[MacDV] Re: In the market for a new Camcorder

Tue May 26 15:25:55 PDT 2009

Can you share with us, which camera you are using?
I am considering, I believe, it is the M150?
I shoot Indie movies, 24P at 1080 (if possible)
Thanks

On May 16, 2009, at 9:25 AM, sb wrote:

I'm sorry, but every thing is this response is not correct.

All cameras record a compressed signal. Tape, chip, hard drive, they  
all compress.

SD, HD, HDV, they are all compressed.

You can go HDV (records onto tape, not my first choice)
That's an HD thats compressed into MPEG 2 to the DV data rate, and  
requires you to capture from the tape in real time.

and frame sizes: 720P; 1080i, which stands for interlaced;  or 1080P,  
which is progressive.
Many of the new HD camcorders are using the AVCHD codec, which is H. 
264 and MPEG4. It's a very efficient codec.
It would not be correct to say that "most" cameras capture in MPEG2.  
And, AFAIK, only one camera records a .mov, that is the JVC HD100u.
However, iMovie and Final Cut convert the standard DV (which is DV  
Stream or .dv) into .mov when capturing.
HDV is also converted upon capture, though in Final Cut you can choose  
to demux the audio and transcode to .mov.
Most editors prefer to convert to ProRes upon capture.

I have an $800 Panasonic camcorder that records AVCHD 1920 x 1080i  
onto SDHC flash chips. I can buy a 4GB chip for under $10. It records  
1 hour in 1444 or 45 minutes of full 1920 x 1080i. Can be burned to a  
single layer DVD for backup, or just put on the shelf.

So, if you are looking for a new camera, I would recommend that you  
look at a camera that records full 1920 x 1080P, uses flash  
(removable) media, has manual modes for iris and focus, does not use a  
touch screen, and has a mic input.
As you compare features and prices, you can decide which of the  
features you can live without or how much you are willing to pay.

And, finally, there are no work flow changes that have to be made if  
you shoot in 25f or 30f
iMovie or Final Cut, you won't have any problems with either of them.

hth,

regards,

sb

On May 11, 2009, at 9:06 AM, video at pappals.com wrote:

> Good questions, answers are not that staightforward.
>
> Search through CNET, if I recall there are plenty of HD camera reviews
> and discussion,  like
>
> http://reviews.cnet.com/hd-camcorders-guide/?tag=leftColumnArea1.0
>
> or
>
> http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
>
> Basically, Cameras that record to disk may or may not use some form of
> compression. Cameras that record to tape do not, just like SD tape
> cameras.
>
> Some cameras do not capture full 1080 HD, i.e. cheat a little.  I  
> don't
> think you can get a 1080p camera in the consumer world. 25fps requires
> some work flow changes, but not HD.
>
> I use a Canon HV30, lots of bang for the buck, high quality, records  
> to
> tape at 1080i and can be set to 30 or 25 FPS.
>
> See
> http://www.hv20.com/forumdisplay.php?s=c2c9fe8dbf3e3af00ac613583904849f&f=18
> for cannon info
>
> Sam
>
>
> On Sat, 09 May 2009 01:50 +1000, "Conlon Brett"  
> <brettnlis at bigpond.com>
> wrote:
>> Hiya,
>>
>> Not too long ago I mentioned on this list that I dropped my Panasonic
>> GS-400 on the concrete, after which the captured image became quite
>> yellow. I've had a service assessment on it and they tell me the CCD
>> needs replacing ($700 AUD).
>>
>> So I can either throw good money at an old machine or potentially  
>> look
>> at a new device - which would of course be HD.
>>
>> Being quite a fan of the Panasonic, I've read a few reviews for the
>> Panasonic HDC-HS300 and am interested in it. Anyone have this model  
>> or
>> any feelings about it? Other preferences, perhaps?
>>
>> Now, moving to the HD arena I have a few other questions...
>>
>> I've been a fan of tapes  to date (per MB they are/were good value) -
>> or am I just way behind the times??? My concerns moving to HD are
>> regarding quaity. Most cameras capture in MPEG-2, right? (I think  
>> some
>> also capture in .mov). I've felt concerned capturing in MPEG-2 (a
>> heavily compressed format) then downloading to the computer for
>> editing, then to re-encode again for authoring to DVD. Is there an
>> appropriate workflow to maintain quality?
>>
>> I've been shooting in 16:9 and would like to continue to do so. I'm
>> not fully up on the appropriate/best resolutions 1080 (is there a
>> 1080p or something?). Is there a good, quick read somewhere for
>> getting myself updated with the newer standards?
>>
>> Sorry, lotsa questions, I know...
>>
>> Any/all help most appreciated!!!  8-)
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Cojcolds

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