[mackandproud]

OK, I have a new camcorder (Aiptek), and I want to shoot some video in HD!

I'm guessing that SDHC cards are necessary to shoot HD video. I know Sandisk is the industry leader in this area. Are there any other brands you would recommend? If I can save money while getting a comparable product, I will!

Here are some options:

1. Sandisk 8 GB SDHC:
Amazon.com: SanDisk 8GB Extreme SDHC Class 10 High Performance Memory Card (SDSDX3-008G-P31): Electronics

2. Transcend 16 GB SDHC:
Amazon.com: Transcend 16GB Class 10 SDHC Card (TS16GSDHC10): Electronics

Both are the same price and spec, yet the transcend is double the memory. So obviously, I'm tempted to get the transcend, unless the performance/quality of sandisk is clearly superior...

Any other recs welcome...

[mduell]

The Sandisk is a much faster card (thus the price premium), but the Transcend is fast enough for shooting AVCHD and friends. You want Class 4 or better for consumer HD video.

You can get 32GB for about double the price, I'd do that.

[mackandproud]

Thanks for the info!

I'm using an aiptek 1080p camcorder:

Amazon.com: Aiptek A-HD Pro 1080P High Definition Camcorder (Silver): Electronics

So I can get an even slower sdhc card and still be fine? If so, awesome. Saves me a little bit of scratch!

[mduell]

From reading the internets it sounds like H.264 in a QuickTime MOV container, so I expect the bitrates are low enough that Class 4 is fine.

The reviews of the Aiptek products are pretty grim; autofocus performance, etc. I guess it matches the price.

[mackandproud]

Yeah, I didn't wanna mention it, but aside from amazon.com, enthusiasts are not that enthused with aiptek!

I think it might be fine for my purposes, but there's another compact hd camcorder which seems to be getting really good reviews all around. It looks like a true plug n play camcorder, with a built in battery:

Amazon.com: Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black): Electronics

I may or may not hang onto the aiptek: the price and size for hd seemed really awesome!

[mduell]

Gizmodo liked the Flips when they did their compact camcorder battlemodo.

[mackandproud]

Nice find!

I've heard great things about the flip as well.

I gotta tell ya, the price made a difference. I picked up an aiptek 1080p at just $83 delivered! Plus, it's got the flexibility of swappable sd cards, so you can always increase capacity.

I can already see the concerns about video in low light situations however.

I bought it on a whim, I really don't have any video to shoot yet!