Help..Picking a video camera

We are looking to replace our video camera.  We video our family but want something to use in taking videos of our calves.  I have heard that the newer HD cameras need a converter to place on the web.  Anyone have one they really like the resolution, ease of use and affordable?  I will take any thoughts or comments good or bad about cameras!

Don't get a SONY , POUR VIEW FINDER IF OUT IN THE SUN, SENT MOVIES FROM IT FOR OUR SALE  OFF OF THE CHIP, PEOPLE SAID OUR hITACHI WAS LOT BETTER QUALITY PICTURE , WANTED TO TRY THE DISC BUT HAD TO BUY A PROGRAM TO MAKE THE sONY TRANSFER , EXCEPTIONALLY COMPLICATED WITH LITTLE RESULTS ...AN NEITHER ONE ARE MADE IN THE GOOD OLD usa-------

Thanks I need all the input, good and bad to help make this decision!

What is your budget on your camera?  I have extensive background with video and I can help you but I need to know how much you are wanting to spend.

Thanks, I would like to stay $500.00 or under.  Is that realistic?

I want to the same thing for our private treaty sale in the fall.  I have been thinking about doing on of these mini hd cameras.  I guess the main concern would be image stabilization, however they do have tripods available.  I do know that youtube is getting a lot more hd videos on there.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Camcorder-Storage-Digital/dp/B001LK8P14/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238987851&sr=8-1

According to the consumer reports magazine this small mini recorder does not have good resolution when you go to the web.  You tube videos seem to be grainy sometimes and that is fine for those, but I want good resolution for our cattel, I am sure you do too.  Everything I am reading it seems that JVC and Cannon are rated the best from users and reports.  Just confused on what all I need and what is just "extras" not needed.  Could still use some advice and inputs :

Preventing grainy web video will have more to do with the software you use to put it online than the quality of your camera.  Other than having cattle setup properly...

1 - A tripod will make a bigger difference in the quality of your video than anything else you do.
2 - After that, getting the right lighting is most important (and the hardest).
3 - Then the quality of the software you use to upload the videos/edit them.
4 - Finally, the quality of the camera.  I put it last because they are freaking cheap now and you can get HD camcorders that will fit on your pocket.

The tripod does wonder's for you picture quality, the one we have is easy to handle ,I use mine in the pasture even cause it helps so much .very light an easy to fold up or extend.

OKAY $500.00....this makes it harder cause the manufacturers really cut costs on the cameras in this range because this segment is loaded with "price shoppers" only.  I would stick with the a major brand like Sony or Canon and BE SURE TO BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THE STORE OFFERS FOR IT!!!!  This has paid off for me more times than I can tell you.  For a camera in that range you talking 40-75 extra bucks.

Do you have MAC or PC?  I hope you have a MAC because capturing your video and editing it will be much easier and you will not lose any quality and best of all the software is built in the OS.  If you have PC then you are going to have to invest in some software to edit your video.  DON'T USE WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER IT SUCKS.  You will lose tons of quality using this application.  There are plenty of 3rd party apps out there for a PC just do a google search and you'll have more than you can shake a stick at.

What kind of connections do you have on your PC / MAC?  If you are PC then I hope you have a firewire connection.  If you are USB only then before you leave the store you will have to buy a special cable to go from your camera to USB.  Most cameras nowadays are firewire.

Windows Movie Maker 6 can output in 1080p.  What exactly are you shooting in that would lose tons of quality down to 1080p?

I'm a little late to the party, but I thought I would weight in. I purchased a Panasonic PV-GS300 last year to do our video work. The camera was under $500 and a decent tripod could be had for around $50. The thing I like about the camera is the 3CCD chip which allows for better color capture and an overall better image on the camera. So far I have been very pleased with the way it performs. It also connects beautfully through FireWire and i haven't had a problem capturing video through Vista.

Great point....getting a camera with a 3CCD chip is a must.

I don't want to get into a MAC vs. Windows here but as a user of both systems MAC is much more suited to work with video than Windows.

Most of all have fun with it no matter what you get.

It's not a mac vs pc debate, just clarifying something.

You made claims about Windows Move Maker losing "tons of quality" when it can output in 1080p.  What exactly were you speaking of?

here is vado in hd, actually you probably need to click on the hd button at the bottom, it defaults to standard def.  Be forewarned it can be choppy if you have an older processor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2-EkUo0WrQ&feature=related