I'm looking at buying a cheap (under $200) video camera and am wondering what I need to watch out for as far as compatibility with iMovie 08. I realize that iMovie can probably import just about any file format that current cameras use, but there may be some complications. Here's why. I want to be able to use an external microphone with the camera, and since none of the inexpensive cameras have an external mike input anymore, it means that I'll likely have to send live video from the camera to iMovie, and simultaneously live sound from an external mike to the sound input on my Mac. Am I overcomplicating things?

you don't mention which Mac you'll be using, but you might find an older Fire-wire Sony DV camera on ebay, or even Amazon. I have an older Sony TRV240 Digital 8 camera which has a hot shoe for a mic and jacks, too. it works fine with iMovie. I have also used a Canon ZR800 with similar results. it also has a mic input.

I have a MacBook Pro. I had to go dig out the user manual to find out exactly what all its connectors are for. I had mistakenly thought one of them would allow video input. I don't think any of the cheaper cameras have firewire. So I see that I'm not going to be able to do what I want with a cheap camera, unless I can find one that sends live video over USB.

Looks like I may have to find a used camera then.

Thanks.

be sure to look for "ilink" or "i-link" as well as "firewire". sony for example refuses to use standard connectors (so they can sell you $50 cables) and apple won't license the name or logo to them for this reason, so they had to rename it. sometimes they call it "1394". sony makes a variety of camcorders with 1394, some are affordable.

I looked at the Sonys, but I think they're out of my price range.

Maybe the simplest solution is to buy a cheap camera, get out the soldering iron, and hack on an external microphone jack.