how painful it might be for you.

And not that it is any of my business, but assuming you edit the video, what are your video file archive plans for original video you might need in... 5 or 10 or 15 years - or further out? Or does this not matter?