[asprint]

I have just purchased the Panasonic HDC-SD9 and seek some help/advice if it is the right cam for me or if I should go for the Canon HV30?

I currently do not have a HD tv and can only input via the std RCA video and component. My dvd/hdd/vhs has the same std RCA input plus firewire and a SD card reader, thought this will be in MPEG 2 format.

My desktop, XP + SP3, has USB 2's and firewire, Samsung monitor has a HDMI input which should allow me to watch direct from the cam in HD? The laptop, Vista + SP1, has USB 2's and firewire.

I have loaded the supplied HD Writer 2.5E software and this enables me to store and playback the videos on the laptop, have not tried it on the desktop yet, but only via the HD Writer platform.

If I select the copy to PC option the files it loads, I assume in AVCHD format, cannot be opened, so I can only store and watch via the HD Writer.

If I select the MPEG 2 option I am able to download, store and watch files direct from my PC.

I can also watch on my TV via the low res std video input or via component.

I can also watch and record via the dvd/hdd recorder using the std low res video input. Havent tried the SD card input yet.

I like the panasonic for its size, light weight and simple operation with no moving parts, but am wondering that with my current equipment that I am at best only able to store and playback in std res? Am I wasting my time at the moment with a HD cam that at best I can only watch/record and burn to dvd in MPEG 2?

I will in time upgrated to a HD tv, but currently feel that unless you are watching in HD mode the 36" CRT I currently have provides better picture quality?

Would I be better off with say a Canon HV30, and be able to store and playback on my PC's, TV and dvd/hdd recorder in a higher quality via the firewire or will I find that my current equipment is the limiting factor and that I will not find any improvement over the Panasonic, though clearly editing will be a hell of a lot easier?

I take it that neither of my PC's, or the dvd/hdd recorder, are able to burn in AVCHD and that I either have to get a dedicated AVCHD burner or convert and burn in MPEG 2?

The panasonic was purched at a good price, £274, from QVC (with the benifit of a 30 day trial) the best prices for the Canon HV30's are still around the £600 mark, so for value the Panasonic is very good.

Would I really achive much by going for the Canon, of something similar?

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by asprint

Samsung monitor has a HDMI input which sould allow me to watch direct from the cam in HD?

Correct.

Originally Posted by asprint

If I select the copy to PC option the files it loads, I assume in AVCHD format, cannot be opened, so I can only store and watch via the HD Writer.

The solution here is to install any one of a number of freeware media players with the H.264 codec required for AVCHD files. Someone who owns a PC can steer you in the right direction, though VLC (I use the Mac version) is an option.

Originally Posted by asprint

clearly editing [HDV from the HV30] will be a hell of a lot easier

Easier in terms of demands on processor, yes, but as you haven't stated the processor, RAM, and video card specifications of your PC it's not possible to make a definitive statement either way.

[asprint]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Correct.The solution here is to install any one of a number of freeware media players with the H.264 codec required for AVCHD files. Someone who owns a PC can steer you in the right direction, though VLC (I use the Mac version) is an option.Easier in terms of demands on processor, yes, but as you haven't stated the processor, RAM, and video card specifications of your PC it's not possible to make a definitive statement either way.

Both the desktop and laptop have intel Core2 Duo E8400 processors. The Desktop has 2Gb RAM and a dedicated GeForce 8400GS + 256MB video card, the laptop 4Gb Ram and a dedicated ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3650 + 256MB.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

The solution here is to install any one of a number of freeware media players with the H.264 codec required for AVCHD files. Someone who owns a PC can steer you in the right direction

See a previous post of mine here:
New to Camcorders - How do I play / edit on my pc

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by asprint

Would I be better off with say a Canon HV30, and be able to store and playback on my PC's, TV and dvd/hdd recorder in a higher quality via the firewire

Why are you saying it would be higher quality? Do you mean if you were to record in std def? (your DVD/HDD recorder is only able to record in std def). Remember that with the HV30 you would have the added hassle (matter of opinion) of transfering the video in real time to computer. The only advantage I see with the HV30 is that it allows to shoot in std def, but then what's the point of having a high def camcorder?

I take it that neither of my PC's, or the dvd/hdd recorder, are able to burn in AVCHD

Your PCs should be more than capable of making 'AVCHD discs' (ie. high def video on a standard DVD re-writable disc) all you need is a DVD burner and the right software. However currently it appears you have no means of displaying such a disc, other than on the PC (in which case there is no point as you can just burn the files as-is).

[senu]

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

The only advantage I see with the HV30 is that it allows to shoot in std def, but then what's the point of having a high def camcorder?

A possible advantage though, is that you can shoot in High Def on HDV tape but while creating a DVD via desktop recorder, create a good quality SD DVD. HDV camcorders will downconvert " on the fly " during firewire transfer to PC or DVD settop . You dont need to shoot SD
Your HDV tape will remain Hi def for later
I think if you dont have an HDTV now an HDV camcorder may not be the drag it seems
You get real time digital transfer via firewire instead of fast USB transfer and then ( slow) software downcoversion from AVCHD to SD mpeg2 or Use of S-video or composite to Setop DVD recorder
If you have a PS3 or Blue ray player capable of reading AVCHD discs , there is less reason to favour the otherwise excellent HV30

[asprint]

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

Why are you saying it would be higher quality? Do you mean if you were to record in std def? (your DVD/HDD recorder is only able to record in std def). Remember that with the HV30 you would have the added hassle (matter of opinion) of transfering the video in real time to computer. The only advantage I see with the HV30 is that it allows to shoot in std def, but then what's the point of having a high def camcorder?

Your PCs should be more than capable of making 'AVCHD discs' (ie. high def video on a standard DVD re-writable disc) all you need is a DVD burner and the right software. However currently it appears you have no means of displaying such a disc, other than on the PC (in which case there is no point as you can just burn the files as-is).

I assume that you mean that I have to convert to MPEG 2 format before I can burn to the current onboard dvd writers or get a AVCHD dedicated writer to burn in HD?

As indicated, I am not currently able to open and view in anything other than HD Writer.

Can you please advise what software I need to be able to store and view direct from my PC and not HD Writer?

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by asprint

Can you please advise what software I need to be able to store and view direct from my PC and not HD Writer?

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

See a previous post of mine here:
New to Camcorders - How do I play / edit on my pc

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by asprint

I assume that you mean that I have to convert to MPEG 2 format before I can burn to the current onboard dvd writers or get a AVCHD dedicated writer to burn in HD?

Neither. If you want to make what's usually called an 'AVCHD disc' you just need the right software (for example Nero 9), or maybe even HD Writer can do this? (the software that came with my HF100 can). The disc can then be played back on a PS3 or Blu-Ray player connected to a HDTV. However, if you have none of these there is little or no point you doing this.

By the way, does your CRT TV have a component video input?

[asprint]

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

Neither. If you want to make what's usually called an 'AVCHD disc' you just need the right software (for example Nero 9), or maybe even HD Writer can do this? (the software that came with my HF100 can). The disc can then be played back on a PS3 or Blu-Ray player connected to a HDTV. However, if you have none of these there is little or no point you doing this.

By the way, does your CRT TV have a component video input?

Yes the CRT TV has a component video input.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by asprint

Yes the CRT TV has a component video input.

Forget that, just re-read your original post and indeed that's what you said. Thought you were connecting via composite. Just wanted to make sure you were using the best possible method, is all