[wigwam12]

Recording time between HG and HE varies from 40min to 90min on a 4gb card on the SD5.
Is there are an appreciable difference in image quality and what roles could/should the "lesser" modes play?

[qwerty1234]

Hg=(1920x1080) full HD recording and is the highest quality
hn=(1440x1080) lower quality
he=(1440x1080) lowest quality
hn and he both use VBR recording (variable bit rate) HE compress' data more to make the file size smaller.
if your running out of rom on your card use the lower rate but other wise leave t in the highest quality seting generally.
See page 44 of you manual

[wigwam12]

thanks
I got that info from page 44.
What I didnt get an angle on is what difference VBR vs CBR makes on image quality [and why].
Playign around, obviously they all look very similar on the camcorder screen but I wondered if anyone could give me a subjective view on how HE looks compared with HG on [say] a 42" screen.

[redsox_mark]

VBR simply gives you better quality for the same amount of bits than CBR, by using less bits when there is little motion/difference between frames, and more when you need them.

The highest quality setting uses a high bit rate, so doesn't need VBR. VBR is only needed when you what a lower bitrate. HN and HE use lower bitrates.

The 1440 vs 1920 you are unlikely to be able to tell. But because of the lower bitrate, you may see more "artifacts" (bits that don't look quite right!) with the lower quality settings, especially if a lot of motion.

[wigwam12]

Anyone have experience of HN and HE care to post back if these artefacts are significant with movement such as people walking etc?
Until I build up enough of a pool of SDHC cards I need to be a little frugal with the space!