To use your video on a computer, you should select a camera with a IEEE 1394 port. This is the same as Apple Computer's Firewire and Sony's iLink ports. (Note: Many camera manuals will say that the camera can be connected to a computer. However, most do so only with a USB cable. Which generally will work with most Windows platform editing software, but Macintosh iMovie will only work with Firewire (IEEE1394 or Sony iLink).

An A/V port will be needed to connect the camcorder directly to a TV. (Note: many times this requires a special manufactures only cable, which may be an optional purchase.)