[NatalieZ]

I am looking to buy a high definition camcorder, don't want to spend a huge amount. Having read lots of reviews and looked at many models I am very keen on the Panasonic HDC-SD5, which is available for under £400. Unfortunately, things seem to be very complicated! I just want to be able to take some high definition footage, mainly of family and friends, and be confident that I have some means of archiving it and will be able to play it in 10 or 20 years time.

I don't mind buying several SD cards, but it seems that I will have to buy lots of other accessories in order to archive/play my footage. I have a Panasonic Viera TH37PX80B television with an SD card slot, but understand that I can't use that directly to play AVCHD. I guess the main means of playback will be via the TV with an HDMI cable. Archiving is then the main problem. I am not particularly interested in being able to edit footage and don't have a particularly powerful PC, so how can I back up my recordings and still keep them as HD? I thought about the optional burner, but understand that I still would not be able to play the DVDs produced on my Panasonic hard drive DVD recorder. I am very keen to get this camera but can't believe it is not simpler to play back and archive footage. Help please!

[rhubarbe]

Just make a couple of copies of the AVCHD files and store them on two separate HDDs. Chances of two backups plus your original being lost due to HDD failure is then very low indeed.

There isn't anything more secure than that except buying an HV10 or an HV20 and dubbing the files in real time onto tape. If your footage is valuable and completely irreplaceable you could do that but for most folk it would be considered overkill.

Don't rely upon optical storage disks lasting forever. they are only as good as the dye on their recording surface.

[NatalieZ]

Thanks but how do I actually make the copies? Do I need to buy the optional burner?

[redsox_mark]

For archiving, I agree with rhubarbe; if you have multiple HDDs that will cover it. You can also create multiple backups on optical disc; but if that is your sole backup you would have to check them regularly.

For playback, you need to get a device to play the files. Playing from the camcorder is fine to watch "new" footage, but having to move footage back to a SD card to put in the camcorder each time isn't convienent for archived.

There are several options:

- Use a media player, like the popcorn hour thingy
- Create AVCHD discs (either on a PC or with the add on burner) and play on a PS3, compatible Blu-Ray player, or PC.

[NatalieZ]

Thanks, it looks like the trouble is that I can't just buy the camcorder, I really need the optional burner or a more powerful PC, and a PSP or blu-ray player. It's getting expensive!

[rhubarbe]

Yes, you can. But a player would work out a lot cheaper than buying loads of SDHC cards.

The PopcornHour thingy costs £135 delivered if you buy it from China (I did, so did lots of others) and the price includes delivery and all taxes.

www.popcornhour.com

It doesn't just play AVCHD. It plays DVD ISO's too including full menu.