Steve Fosdick wrote:

Does anyone have any experience of or recommendation for a camcorder?

For me the top priority would be able to make backup copies of the video without resorting to proprietary software, i.e. it would need to record on media that be directly read under Linux or use a communication protocol for which there is a Linux implementation.

It would also be good if the video/audio codecs used by the camcorder had a Linux implementation, at least for decoding, so that I could edit the video if I want to or watch it on the PC.

Of course, if I can not play the video under Linux I would also want some way to be able to transfer it back to the camcorder for watching on the TV should the need arise.

TiA, Steve.

Hi Steve,

Have you tried Kino? http://www.kinodv.org/

This will allow you to import and export via firewire from DV camcorders. Or probably any other firewire device that pretends to be a video camera.

I don't know how well it'll work with HD camcorders. I haven't used it myself for a while, but it still seems to be in active development.

HTH

Chris