Panasonic digital camera TZ7 AVCHD help pls

[pinkperky]

Hello, please can you help me. I have recently bought an excellent camera, the panasonic lumix tz7. It has 12 x optical zoom and it records video in AVCHD lite format (720p). The problem I have is that I don't know how to convert/save this to a DVD so that I can play it in an ordinary DVD player - i don't have PS3 or bluray player. Any help or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by pinkperky

Hello, please can you help me. I have recently bought an excellent camera, the panasonic lumix tz7. It has 12 x optical zoom and it records video in AVCHD lite format (720p). The problem I have is that I don't know how to convert/save this to a DVD so that I can play it in an ordinary DVD player - i don't have PS3 or bluray player. Any help or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi. Can you not use the software that came with it?
I also have this camera but haven tlooke dat the supplied software as i dotn need it.
If not how about trying Sony Vegas 9 MSP. You can get a 30 day free trial i believe.
I also think Nero can do it.
Ive never had to convert to SD so cant really help much.

[Brooktop]

Sorry for jumping in on this thread, but I am thinking of getting this camera to replace a Canon Powershot and a Canon mini dv camcorder. It's HD video AND the convenience that I'm interested in. I'm more of a 'stills' man so have an EOS40d for 'serious' photos.

I have a PS3 with 300Gb HDD and a decent laptop PC (and a 40Gb external portable HDD to transfer files between them). I don't know much about the video format though (AVCHD Lite). I believe the PS3 can play these but would like to know for sure that it will.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by Brooktop

. I don't know much about the video format though (AVCHD Lite). I'm assuming the PS3 won't play it, so what are my options?

What makes you think that? PS3 plays them fine.

[Brooktop]

Hi Dave - blimey you're quick - you must have replied within a minute cos I've edited my previous post - I have indeed confirmed that the FW 1.60 update added AVCHD playback. Do you have one? Could you tell me how the quality compares to SD playback from miniDV?

Gracias!

[dave_bass5]

No problem.Im just sitting here at work bored.
I have a 40GB PS3 and with a SD card adaptor i can just put the card in and the PS3 plays them ok.
Have a look in the camera forum, there was a very long TZ7 thread and a new one was started this week, lots of info in there.
I would say that there is HD and then there is good HD. Due to the nature of the TZ7 its not got the best optics and control so although its good, and HD im sure some older but high end SD cameras can do better.

[Brooktop]

Thanks Dave - I have a Canon MV840i (think that's the model) and it cost about £135 about 5 year ago. The footage is adequate - but not as crisp as a mate's Canon HD camcorder or the .MOV from a Canon 500d. I know that's understandable. I'm hoping the TZ7 footage is at least as good as my camcorder ...but with all the convenience.

I'll look for that thread

[dave_bass5]

No problem.
Have a look at my Vimeo page (its in my sig below), that has a few of my TZ7 clips on it.

[Brooktop]

Thanks Dave. Looking at the other thread, looks like we're in a similar boat. I also have the 40d. I have a Canon Powershot which takes v good stills. I use it for when I can't be bothered taking the EOS. The trouble is, that it's getting used even less as my phone has a 5mp camera which takes adequate snapshots in decent light. The camcorder only tends to get used around the house, because I can't be bothered taking it anywhere. I am however trying to take more footage of the kids because I'm sure I'll appreciate it in later life.

I view most of my stuff on a 50" 720p plasma, hooked up to a PS3. I just hope the video isn't a step back on the video from the camcorder.

Or should I be looking at a 720p camcorder?

[dave_bass5]

We do indeed sound like we are in the same boat. Im also forcing myself to shoot the kids more with a camcorder rather than DSLR.
I have 1000's of shots of them but hardly any video.
I mainly got my TZ7 as i play in a couple of bands at the weekends and we go all over the country, i would love to take my 40D but cant always carry it so i wanted something small and light but with IS. I have a Fuji and thats great but it doesn't have IS and a lot of the places we play, like stately homes etc are very dark. IS helps keep the ISO down as noise is an issue for me on these small cameras. Im not worried at all about shooting ISO1600 on the 40D though.

Also me getting the TZ7 was also a way of getting me to shoot more video, and its worked. I dont actually miss not using my HF10 but i do hold back from watching TZ7 footage on the big screen. some of its been fine but for any school plays, concerts etc ill use the HF10 as it will handle different situations much better. Plus its 1080 and footage looks a lot better, especially in low light.

For me the bottom line is the TZ7 has great features and could be used in any situation when i dont have anything else with me but other than its small, convenient size it doesnt do anything as well as my 40D or HF10.

IMHO of course. Its still one of the best out there.

If you want any raw footage just let me know and i can upload some.

[Brooktop]

Cheers. My mate has the HF10 and I'm very impressed.

I'm generally a Canon man. My dad bought the TZ3 and I thought it was 'just ok'. Don't talk to me about the Fuji's.

A Fuji A210 was my first foray into digital about 8 years ago and it was ok (2.1MP). The problem with having a DSLR is that you have unreasonable expectations of a compact. I've had a 300d, a 20d and now a 40d. Excellent cameras. I've also had a whole raft of compacts. I've always looked for one that has been ok at indoor low light - because that's often when I DON'T want an SLR with me. Because of all the fuss about the Fuji's (F30 etc), I bought one (F50 I think). What a load of rubbish. Yes, they do look ok on 4x6" prints and as small web pics, but they are dreadful at 100% on a monitor. The software used to reduce noise causes a watercolour effect on the photographs. Suffice to say, the Fuji went back the next day!

I was so impressed with the optical image stabilisation on a Canon lens that I bought a Powershot with OIS. If you choose ISO400 and handold at 1/15th, you can get decent images in dark venues without excessive noise...and no flash! It's a great little compact.

But my needs have now changed and I'm after a compact unit that does an adequate job of stills AND video.

[dave_bass5]

I agree with you about the Fuji's.
Mine is the F31FD and i read loads of good things about its low light performance and it is indeed a nice camera but i cant see its much better than my old IXUS in low light. They do clean up a bit better than the TZ7 high ISO shots though.
Maybe we are just spoilt with our DSLR's.

I was also very impressed with IS on my Canon Lenses and this made me look for a P&S that also has IS. Luckily the TZ7 had just been announce and looked ideal (on paper). I hadnt really thought about video up to that point but it seemed like a good idea and as i had already been using AVCHD i knew i wouldnt have any trouble playing it back. I tend to stream my footage from my PC to my Popcornhour most of the time and this makes it a bit easier than havin got hook th ecamera up to the TV.
My TZ7 still goes most places with me but ive been taking it out more as a video camera recently and also taking my 40D with me for stills.
While its a lot bigger and heavier no P&S can touch a 40D + 17-55IS f/2.8 IMHO ;-)
I did a test a while ago where i used the long zoom of my TZ7 against cropping in in LR2 from my 17-55mm shot at 5mm in RAW and the Canon was still sharper and less noisy. I dont think its a fair test but as i have both available it stands to reason ill use the best tool for the job.

[Brooktop]

Thanks Dave, it is about horses for courses isn't it? Can I take you up on your offer of viewing some raw footage? Just 5 - 10 secs should do. Don't know how big such a file size would be, but if it's easier for you, I can pm you my e-mail address and you could either e-mail it or send it from MailBigFile.com | Send Large Files - Quick & Easy - Free Service - Web Transfer - Pro & Business Accounts

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by Brooktop

Thanks Dave, it is about horses for courses isn't it? Can I take you up on your offer of viewing some raw footage? Just 5 - 10 secs should do. Don't know how big such a file size would be, but if it's easier for you, I can pm you my e-mail address and you could either e-mail it or send it from MailBigFile.com | Send Large Files - Quick & Easy - Free Service - Web Transfer - Pro & Business Accounts

On their way to you now via Yousendit.

Three files that show how well the camera copes in different lighting. let me know if you want more.