HD or SD

[jonchill]

I'm in the market for a new camcorder could afford a basic HD model but after researching HD I would also need to upgrade my PC to handle the editing which I can't afford as well.

I see the benefits of HD but would I be better off looking for a decent SD camcorder as I would struggle to edit the HD footage.

Thanks

[Uzeless]

Why don't you get a HD camcorder with built in editing features?

[glovesofgold]

Or you could consider an HD camera that downconverts to SD. I have a JVC that will output the full HD as DV. You can archive the HD for future use, for when you get round to upgrading your PC, but edit the SD on your current PC

[Uzeless]

That is a good idea, but by the time you get the PC with the guts to deal with HD properly, there will be a far better HD camcorder out for the money and you may regret getting it early (if you're anything like me!!).
If I were you, I'd get a HD camcorder with built in editing and write the finished product to DVD or HDD, and use a HD media player (like my Westerd Digital HD media player) to play the footage on your TV.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by Uzeless

Why don't you get a HD camcorder with built in editing features?

Can you give some examples of models? What kind of editing? From the limited exposure I've had it seems that any on-camera "editing" is very limited ie. joining/splitting clips, re-ordering and that's pretty much it. That's fine if that's all you need, but the OP may want to do more than that.

[mmace]

HDV uses the same bitrate as DV and doesn't require a monster PC

[jonchill]

If HD uses the same Bit rate as SD then why do some recommend such a monster spec for the editing PC?

[senu]

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

Can you give some examples of models? What kind of editing? From the limited exposure I've had it seems that any on-camera "editing" is very limited ie. joining/splitting clips, re-ordering and that's pretty much it. That's fine if that's all you need, but the OP may want to do more than that.

That is right . In-camera editing is a convenience at best. it is far too limiting and it is destructive ( ie anything removed cannot be returned)
No semi - serious editing should be done in-camera
You dont get the option of variety of titles. music overlay , voice over , and infact correction tolls where the video is less than ideal

[senu]

Originally Posted by jonchill

If HD uses the same Bit rate as SD then why do some recommend such a monster spec for the editing PC?

Hi definition formats are not the same
HDV is mpeg2 1080i , usually on tape ( although some JVC models have implemented it on HDD) and some higher end Pro models have used Solid state media ect to capture it to
Its encoding bitrate is fixed at 25mbs like DV AVI
It is not quite as easy to edit and DV AVI but not much harder and with todays spec of PCs generally easy to edit in practical terms

The other domestic Hi def format is AVCHD. This is recorder to HDD or Flash memory and is far more common these days
AVCHD is a standard but the indiviual codecs vary slightly
Also the bitrate is not fixed and lower bitrate ( therfore) more compressed files are bound to give PCs hard time unless well specified. Even Quad core processor kitted PCs with 3-4Gb of RAM dont always has an easy time playing or editing them although they ( in theory ) should

[jonchill]

I think I'm going to stick to a high quality SD camera for the time being. As I will need to edit with my existing PC and won't from previous comments be able to do this with HD and my current spec.

Can anyone recommend a decent SD camcorder for between £300 - £400 and preferably HDD or Solid state?

Thanks

[senu]

Ive lost track of Model Nos but I would imagine any of the Brands ( Sony Canon Panasonic or even JVC) at that price range will suffice
"High quality" is a matter of opinion though as most will not be as good quality as a tape model of similar cost
hopefully you will get suggestions
The problem of course is that this price range is the lower end of Hi def models in price ( not quality) terms
One advantage of tape is that HDV camcorders can record in Hi def , but you can capture in SD and edit but as discussed above even HDV editing should not be too tasking
Im not pushing tape though just making you aware that in absolute video quality ( allthough not conveniece for transfer ect terms) tape offere better VFM
I do accept that a £400 standard definition non tape model should be up to the task

For ease of clarity I would suggest you use terms Standard def or Hi def and they are easily interchangable with SD( Secure digital) or HD ( Hard disc)..

[jonchill]

Thanks Senu.

Do you know of somewhere where they do a comparison between Tape and non-tape to see if going HDD or SD isn't going to degrade the quality that will outweigh the benefit of HDD or SD?

[senu]

Originally Posted by jonchill

Thanks Senu.

Do you know of somewhere where they do a comparison between Tape and non-tape to see if going HDD or SD isn't going to degrade the quality that will outweigh the benefit of HDD or SD?

Im afraid not
My experience with different camcorders using different formats at the various price points is what I state
What is more objective is that at the £2-300 level the tape models are better value for money for quality but the case may be closing
For Hi def it is now the case that AVCHD camcorders are as good as ( some say , many dont agree, better) than tape
I think it is more the case that its a case of each camcorder on its own individual merits as you start spending more

[jonchill]

I've found this Sony Standard Def. HDD DCR-SR210E camcorder for around £430 but with some discounts, I can get it for below £400, spec below.

Is it as good as I've read it to be?

Thanks

• Built-in 60GB HDD
• 4 Mega Pixels Still Image Recording
• ClearVid CMOS Sensor
• Super SteadyShot (Optical)
• Movie Recording on Memory Stick
• Dual Rec (Movie & 3.0Mega Still Image Recording)
• CZ Vario Sonnar T (Filter Diameter: 30mm)
• Zoom (15x Optical, 180x Digital)
• 2.7" Wide Clear Photo LCD Plus (211 K)
• One Touch Disc Burn (Button on CAM)
• 5.1ch Surround Recording with Link to Zoom
• Face Detection
• Film Roll Index
• Face Index
• Memory Stick Duo Slot
• Built-in Flash
• Active Interface Shoe
• USB2.0 (Hi-Speed)

[jonchill]

Originally Posted by ohyeahmon

There are some HD Camcorders that can convert for you, prices ranges under $400

Can you name any model as I've had a look and can't find any?

Thanks