I use a Samsung video camcorder that has firewire. With my PC I had to record on tape, then import it, but with the Mac and the new iMovie, I record directly off the camera now (just tried it tonight)
Trying to make a movie for someone, but for some reason even knowing the camera is there kinda makes me nervous. Going to have to get really fired up before I fire on cam
After it's recorded I'll use a program called VisualHub that lets me convert to any format I need. Or if I'm uploading it, iMovie can save it in YouTube (or YouPorn) format ready for uploading.