Posted by carlmart on 10/28/06 17:32

mv@movingvision.co.uk wrote:
> The MPEG audio as recorded on to the Z1 when in HDV mode is as clean as
> a whistle. The issue of audio compression in this respect is far less
> impacting on acquisition quality than many who don't actually use the
> format would assert. For most location environments I doubt anyone would
> notice the difference, even recording live music. In my experience it's
> far more a matter of the actual camera, it's pre-amps and the position
> and quality of the mic that make the difference. For example I don't use
> the close fitted mike holder provided on the Z1, it picks up too much
> servo and handling noise. I use a Rode offset raised suspension holder
> with Sennheiser K6 or K3 powered mics. The results are about as clean as
> you could expect from any camera audio recording set up.
>
> The other aspect to recording on MPEG 1 layer 2 audio is to get out of
> it before editing. The same applies to HDV video. If one does not have
> the correct post production tools don't use the format. The key to HDV
> video and audio is the transcoding in post. All other observations are
> spurious without it.
>
> One should never take ones own limited case for a generality. Others
> have differing experiences, it pays to find out how and why before
> giving ones soul into the keeping of others, as it were.

That's why my warning to those that think MPEG is good enough. For me
it's not and that's why my suggestion to look at alternative ways.

Of course the mics would improve of what Sony put there, but not on the
recording compression. For me if it's compressed it should be improved.
Sony took many MD stages until it got to a non compressed MD with
Hi-MD.

The key to any quality video or audio is to use as less compression as
possible. In audio the tools are simpler to get, in video they are not
for now. The tools are there to be used. My suggestion is start
improving on what we can. I don't agree with what I consider your more
"conservative" ideas, so I am proposing a different way to deal with
them. Please respect that and move on.

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