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New to Video Editing
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dragonbong
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Canada
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Apr 19, 2002, 05:18 PM
 
Just wondering if the Canon zr45 is a good camcorder and if it works properly with imovie or fcp3. I'm just intending to do very amateur work with the camera, usual stuff like recording huge events, or just everyday stuff. Will be using an ibook. Also what else should i be looking for besides ccd and optical and digital zoom?
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direktor
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Apr 19, 2002, 09:07 PM
 
Also what else should i be looking for besides ccd and optical and digital zoom?
Pretty much all of the Canons are supported in iMovie and FCP. I haven't looked for your particular one, but I'd imagine it's covered.

A note: all modern camcorders have ccd's, as well as optical zooms. What you do NOT need is digital zoom. Digital zoom is a feature dreamed up by the manufacturers to reel in people who do their camcorder shopping by zoom length. The magnification factor of a zoom is probably the most overrated feature ever...most of the time you'll find yourself wishing you could be WIDER when you're taping your family opening x-mas presents or the like.
Digital zoom looks terrible, and the natural optical zoom usually will get you as tight as you'd ever need to be.
     
PeteWK
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Join Date: Jan 2001
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Apr 20, 2002, 02:58 AM
 
I would avoid the model ZR 20. All the other ones are very nice machines depending on what you want to do. I am a little sweet on Sony's though.

PeteWK
     
g3_brandon
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
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Apr 21, 2002, 04:35 PM
 
I have a ZR20, and no problems with it. The ZR25 and ZR30 just add photo taking capabilities . These are not good because a digital camcorder should be used for video, the pictures they produce are bad. The best stills I have seen from a camcorder are 1 megapixel. I do agree, digital zoom is worthless.

I would suggest using MiniDV tapes as opposed to Digital 8, the Mini DV yields better audio. In the Canon lineup, either get the base end ZR series, or go to the step up beyond the ZR series (I think this is the Optura Pi)
Brandon
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