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Question about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder?

Hey guys, I'm an aspiring filmaker who wants a camera that will shoot in good quality (for youtube) and will suit my short film needs. Is this the right camera? Also, what type of files does this camera shoot in? I mean like .mov .jpeg .gif ect... because i bought a camera that only shot in .mov which is incompatible with windows movie maker, sony vegas, and adobe programs. THANK YOU

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1. The Canon HV40 captures standard definition DV and high definition HDV format video to miniDV tape. DV and HDV are the formats used by most camcorder in the $1,600 and up, prosumer through professional (up through the Canon XLH series). DV and HDV are essentially low-compression digital video (HDV is MPEG-2). This is one of the reasons the professionals like it. The low video compression means less discarded data and higher potential video quality. At 25mbps, the lesser consumer grade MPG and AVCHD compression schemes cannot keep up - they compress a lot more resulting in more discarded video data and resulted reduced video quality. The Canon HV40 is the least expensive camcorder available recording to miniDV tape that has a mic jack and manual audio control. Its Sony "competition" is the Sony HDR-HC9. The HV40 can do 24p and 30p captures - and is the least expensive camcorder with this flexibility. The HV40, in HDV mode can capture 1080i high definition video. If better XLR mics are needed, then using an XLR adapter like those from juicedLink or BeachTek works great. Using a DoF adapter from Letus (and others) along with 35mm lenses can provide awesome depth of field can be accomplished. As a miniDV tape based camcorder, the only way you will get video (standard def or high def) into a computer is by connecting a firewire cable (not USB) to the camcorder's DV port (not USB), and the computer's firewire port (not USB). The video editor must be able to deal with HDV format video if HDV is to be imported. USB will not work. USB-to-firewire cable/converter/adapter things will not work. If your computer does not have an available firewire port, hopefully it has an available expansion slot so you can add one. You did not tell us which version of "windows movie maker, sony vegas, and adobe programs". Most of the recent Sony Vegas and Adobe apps should be OK with HDV. Only the current MovieMaker Live on Windows 7 can deal with HDV format video. If you want to shoot like the pros, the HV40 and HC9 are the best consumer cams to do that. BUT, they are consumer cams and with all consumer cams, they have small lenses and small imaging chip so their low light behavior is not so good (it will be grainy). ++++++++ Consumer grade still cameras that happen to capture video typically capture to MOV (or AVI) format. Use MPEG StreamClip or HandBrake to transcode it - convert the file - to a format your editor can deal with. Use the least amount of compression (the video files will be huge). The only other camcorders that can record directly to MOV format that I know of are the JVC GY-HM100 and the GY-HD series pro-grade camcorders. The difference between these JVCs and the consumer MOV format is the consumer versions are really compressed video in those MOV file envelopes - the JV's are not as compressed. ++++++++ There's a lot more, but the simplest questions can tend to have long and complex answers...
2. The Canon HV40 is the least expensive camcorder that make you recording to miniDV tape.It has a Native 24p Mode, this is a feature previously found only on Canon's professional camcorders. Native 24p Mode allows 24 frames per second, instead of the standard 60i, to be captured and recorded. It is a must for serious filmmaking work, as 24 frames per second is the frame rate of film. Another pro-level feature of the VIXIA HV40 is the Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminal on the camcorder. Attach available extras such as a Canon VFL-1 video light or a Canon DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone without additional wires or batteries. It's a sure way to help raise the production values of all your videos.Its sure worth buying http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OI2Z4Q?ie=UTF8&tag=bestdeals-y-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OI2Z4Q