AVCHD vs HDV

[7hil]

As everyone else is, I'm after a camcorder with the best HD picture but also one where I can get the video from my camcorder to a BD-R disc with no further encoding or compression of the original source.

My initial idea is one of the Sony AVCHD HDD camcorders so I can simply transfer the file to my PC and then burn.

I thought about a mini DV HDV camcorder but presumably the transfer to PC must involve the video being re-encoded again, as the PC captures the video from tape in real-time.

Am I understanding all this correctly? Am I making any sense!

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by 7hil

I thought about a mini DV HDV camcorder but presumably the transfer to PC must involve the video being re-encoded again, as the PC captures the video from tape in real-time.

Am I understanding all this correctly? Am I making any sense!

With respect, no this doesn't make sense...

Capture of HDV is in real time, but it is a straight digital copy. There is no re-encoding when capturing to your PC.

Now let's assume you aren't editing at all (if you are, that will involve re-encoding regardless of format). The question then becomes can you put this captured HDV video on a Blu-Ray disc without re-encoding it. This I'm not sure about... I think it is possible but will depend on the software used. You certainly can put the HDV on a Blu-Ray disc without re-encoding, but will it play on all Blu-Ray players? This link indicates it is possible but currently may not play on all players
http://www.dvc.uk.com/guides/subnav.php?subnav=Bluray

[7hil]

That's important for me to realise that real-time copying via firewire, or whatever, doesn't mean additional encoding. Many thanks for that.

Perhaps a safer bet then for PS3 or blu-ray playback will be a AVCHD camcorder as I am positive that this format can be played back.

Perhaps a HDD camcorder is the best option.

[redsox_mark]

The PS3 does play native HDV files from a Blu-Ray disc (as well as AVCHD).

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by 7hil

That's important for me to realise that real-time copying via firewire, or whatever, doesn't mean additional encoding. Many thanks for that.

Perhaps a safer bet then for PS3 or blu-ray playback will be a AVCHD camcorder as I am positive that this format can be played back.

Perhaps a HDD camcorder is the best option.

mark do you think you will try putting any of you hdv tapes on hdv or blue ray disk.i will have to try some time as the longer it goes the more there is to do and i cant see hdv blue ray recorders[like dvd ones we have now]for a long time if ever.chris

[redsox_mark]

Eventually yes, I hope to create either Bluy-Ray or HD-DVD discs with my HDV footage.

But I'm in no hurry. My main interest in creating DVDs (of any type) is for "distribution" (e.g. a few discs for family and friends, or 200 discs for a primary school production). As long as burners and players (and discs!) are expensive and most people don't have the players, I'm not motivated to create high def discs. For my own use I can simply save my projects back to HDV tape and play those, or play high def files from a PC. For "distribution" I convert to SD.

[7hil]

The main reason this has become an issue for me is that I've just got my hands on a relatively cheap vaio laptop with a BD-R burner, so i'm now exploring which camcorder will be the best and easiest one to use when transferring to BD. All the family have HDTV's and with, hopefully, a PS3 price drop at some point over the next year, it's not inconceivable that I might be making quite a few BD discs in the future. particularly as there is a baby on the way! (Not mine though)

[redsox_mark]

Either should work but I think you are right that AVCHD will be easier.

Your family is more up to date than mine! I've just convinced my in-laws to get their first standard def DVD player! (Up to now I've had to make videos for them). My parents do have a HDTV, but nothing which can play HD discs of any type.

[littlelio]

What do you think

MP3 VS CD?

[rhubarbe]

Why not download some sample, unreencoded (nasty looking word) HDV and give it a try?

You could then tell us.

I was looking at an AVCHD camcorder, even bought an 8GB Memory Stick. But then I thought, two weeks holiday, say even thirty minuites a day is going to be a lot of Memory Sticks unless I take a phototank. But will a phototank work with an 8GB MS? I don't know, and nor does the maker of my tank, to judge from his lack of a reply.

Last year I took an mpeg-2 SD camcorder on holiday and I am now so paranoid about losing the mpeg-2 files that I have backups scattered across every PC I own (a lot). This is silly. I don't trust DVDR for longevity. All I do trust is tape, so it is with some initial disbelief that I now start to think about buying a Canon HV10 (mainly because of the size and form factor) in order to get HD, and an easily archivable storage medium.

It's an odd world.

[7hil]

Originally Posted by littlelio

What do you think

MP3 VS CD?

If you mean Mp3 vs Wav then there is no competition. Wav ofcourse.

I was under the impression that it wasn't as clear cut with HDV and AVCHD.

Or am i misunderstanding your analogy?

[7hil]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Last year I took an mpeg-2 SD camcorder on holiday and I am now so paranoid about losing the mpeg-2 files that I have backups scattered across every PC I own (a lot).

I'm the same. I make multiple DVD-R copies of SD stuff just for myself!

If I can get my hands on a BD-RE then as you say, maybe I can try both out and see what happens!

[littlelio]

Originally Posted by 7hil

If you mean Mp3 vs Wav then there is no competition. Wav ofcourse.

I was under the impression that it wasn't as clear cut with HDV and AVCHD.

Or am i misunderstanding your analogy?

Oh, i meant the HDV tape is similar to a CD disc, which is exchangable. While MP3 and AVCHD use Flashdisk/HHD which is not a media you could buy and change it immediately.

Also, CD DAT file is bigger than MP3 file, with better quality. Same situation with HDV (captured on the disk) and AVCHD.

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by 7hil

I was under the impression that it wasn't as clear cut with HDV and AVCHD.

In terms of quality you are correct. It depends on the specific camcorder, in general the HDV models have a slight edge in quality, but it is not a big difference.

[JUS]

This any help? .....camcorder burns the disc then the "AVCHD format discs can also be played back on a PC, compatible Blu Ray disc player or Playstation 3®"..sounds pretty easy to me if you don't want the messing around with a PC.

"AVCHD High Definition Handycam for users who want to record their memories in optimum 1080i High Definition picture quality on convenient 8 cm DVD discs, but still have the ultimate creative control through a wealth of manual operation features."

"The HDR-UX7 supports a wide variety of DVD media, including DVD+R DL (Double Layer) discs, allowing you to record on one disc for up to 1 hour in High Definition (AVC HD 5M (LP) mode). For simple playback, an HDMI™ connection means that you can simply connect the UX7 directly to a HD ready TV to replay your High Definition movies without any loss of picture quality. AVCHD format discs can also be played back on a PC, compatible Blu Ray disc player or Playstation 3®"

https://shop.sonystyle-europe.com/So...02BC29B73)/.do