New to HD Camera, just looking for some info

[wstadnick]

Hello all,

New to this forum, as i've never really had any problem or question until now. I have been running the Canon minidv camcorders when i tape "usually a pageant once a year" and never had a problem. Been able to to, then when i get home just attach it to the computer, open Windows Movie Maker, and boom transfer the file for editing no problem.

Now here comes the fun. I just purchased a HDRSR10 yesterday, and thought i'd give the HD a try, as i was finding the mini dv canon "a few years old" was a little grainy. But when i was testing it out last night i had nothing but trouble, not being recognized by Windows Movie Maker, unless i made it into an Mpeg 2. Now i was taping in HD HQ i beleive, the best quality.

Here's my main question. Im looking at taping the pageant again this year, and was just wondering if there is a certain format that i should tape in, that could possibly be used by Movie Maker? The pageant runs about 3 hrs, and ill need to fit it on 1 dvd "non blue ray" as i want to keep it so everyone can view, as i have to hand it out to all the contestants. Trying to get them the best video possible.

And i want to try and stay with Windows Movie maker, as i find it nice and easy to use.

[senu]

The SR 10, used to record Hi def AVCHD cannot be edited by WMM
You need to either record SD.( mpeg2) . (Vistas WMM ( but not Xps) can edit that)
or Record as HI def then convert to mpeg2 as youve done

With the SR10 you will need to move on from WMM
Sonys Vegas movie Studio Platinum Deluxe can be tried as a trial
It is not as easy to use as WMM but ultimately more functionality
It isnt the only one but WMM would be easier than all of them
The SR10 is a fine camcorder but it would seem you didnt quite research it before getting it..!!
However as suggested SD is not bad as that is what you will be turning it into but if you want a Hi def "master" then there is no getting past converting

[wstadnick]

Yeah it was a bad move on my part, and will most likely be returning it. I was looking more into the best picture quality for the amount of money, and didn't think to looking into the editing process. I have Vegas on my comp, and was playing with that alittle. And last night i did transfer it to mpeg, about 3 hours worth and gonna test that out tonight when i get home to see what kind of picture i get out of it.

Mostly im just kind of trial and erroring it, seeing what works and doesn't. So does the high quality SD still give a nice picture? Better then my old Mini DV would?

[senu]

I suppose they will be equivalent or infact the SR10 marginally better ( it is newer technology)
The tape HDV models have the advantage that you can record Hi def but get the camcorder to down convert to SD "on the fly" for capture to any editng program Vegas ( WMM)
The only current consumer models are Canon HV30 and Sony HC9 so they are geting fewer TBH
Tape is still very good but it is being overshadowed by HDD and SD card camcorders whose quality is actually good, PC transfer easy but this newer technology is not quite hasle free despite great quality from them
Editing. output issues seem to be factored in afterwards

Have a read of some of the threads here . you might decide you want to keep it and face the challenges "head on"

[wstadnick]

Thanks for all the help. Yeah im doing as much reading as possible, there was just a few things that still had me confused. At least i can say i know more now then when i first came to the forum.

Now dealing with the Quality... i need about 2hr30mins at the most of taping time.. if i tape in HD quality, would i be able to fit that onto a regular DVD to burn, along with some editing.. or will i need to go to a lower SD version to get it to fit?

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by wstadnick

Thanks for all the help. Yeah im doing as much reading as possible, there was just a few things that still had me confused. At least i can say i know more now then when i first came to the forum.

Now dealing with the Quality... i need about 2hr30mins at the most of taping time.. if i tape in HD quality, would i be able to fit that onto a regular DVD to burn, along with some editing.. or will i need to go to a lower SD version to get it to fit?

In order to put the 2hr30 minutes footage on a regular DVD you will have to export to an SD format. But doing that from a recording in HD can give stunning results. If you use a dual layer DVD you should not have a problem fitting that on. However most DVD writing applications will automatically fit your footage on it for you anyway.

As I am a MAC guy I won't be able to help you with a PC application that I have got recent experience with...

[wstadnick]

Originally Posted by dejongj

In order to put the 2hr30 minutes footage on a regular DVD you will have to export to an SD format. But doing that from a recording in HD can give stunning results. If you use a dual layer DVD you should not have a problem fitting that on. However most DVD writing applications will automatically fit your footage on it for you anyway.

As I am a MAC guy I won't be able to help you with a PC application that I have got recent experience with...

Alrighty just making sure before i tape this pageant and find out after that i did it in the wrong format. And im hoping by stunning you mean really good, and not stunning as oh no what have i done stunning.
So im safe then to still tape in the best quality possible, and then worry about down converting later. I mean that won't give me worse quality then just taping in the lower quality to begin with right?

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by wstadnick

Alrighty just making sure before i tape this pageant and find out after that i did it in the wrong format. And im hoping by stunning you mean really good, and not stunning as oh no what have i done stunning.
So im safe then to still tape in the best quality possible, and then worry about down converting later. I mean that won't give me worse quality then just taping in the lower quality to begin with right?

Correct stunning as in really good. There is a golden rule, always record in the highest possible setting, it is easy to downscale and convert, but you can never tape events like that again. So even when you can't play back HD (for now), record it in HD and then in the future you can still use that material in HD....

[wstadnick]

Originally Posted by dejongj

Correct stunning as in really good. There is a golden rule, always record in the highest possible setting, it is easy to downscale and convert, but you can never tape events like that again. So even when you can't play back HD (for now), record it in HD and then in the future you can still use that material in HD....

Alrighty cool, sounds good to me. My biggest worry out of this whole thing was that people would have a hard time playing the dvd's once i burned them ... after what i've been reading on here anyways. But it seems they all wanted to keep the HD quality, in it's original form, and then it seems you need a Blue ray player/ hd dvd player.
But after what you've said all i need to do is downscale and it all should be good?
Any suggestion on the video settings output i should use? I'll be taping it at the max usuable, but what should i downscale to.. and what should i keep it above to give me somewhat best while still letting everyones regular DVD players work?

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by wstadnick

Alrighty cool, sounds good to me. My biggest worry out of this whole thing was that people would have a hard time playing the dvd's once i burned them ... after what i've been reading on here anyways. But it seems they all wanted to keep the HD quality, in it's original form, and then it seems you need a Blue ray player/ hd dvd player.
But after what you've said all i need to do is downscale and it all should be good?
Any suggestion on the video settings output i should use? I'll be taping it at the max usuable, but what should i downscale to.. and what should i keep it above to give me somewhat best while still letting everyones regular DVD players work?

Any software application I have come across has had PAL-WIDESCREEN project settings. I would suggest to just use those and let the software handle the rest.

[wstadnick]

Originally Posted by dejongj

Any software application I have come across has had PAL-WIDESCREEN project settings. I would suggest to just use those and let the software handle the rest.

Sweet, sounds good, thanks for all the help everyone. Thats always something i can play with later to.. my concerns with the actual recording and format and such were my big worries, but i beleive all has been answered. And happily i may still be able to use my good ol getto Windows Movie Maker, although i am starting to play with vegas and architect. And also something just to note.. NTSC - Widescreen

[wstadnick]

Just though of something else, dealing with the sound quality. I was reading on here about the 5.1 surroud, and how it picks up everything thats going on around teh camera. But i would rather just have what is going on in from "mainly on the stage" would i be better off turning off the 5.1, and using the mic zoom in feature? None of my other cams have ever had that featuer.

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by wstadnick

And also something just to note.. NTSC - Widescreen

Of-course the pageant was the clue wasn't it

Originally Posted by wstadnick

Just though of something else, dealing with the sound quality. I was reading on here about the 5.1 surroud, and how it picks up everything thats going on around teh camera. But i would rather just have what is going on in from "mainly on the stage" would i be better off turning off the 5.1, and using the mic zoom in feature? None of my other cams have ever had that featuer.

Yes I would switch it off and use the mic zoom feature instead. What I have also been able to do in the past is position my old mini-disc recorder with an external mic near the stage or plug it directly into the pa system if one is used. Although a bit more work, definitely top quality sound...

[wstadnick]

hehe , alrighty thanks for all the info.. i think im good for now.. may change when i get home and actually start playing with it agian..

[senu]

2 1/2 hours on a 4.7Gb DVD is trying the limits of good mpeg2 encoding IMHO
If you tape for that long it should be possible with good editing to get nearer 2hrs or even 90 min
Certainly using a dual layer disc will ensure that is not a problem but some DVD writing applications are better than others at dual layer and some DVD players dont read them seamlessly
Also ive always found Dual layer to be less VFM than single although for data stores I quite like them

Vegas does give you a lot more to play with than WMM and a little time invested in getting to know it should be worth your while IMHO..