Two Questions: PAL and Video Transfer

[Renman2735]

Dear Experts

I am completely new to videography and have a couple of questions I hope you can help me with.

1. I have decided to order a camcorder from B&H (Panasonic TM700 or HS60).

The price difference between NTSC and PAL however is substantial! Will my purchase of NTSC be a problem if

a) I will mainly be using filming vids to upload to youtube

b) burning to DVD which I will watch mainly on computer

c) MAYBE burn to DVD which I will watch on my Panasonic plasma (which claims to be multi-region anyway)?

2. It was a real difficult decision between the two due to cost. I really wanted an external mike, remote control, etc. However one I couldn't resolve, which I hope you can is this.

I read in reviews that the TM700 1080/60p format is next to impossible to download to a computer, but can only be watched by hooking directly to my HD TV. There is a proprietary software which is pretty poor, according to reviews.

Other than this format though, will using AVCHD be a straightforward matter of removing my SDXC card, slotting it into my card reader, and then happily transferring and manipulating it on my computer? If so, one more attraction for me to pay for the TM700 goes and I am seriously considering doing the HS/TM/SD60 instead


Thank you all in advance!

RM2735

 

[Bamboopictures]

If you shoot NTSC in PAL region where the AC voltage is 50Hz, your video will exhibit sever flickering and banding under flourescent lighting. You will have to avoid shooting footage indoors or in areas where there are neon signages.

 

[DXNMedia]

If you shoot NTSC in PAL region where the AC voltage is 50Hz, your video will exhibit sever flickering and banding under flourescent lighting. You will have to avoid shooting footage indoors or in areas where there are neon signages.

Flicker problem is there, but usually can be solved by adjusting your shutter speed.
Most NTSC badged models offer 24fps shooting frame rate too, so that really eliminates the possibility of having flicker issues in 50Hz countries. :thumbsup:

 

[Renman2735]

If you shoot NTSC in PAL region where the AC voltage is 50Hz, your video will exhibit sever flickering and banding under flourescent lighting. You will have to avoid shooting footage indoors or in areas where there are neon signages.

Hi Bamboopictures,
Thanks a lot for that. Makes it really clear to me and since I'll be doing most shooting indoors and under fluorescent light it's definitely a consideration!

 

[Renman2735]

Flicker problem is there, but usually can be solved by adjusting your shutter speed.
Most NTSC badged models offer 24fps shooting frame rate too, so that really eliminates the possibility of having flicker issues in 50Hz countries. :thumbsup:

Thanks DXNMedia! What sort of shutter speeds are we talking about?
Also, how about syncing/ frame-to-frame editing problems. Is that going to be significant?

 

[Bamboopictures]

Just a caveat on the issue of flickering. Although shooting in multiples of 1/50s(1/50,1/100, 1/150)theoretically can eliminate flickering, some cameras do not actually achieve such speeds accurately. My Lumix GH2 in 30p mode can produce flicker-free video at shutters 1/50, 1/100 but not my Lumix G2. It flickers at 30p no matter what I do. I suspect that in auto exposure mode, shutter speeds tend to hover continuous between settings and seldom hit those multiples of 50Hz you need.