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CNET editors' camcorder buying guide: What else should I buy?

CNET editors' camcorder buying guide
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What else should I buy?
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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 is set up for a FireWire connection. At best, you'll simply have to buy a FireWire cable; at worst, you'll need to add an internal card to your PC.

Accessories: Essentials | Options

Essentials
To copy video from a camcorder to a computer
If your system has a FireWire/IEEE 1394 port, which looks like these...
4-pin FireWire port
Four-pin FireWire
6-pin FireWire port
Six-pin FireWire

...all you need is a FireWire cable with the matching connectors.

FireWire cable
If you don't have a FireWire port, you'll have to add a FireWire adapter card.
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?
  CD-recordable drive (for PC-playable AVI and VCD files) and burning software Home and vacation moviemaker; budget buyer
  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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