HDR-SR1 Questions

[Mr-Hux]

Hi,

Im looking to buy a Sony HDR-SR1 but have a few questions i hope someone can help me with.

1. Archiving files/movies. Is it possible to transfer the HI DEF files to a HDD on my pc and then burn them to a DVD for long term archiving. Then given that my only HDMI source would be the SR1 (until i get a hi def player), could i then transfer the files back to the camcorder at a later date for HI DEF viewing on my HI DEF plasma?

2. In a few months i am traveling to the US on business, im quite keen to purchase an SR1 there, clearly for price reasons. i do understand that it will be an NSTC format camera and the waranty will be US, but other than that are there other downsides in purchasing a US model for UK use?

3. Assuming that there are no big downside in question 2, would it be easy to create PAL format DVD's for the family with the files created from the camcorder? I generall use Premier Elements 2 as my movie editing software.

4. Does the software supplied with the camcorder import files just from the camcorder or can you browse for files stored on the PC?

Thanks

[senu]

Originally Posted by Mr-Hux

Hi,

Im looking to buy a Sony HDR-SR1 but have a few questions i hope someone can help me with.

I can try

1. Archiving files/movies. Is it possible to transfer the HI DEF files to a HDD on my pc and then burn them to a DVD for long term archiving. Then given that my only HDMI source would be the SR1 (until i get a hi def player), could i then transfer the files back to the camcorder at a later date for HI DEF viewing on my HI DEF plasma?

Yes

2. In a few months i am traveling to the US on business, im quite keen to purchase an SR1 there, clearly for price reasons. i do understand that it will be an NSTC format camera and the waranty will be US, but other than that are there other downsides in purchasing a US model for UK use?

Im not sure of the answer to this. Ill pass on this one.
What I do know is that for HDV, those currently trying to make Mini HD -DVD ( HD material on normal DVD disc authored as HD DVD) are finding that an NTSC 60Hz model is inherently supported by the hardware players.The converse is not true and we are still waiting ( ) for firmware upgrades.

3. Assuming that there are no big downside in question 2, would it be easy to create PAL format DVD's for the family with the files created from the camcorder? I generall use Premier Elements 2 as my movie editing software

.

There is currently no AVCHD editing support ( Canopus has just released one) and Sony Vegas are hoping to release an update to Vegas 7 in "the Spring":
For all intents and purposes consider the format uneditable by conventional mainstream means.
Besides, Even HD material from HDV is not editable with Premiere Elements 2 (though it is in Ver 3)
I wouldn't be too optimistic about an "easy to create PAL format DVD" even if the SR1 were UK sourced let alone US sourced unless you record with it in SD.

4. Does the software supplied with the camcorder import files just from the camcorder or can you browse for files stored on the PC?

I dont know for sure but if it allows you move files back and forth camcorder to PC I imagine it is PC friendly ( Just an educated guess )

Not very helpful ....I know: Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge will come along soon

[redsox_mark]

To add to Senu's comments:

2. In a few months i am traveling to the US on business, im quite keen to purchase an SR1 there, clearly for price reasons. i do understand that it will be an NSTC format camera and the waranty will be US, but other than that are there other downsides in purchasing a US model for UK use?

That covers it - format and warranty are the only issues; oh and there is also UK customs. You will have to either pay VAT when you return, go throught the green channel and hope, or lie and break the law.

The format is not really a problem if you are shooting HD. Unlike SD, the resolution is the same; the only difference is the framerate.

3. Assuming that there are no big downside in question 2, would it be easy to create PAL format DVD's for the family with the files created from the camcorder? I generall use Premier Elements 2 as my movie editing software.

Providing you can edit (when software is available), then you will be converting from AVCHD to SD DVD in PE2 anyway. It should be able to convert to PAL at the same time. Or you can create NTSC DVDs are generally these are playable here.

[Mr-Hux]

Hey big thanks to "Redsox ans senu" you have helped alot.

Just a few other questions (im sorry if they sound daft but we all have to start somewhere). The bundled software that comes with the SR1(motion browser), does it allow me to downgrade the movies to SD DVD (mpeg2-ps) from HD?

If so, do the files have to be burned to a dvd, or can you output to a folder?

If you can output to a folder, can these files be edited in PE2 or simular?

I see when recording in SD mode the file type is"mpeg2-ps" what is this? and can it be edited in PE2?

Will these mpeg files carry the 60hz signal? or are they just files?

Last one......

When the camcorder is plugged into a pc (win xp) does xp just see it as an external storage device?


Thanks

[redsox_mark]

The bundled software that comes with the SR1(motion browser), does it allow me to downgrade the movies to SD DVD (mpeg2-ps) from HD?

I don't think so. It will convert to HD Mpeg2 (transport stream) which you can then edit in PE2 for similar, and do the downconvert there.

If so, do the files have to be burned to a dvd, or can you output to a folder?
You can output to a folder.

If you can output to a folder, can these files be edited in PE2 or simular?

Yes

I see when recording in SD mode the file type is"mpeg2-ps" what is this? and can it be edited in PE2?

It is MPEG2 program stream (as opposed to transport stream). These are the type of files you use when creating a DVD. PE2 and most editing programmes can edit this.

Will these mpeg files carry the 60hz signal? or are they just files?

They are files. There isn't a "60hz signal" - these are digital recordings. The "60 hz" means 60 half frames per second; or to be precise 29.97 full frames per second.


When the camcorder is plugged into a pc (win xp) does xp just see it as an external storage device?

Yes. In fact Sony advertise this as a feature.

[senu]

Note that Adobe Premiere Elements 2 does not support HD files of any sort as an input format even though it does import and edit mpegs. (ie mpeg2-ps)
If not just rename to mpg

The ability to import and edit HD was introduced in Ver 3

[redsox_mark]

Senu,

Thanks for the correction, I didn't know that about PE2.

The "motion browser" software converts to mpeg2 transport stream (like HDV), so any software which can edit HDV will be able to edit (and downconvert it).

So with PE2 if you shoot SD you'll be able to edit it; if you shoot HD you will not.

[Mr-Hux]

Big thanks to you guys.

Im off to spend some cash.

Mr Hux

[Mr.Nice.Guy]

Great another SR1 user .