[moomunki]

The jury's out for me. Recently purchased a hand held HD camcorder. Very impressed with quality under a clear blue sky, and playback direct through TV was fine.

However, low light quality was worse if anything than my old mini-DV recorder. And editing HD footage, even on a decent spec XP machine has been a nightmare ! After wrestling with all manner of codecs and converters I feel like I'm left with either keeping the footage on SDHC card or waiting for the software gurus to write an application that can truly handle the additional detail.

I suspect I've been mugged by the "HD" label and have under-rated the quality and convenience (in terms of PC compatability) that mini-DV offered.

Would like to know if anyone has similar thoughts ? If so, any recommendations for a replacement for my ageing mini-DV (Panasonic NV-DS11B) ?

[M Stewart]

I bought a Sony HDR-HC5 last year (1080i / MiniDV).

It records HD to MiniDV tape, and the quality when shown via HDMI on a 37" panasonic LCD TV is superb. However, I'm not there yet with the TV, and currently I download an SD version, (converted in camera) to my WinXP PC and edit almost as though I'm editing SD shot with an SD camera. (I use VideoStudio 11.5+) I then burn to a standard DVD. Enquired yesterday whether there are still MiniDV Full HD cameras on sale, and was told "No" in John Lewis. At least I have super quality video as long as my tapes last, and I'm just beginning to consider the next step!

[mmace]

it totally depends on the HD camera you buy.
You could buy one with excellent low light conditions that records to HDV or you could buy one that's rubbish under low light and records AVCHD.
One is easy to edit on crap PC's, the other you need something beefy

If you did your research before buying you'd have bought a decent low light HDV camcorder so you ca easily edit it and get the image you desire.

[senu]

Originally Posted by mmace

it totally depends on the HD camera you buy.
You could buy one with excellent low light conditions that records to HDV or you could buy one that's rubbish under low light and records AVCHD.
One is easy to edit on crap PC's, the other you need something beefy

I agree and was typing similar but (inadvertently) clicked " X" . However there are emerging AVCHD camcorders which are fine in low light and fast movt.
I have used the Canon HG 10 Sony SR 12 and Samsung HMX 20 and despite all I hear around me thier low light abilities are nothing to shout about. Ive also edited samples from the Panasonic SD 9.. not awesome in low light..

If you did your research before buying you'd have bought a decent low light HDV camcorder so you ca easily edit it and get the image you desire.

He may have done his research and found the marketing speil or glowing report from other users convincing especially as tape model dont do " full HD".... Also thhe oft quted ( and overhyped real time capture "problem") and the scarcity of actual models may have convinced him tape is dead
In any case he's bought it now.. so.. What next...
Ive been accused of being a luddite when I come out in favour of the " older tape HDV kit. I dont think tape will be around for ever but there is some truth in the fact that for relatively great quality HDV has reamined unruffled even by some of the excellent fottage in good light and relatiely slow motion of curent domestivc AVCHD kit .
And Editig remains a bit of a challenge if you dont go down the i& or higher end Q4 route
Also like HDV playback remains unsettled. BD discs are far from cheap . I was considering a drive only yesterday but the cost of blank media is offputting

[chrishull3]

If low light is paramount to you you should maybe have paid a bit more and got a cam like this http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm or stayed with hdv tape the canon HV30 in progressive mode is good in low light, i know Progressive is not everyones cup of tea including mine but for low light it does work.

[mmace]

Originally Posted by senu

BD discs are far from cheap.

I don't think so, I've had a BD writer since they came out and discs were over £10 each, now they're anything from £1.25 upwards (full face printable)

[senu]

Originally Posted by mmace

I don't think so, I've had a BD writer since they came out and discs were over £10 each, now they're anything from £1.25 upwards (full face printable)

I probably go to the wrong shop.
"Tape City" is 5 min walk from my house I have found thier prices keeen for most edia ( Tapes DVD CD ect) , they quoted 1 at £10 ( 50Gb TDK) only yesterday afternoon as I have felt the need to have one but Im struggling to justify producing BD discs as essentially a hobby
Most corporate and Work ( NHS) still use DVD onlyand even then the kit is amazingly outdated

I dont mind the cost of a BD writer. ( I already have a BD reader/ DVD Writer) which I could at the time have bought aan LG writer as well ( £130)
Where do you get yours from
In truth I may not make more than a few disks a year but then again I might if I found the media affordable
Do you Arthur the Discs with Encore?; That was another problem

[mmace]

yeah, I use Encore

£10 is about right for 50Gb cos there's hardly any around

I get mine from here: MaxMedia Supplies Ltd Blu-Ray Discs (£15.98 for 10 or £172.50 for 120)

[senu]

Thanks
Im not sure how they justify £10
A bit like Dual layer DVD discs compared to Normal ones

On another matter, have you found any consumer AVCHD camcorders that shines in Low light and doesnt mind injudicious panning as SD camcorders or even HDV do?
I still find the HDV far more superior at this even though lately more ane more AVCHD models seem to produce punchier better colour and clarity under ideal conditions
I dot like " judder" though

I know it isnt the same but decent Sky HD broadcasts do make a case for Hi def and they are not even broadcasting " full HD"..

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by senu

Thanks
Im not sure how they justify £10
A bit like Dual layer DVD discs compared to Normal ones

On another matter, have you found any consumer AVCHD camcorders that shines in Low light and doesnt mind injudicious panning as SD camcorders or even HDV do?
I still find the HDV far more superior at this even though lately more ane more AVCHD models seem to produce punchier better colour and clarity under ideal conditions
I dot like " judder" though

I know it isnt the same but decent Sky HD broadcasts do make a case for Hi def and they are not even broadcasting " full HD"..

This one shines in low light its a known fact Sony HDR-XR520V Handycam First Impressions Camcorder Review - Sony HDD not that i would buy one,some hd programns on tv from all channels are not brilliant at times, Kingdom poor programn poor hd pq IMO

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

This one shines in low light its a known fact Sony HDR-XR520V Handycam First Impressions Camcorder Review - Sony HDD not that i would buy one,some hd programns on tv from all channels are not brilliant at times, Kingdom poor programn poor hd pq IMO

Thanks
Some do and some dont .
This is equally the case with some HD transfers to Blu Ray .. Not much better than the DVD equivalents
It is perhaps not surprising given the variety of ways they are produced with some even coming from a mixture of sources upscaled

What I was saying though is that Hi def can look good generally and it isnt overhyped but there is a need to keep ones feet on the ground when buying consumer camcorders and not be led by the marketing hype

When consumer camcorders are said to be good in low light the question is asked .. in comparison to what? . This is in order to prevent dissapointment when used at home in typically poor lighitng