  CNET editors' camcorder buying guide:
What else should I buy? What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies. What else should I buy?If you buy a cassette-based camcorder, you'll probably be able to drop a tape in your camcorder and start recording as soon as you open the box and charge the battery. But before you can download the video to your computer for editing, you'll have to make sure your PC and software have the right connectivity. Many tape-based models and all tapeless models support downloading via USB 2.0, but you should verify that your operating system and hardware support it. Furthermore, though all models have a USB 2.0 port, some still restrict its use to downloading strictly from the memory card. You'll need to make sure your model really does use it for video. Otherwise, you'll need a FireWire connection. In that case, you'll definitely need to buy a FireWire cable (very few models bundle them), but you might also need to add an internal card to your PC. Accessories: Essentials | Options Essentials
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...all you need is a FireWire cable with the matching connectors.  |
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| If you don't have a FireWire port, you'll have to add a FireWire adapter card. | |||||||
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Options
To take still photos (camera permitting) |
Options |
Best for which users? |
| A memory card for saving those photos | Home and vacation moviemaker; trendsetter; business videographer | |
| A card reader for quickly downloading still images to the PC | Home and vacation moviemaker; trendsetter; business videographer | |
To edit video |
Options |
Best for which users? |
| Quick-and-dirty editing software | Home and vacation moviemaker; trendsetter; budget buyer | |
| Professional-quality video-editing software | Independent filmmaker; business videographer | |
| Video display | Independent filmmaker, business videographer | |
To output video |
Options |
Best for which users? |
| DVD-recordable drive (for creating discs playable in a PC or in a standalone DVD drive) | Trendsetter; independent filmmaker; business videographer | |
| VCR with S-Video input (if camcorder has S-Video-output connector) to create VHS tapes | Home and vacation moviemaker; business videographer; budget buyer |
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