DVD and HDD Camcorder

[vkid]

Hi

Thinking of getting DVD or HDD camcorder. have the following queries:

1. Understand the recording format is MPEG2. Is it possible to record in AVI format or getting the miniDV cam is the only option?

2. If i go with Mpeg2 format ... presumably i use products like sony vegas studio to edit, will there be issues with lip sync esp if i cut a clip and insert say a picture etc.

thank you for replying in advance

 

[jaegersing]

A couple of years ago, I would have been concerned about editing MPEG2 files. Times have changed! Actually the new editing software (such as Vegas that you mention) can handle MPEG2 OK. Not as smooth as DV AVI but still quite manageable.

What you have to watch out for is high def HDD camcorder using AVCHD format. Right now, I don't think anything can edit this, and the conversion software that comes with the camera only converts to SD. I would advise staying clear of AVCHD until there is better support all the way through the editing stage. If you are looking at SD cameras though, you will probably not have such a problem.

If you want DV AVI recording, the only way I know if to get an external hard disk (e.g. Firestore or Sony) that connects thru firewire to the camcorder. It's quite a good solution but not cheap.

 

[vkid]

Thanks jaegersing for responding ...

Wow that means I need to avoid Sony HDR-UX1E ... seems to be AVCHD format.

Can you also advise where I can get more details about connecting Firstone or Sony to the camcorder? I.E. what is required to be supported by the camcorder?

Thanks Heaps

 

[jaegersing]

Can you also advise where I can get more details about connecting Firstone or Sony to the camcorder? I.E. what is required to be supported by the camcorder?

For the Firestore, you could search this forum for more info.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=65

The Sony unit is the DR-60, you could try searching for it. Basically it is optimised for the Sony V1 camera, meaning that you can start/stop the hard disk recording from the camera, you can see the disk status on the camera display, you can record to disk with no tape in the camera, and you can play back from the disk to the camera display.

For other Sony cameras, you will not get any display of disk status, but you should be able to start/stop the disk recording from the camera (you need to have a tape in the camera for this to work). I don't think you can play back from disk to camera display, but I'm not sure about this.

For non-Sony cameras, most likely you need to start/stop the hard disk using the buttons on the unit. This is quite tedious when shooting so not an ideal solution.

If you want more info on the DR-60, contact VideoCobra at the Videolifestyle forum below. He is using it with more than one Sony camera so should be able to give you good advice.

http://www.videolifestyle.com/forum/index.php