The business I work for is interested in purchasing a prosumer-lever camcorder videotape musical performances and interviews, and I thought I'd check here on the off-chance that any of you wonderfully camera-minded individuals might have recommendations for what we need. It turns out that the world of video cameras is not a small one, and I'm slightly overwhelmed.
Here's what we need, features-wise:
-My boss requested 2 XLR inputs, but a MIC input for a mixer should work just as well or better;
-Obviously we'll be shooting HD;
-and it needs to write a filetype that is compatible with Avid Media Composer for Mac, and FinalCut Pro for Mac.
That's it. We don't care about things like image stabilization, still photos, good shooting in low light, et cetera. It just needs to shoot HD, have good audio input capability, and work with the software we already have.
Thank you so much for your input and guidance!
-LW
Lovely Wednesday wrote: The business I work for is interested in purchasing a prosumer-lever camcorder videotape musical performances and interviews, and I thought I'd check here on the off-chance that any of you wonderfully camera-minded individuals might have recommendations for what we need. It turns out that the world of video cameras is not a small one, and I'm slightly overwhelmed.
Here's what we need, features-wise:
-My boss requested 2 XLR inputs, but a MIC input for a mixer should work just as well or better;
-Obviously we'll be shooting HD;
-and it needs to write a filetype that is compatible with Avid Media Composer for Mac, and FinalCut Pro for Mac.
That's it. We don't care about things like image stabilization, still photos, good shooting in low light, et cetera. It just needs to shoot HD, have good audio input capability, and work with the software we already have.
Thank you so much for your input and guidance!
-LW
Try these links below.
The Canon VIXIA XA10 might work for you.
I was also going to suggest the Vixa XA 10. It is the lowest price that will get you the XLR plugs. And I really suggest you go for the XLR over those minijacks if you are going to be doing a bit of work. You are looking at $2000 for the XA10. If you need to save $400 then the very same camera is available without the XLR and handle. It is the Vixa HF G10. It cost about $1,300.
If your budget gets into the 3-5k range then there are some amazing options out there, including large sensor 4K capable cameras that will create huge uncompressed raw files. Of course you are going to need a monster computer to edit on.
So go somewhere and play with the XA 10 then order it from B&H, Adorama or Amazon. Good luck with it!
R_Marquez
Posts: 4,575
San Francisco, California, US
I also like the Canon XA 10. The sensor/lens combo is pretty decent and performs well in low-light situations.
At that price range, Sony, and Panasonic also have good options. I almost bought a Panasonic HMC 80, which is beefier shoulder-mounted camcorder that does 1080i but it's not great in low light. There's also the HMC 150, which is overall, a better performer. I don't know if they sell these new still.
William Westerhoff wrote: You can buy a small XLR to mini stereo adapter that will allow you to use professional audio equipment with most video cameras.
One of the biggest benefits of an XLR connector is that it much more reliable than a 1/8" connector. The cables are also better and most XLR connectors are "balanced" and also shielded. XLR also provides phantom power to power on condensor microphones.
Around $2K is the lowest priced camera with XLR inputs I know of. You CAN get a Beachtk box which will add XLR inputs to any camera with a mini plug for a Mic. You can also go more pro and shoot double system sound using a ZOOM H4n (http://www.samys.com/p/All-Products/ZH4 … 34658.html) for about $300. It has XLR inputs. Add a Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun Mic, a boom pole and you are off and running.
Lovely Wednesday wrote: The business I work for is interested in purchasing a prosumer-lever camcorder videotape musical performances and interviews, and I thought I'd check here on the off-chance that any of you wonderfully camera-minded individuals might have recommendations for what we need. It turns out that the world of video cameras is not a small one, and I'm slightly overwhelmed.
Here's what we need, features-wise:
-My boss requested 2 XLR inputs, but a MIC input for a mixer should work just as well or better;
-Obviously we'll be shooting HD;
-and it needs to write a filetype that is compatible with Avid Media Composer for Mac, and FinalCut Pro for Mac.
That's it. We don't care about things like image stabilization, still photos, good shooting in low light, et cetera. It just needs to shoot HD, have good audio input capability, and work with the software we already have.
Thank you so much for your input and guidance!
-LW
I have a Canon 7D which I use to shoot films and music videos and I edit in FCP. I have had my 7D for about a year and if I had to do it all over again I would have painfully waited for the 5D MK III, because of the 1.6 crop senor the 7D has. Canon just release their 5 MK III. It is both the 7D & 5D MK II in one and cost a pretty penny too.
Generally, you want to record your sound separately from your film. That's industry standard. Recording separate gives you more control and less headaches. I use a Zoom H4N and run a boom mic with XLR cable. The Zoom gives you options to run 2 XLR or 2 1/4" cable inputs. You may want to check a software called PluralEyes. PluralEyes will auto sync your recorded sound from your recording device with the camera's recorded sound. Let time in post, means you can move on to the next project.
Sure the audio is included on Prosumer cameras!! Go over to www.BandH.com and you will find a bunch. I do a lot of video work both with a prosumera camera with built in XLR jacks right on the camera and I also do video work with my Nikon HDSLR where I record my audio to a ZOOM H4N then sync it to the video later on using a program called Pluraleyes. All the top camera companies have prosumers cameras with XLR inputs.
Take a look at the Sony PMW-100.
Small versitile, XLRs, zoom, HD and tapeless!
HD on tape is always HDV, and that's not the best codec when things move and not really full HD.
Recording audio seperately is only extra work and extra effort.
(It's a must with DSLRs, because DSLR audio s#cks. It's done separetly in Hollywood, because that's easier in complex grip situations. But with a good prosumer with XLR inputs you don't have to spend the extra time syncing sound in post.)
The only plus with separate audiorecording is the freedom for the audioguy/girl. He/she can move around independently from the camera.
(I use a transmitter to cennect the audioperson to my camera.)
Offcourse you can record audio at higher bitrates and frequencies on a good recorder, but I hardly ever need extra high quality audio myself. That's for extreme audio filtering.
All camera's with XLR inputs record at 16-bit and 48 kHz : the standard.
Using XLR inputs gives you audio that's always sync without spending time to sync it in post :-)
Derrick L Cleveland wrote: Generally, you want to record your sound separately from your film. That's industry standard. Recording separate gives you more control and less headaches.
Less headaches?
Maybe with a DSLR. ;-)
What control are you talking about?
Any serious camera with XLR inputs has hard-button gain controls.
nwprophoto wrote: Probably not going to find a prosumer level camera with XLR inputs.
Those usually only come on pro rigs.
you might try Canon 5D Mark II or 7D and get a JuicedLink DT454 (4 mic control - 2 XLR + 3.5mm stereo + Phantom Power + Meter + Headphone + AGC Disabler) and get a portable recorder if you don't want to record in camera - i recommend the Zoom H4n - get a shotgun mic too
Rude Bwoy wrote: Can you really shoot good quality in a camera & how easy is the editing if you've never done it before ?
Yes, it can be done, but practise is probably the way one improves.
So the first time it may be crap.
Few things to consider: don't believethe brightness of the viewer.
Only zebra will give you a real indication of brightness. (Set at 100% is show which parts are overexposed. Set at 70% you see whether caucasian skintones are approximately properly exposed.)
Editing takes time to learn.
First you need to learn to know your software. (It's like driving: you need to know what things do and how they react.)
Then you can start to learn to edit.
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BTW, this is mostly a photography community, so almost everybody will recommend a DSLR, because that's the only tool they know.
Shooting with a DSLR out of the box is practicly impossible: you need to hack the firmware to get proper viewing aids like zebra or peaking that are industry standard since the 80s. You need an extra external audiorecorder to record audio.
Most DSLR's have a limited recordingtime: most Canons 12 minutes, some approx 22 minutes. (This can be a problem when shooting performances.)
A GH2, however, can record forever untill you run out of memory.
The same goes for camcorders with dual memory slots.
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