[B1K3R]

Hi,

I know someone answered a similar question but I am not sure if I understood well, so sorry for asking again...

High Definition video cannot be played on normal dvd/divx players and normal tv? I intend to burn dvds out of mini dv.

If so, it will be useless for me to buy one (had in mind sony HC5E) since I have a normal dvd player/tv.

Or maybe I can take video in standard form and use high def in future?

Do you need special mini dv tapes for high def?

One last thing, I am sure there is a thread of DVD format which i cannot find(cause im considering dvd format too even though here all suggest mini dv for low/medium budget cams). I'm just concerned that in some years I wont be able to play/comvert mini dv!



Thanks!

[redsox_mark]

High Definition video cannot be played on normal dvd/divx players and normal tv? I intend to burn dvds out of mini dv.

A high definition disc can only play on a device which can play it. You can however connect any high def camcorder to a standard def TV (via composite or sometimes S-video) and watch it (in SD).

If so, it will be useless for me to buy one (had in mind sony HC5E) since I have a normal dvd player/tv.

You won't see the full benifit, but it's not useless, as you can shoot in high def, downconvert for now, and still keep the high def footage for later.

Or maybe I can take video in standard form and use high def in future?

I would shoot high def now.

Do you need special mini dv tapes for high def?

No. There are some higher quality "HDV" tapes which are supposed to be more resistant to dropouts, but good ordinary DV tapes work fine.

[senu]

Originally Posted by B1K3R

Hi,
..One last thing, I am sure there is a thread of DVD format which i cannot find(cause im considering dvd format too even though here all suggest mini dv for low/medium budget cams). I'm just concerned that in some years I wont be able to play/comvert mini dv!
Thanks!

Mark has covered it all well except this
If you are considering the DVD format, I suggest you have a look at the FAQ entry on it
I wouldn't be too worried about MiniDVs demise .. it wont just vanish.. you'll have plenty of warning. I know the models are getting fewer ( This is due to marketing since the technology has peaked) but it is still very good and quite prevalent in the High end Prosumer/SemiPro ect market
What may be worse (IMHO) is relying on the DVD-rs as a "stable" store for your video

[B1K3R]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

You can however connect any high def camcorder to a standard def TV (via composite or sometimes S-video) and watch it (in SD).
.

Thats good news!

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

You won't see the full benifit, but it's not useless, as you can shoot in high def, downconvert for now, and still keep the high def footage for later.

OK, so if I understood well, I will shot high def, then when convert them to dvd i can burn as standard def and watch the dvd on my tv. Then in future I can convert again from high def from mini dv to high def dvd and watch them on high def player/tv.

Originally Posted by senu

If you are considering the DVD format, I suggest you have a look at the FAQ entry on it

Thanks, I managed to find it and checked it out!

Originally Posted by senu

I wouldn't be too worried about MiniDVs demise .. it wont just vanish.. you'll have plenty of warning. I know the models are getting fewer ( This is due to marketing since the technology has peaked) but it is still very good and quite prevalent in the High end Prosumer/SemiPro ect market

What may be worse (IMHO) is relying on the DVD-rs as a "stable" store for your video

Yes, you are right. But let say I want to convert a video on mini dv in 5-10 years time and my camcorder would be broken. Let say one would not find any mini dv camcorders anymore.

What are my options to convert that mini dv to dvd (or any other media by that time)?

It is true that dvd will not last forever as storage. Maybe 5 years or so depending on the storage environment. But I think that the same applies to mini dv. Maybe max 15 years? Then I guess one would still need to back it up again, no?

Do you know what dvd camcorder is the same level as the sony HC5E, irrespectibe of price?

Thanks guys!

[redsox_mark]

Do you know what dvd camcorder is the same level as the sony HC5E, irrespectibe of price?

It would have to be a high def AVCHD-DVD cam; though if you are looking at those, I'd rather get a HDD or flash memory cam.