Video Camera for Powermac G5

[ImperialGuardsman]

Hello everyone!

I am traditionally a Windows man (especially the older flavors of Windows) but I also have an old Powermac G5 2.5Ghz Quad with an Nvidia Quadro 4500 and 16Gb of ram. I also have Final Cut Pro 6 and am running OS X 10.5.8.

I wanted to see if any of you had suggestions for video cameras that would work with this machine. I am not sure if modern cameras are using advanced codecs that this machine cannot understand. I'm looking for something that can record at least HD 1080p and can use a Firewire 800 connection to move video to the computer (no need to live stream it though). If it can also accept an external microphone, that would be great too My machine can certainly play back HD video, so I imagine it would do alright working with it.

It has been a long time since I have worked with video (Jr. High and early High school) and I never really knew anything about the cameras we used.

Thank you all very much for your help.

 

[kenrivers]

If you want a camcorder that used FireWire then you will more than likely have to find something used from a reputable dealer or take a chance on one that is listed as new on some bidding site.

Used Sony HDR-HC7 - it is HDV and 1440x1080i - for $399.95

If you are willing to spend a bit more for 1080p then there is the used Panasonic AG-AC160AVCCAM - for $2,895.00

The FireWire camcorders with full HD (1920x1080) and progressive tend to be more expensive than the HDV (1440x1080) interlaced camcorders.

 

[ImperialGuardsman]

If you want a camcorder that used FireWire then you will more than likely have to find something used from a reputable dealer or take a chance on one that is listed as new on some bidding site.

Used Sony HDR-HC7 - it is HDV and 1440x1080i - for $399.95

If you are willing to spend a bit more for 1080p then there is the used Panasonic AG-AC160AVCCAM - for $2,895.00

The FireWire camcorders with full HD (1920x1080) and progressive tend to be more expensive than the HDV (1440x1080) interlaced camcorders.

Thanks for the input! Looks like they can be quite pricey! I'll look more closely next paycheck. I take it that firewire has been supplanted by thunderbolt and USB 3.0 in the camera world, correct?

 

[kenrivers]

The most common media for newer camcorders is SD cards and some have internal flash storage. If you have a card reader that reads the newer SD cards then a newer camcorder should work with your iMac.

 

[ImperialGuardsman]

The most common media for newer camcorders is SD cards and some have internal flash storage. If you have a card reader that reads the newer SD cards then a newer camcorder should work with your iMac.

Great, I'll keep that in mind! This has been quite helpful.