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Posted by PTravel on 01/08/07 15:04
"Jim S" <Jim S@jimsplace.com> wrote in message
news:45a1b44f$1@clear.net.nz...
>
> "PTravel" <ptravel@travelersvideo.com> wrote in message
> news:50cbk2F1eku98U1@mid.individual.net...
>
>> The difference between a DV-codec-encoded avi and a DVD are visible on my
>> 9" monitor.
>>
>>>
>>> I guess when we all get high definition camcorders and blu ray discs and
>>> recorders, then there probably won't be a need to compress the video so
>>> that it fits on the DVD. But in the meantime, I can't see much wrong
>>> with DVD camcorders for people who are not wanting to project the
>>> results on to very large screens!
>>
>> Provided these people also don't have any interest in doing editing
>> beyond simple cuts and don't care about the quality of the result.
>>
>
> DVD camcorders are now recording in high definition TV. For example, see
> here about the Sony HDR-UX1E :
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yeeowv
>
> I think the quality of the result of this camcorder would be very good.
> Sony says that:
>
> "AVCHD is a revolutionary High Definition digital camcorder format for
> recording 1080i and 720p signals using MPEG-4 AVC and Dolby Digital 5.1ch
> or Linear PCM for video and audio codecs. Play back your footage on a
> HDTV, compatible DVD players and PC DVD drives with the bundled Player for
> AVCHD software."
AVCHD isn't, at this point, supported by many (if any) editing packages.
Sony has also arbitrarily limited the data bandwidth to between 15 and 17
mbps, compared with 25 mbps for HDV. The current crop of AVCHD camcorders
have significant artifact problems (for that matter, so do Sony's consumer
HDV camcorders, and for the same reason). The manufacturer's specs are
provided for marketing purposes and don't provide any real insight into the
relative quality of the video.
>
> DVD camcorders are getting better, and I would be quite happy to own this
> camcorder, even though I have owned miniDV camcorders for several years.
You might. I wouldn't be. I've held off moving to HDV because, as of yet,
there isn't an HDV equivalent of my VX2000. I certainly wouldn't consider
AVCHD until (1) the format is supported by the editing packages that I use,
and (2) the bandwidth constraints are removed so that the severe artifacts
that currently exist are considerably mitigated.
> Sure, I don't have a professional editing interest, but for home use,
> holidays, and the family, I don't think many people would be dissatisfied
> with the results of the new high definition DVD camcorders.
Ah, it's "good enough." The problem is, your "good enough" isn't the same
as other people's good enough. The current crop of AVCHD camcorders are the
high-def equivalent of the bottom of the line miniDV and DVD camcorders,
i.e. intended for shooting the kids birthday parties, etc., without regard
for video quality. I don't have a professional editing interest, however I
do have a strong interest in producing quality amateur video for my own
purposes. Obviously, I'm not the only one -- someone is buying all those
VX2100s.
> And I'm sure such people would also be happy with the editing capabilities
> provided by these HD DVD camcorders.
Right now, there is no editing capability.
> There must be a solid market for these DVD camcorders, otherwise why would
> Sony (and others) keep selling them and even produce HD DVD camcorders?
Sony, like Canon and JVC, are concerned that they will undercut sales of
their professional line of camcorders by producing "amateur" machines that
produce competitive video quality. It's why, when they took the TRV900 off
the market, they replaced it with the far less capable TRV950 -- it didn't
hold a candle to the TRV900, but it was loaded with the kind of gimmicks and
gegaws that appeal to "shoot the kid's birthday" set. The TRV900 was a
serious amateur machine that functioned at the prosumer level. Similarly,
the VX2000 and VX2100 competed with the PD150/170, but for about $1,000
less. Sony lost sales of its more expensive line of prosumer/low-end
professional machines, so it has decided not to market an HD equivalent.
>
> Cheers, Jim
>
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