Archiving to HD Format Opinions needed

Howell · Post by **Howell** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:22 am

I had a thought, of as I create my videos to DVD, that would it be feasable to actually create the video to HD and then storing as data for future use as and when HD burners become available. At least then, you wouldnot have to re-edit the videos. Obviously, it may require the video to be stored over a number of discs but given the low cost of dvd media these days it is not cost prohibitive. So I would like any opinions on the following questions if possible:-

Is it a good idea to go down this route?

How future proof is Videostudio 10+ HD creation method? Will it create the HD file with the correct parameters? I will probably buy future editions of Videostudio as they are released.

I have done some test HD format files and they seem to have the corect properties. I do realise that it will not improve the video quality but at least my files will be ready for HD burning.

Would welcome any opinions or comments.

Thanks

Howell

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:45 pm

What format are you starting from

Regards,
George

Howell · Post by **Howell** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:46 pm

I will be archiving all my old 8mm and Hi 8 tapes to DVD via avi. Plus of course my miniDV tapes again via avi and then to dvd. So I presume that all my video, whatever the source will be avi when first captured, so I will be using the same avi that I will be using to create dvd.

Thanks
Howell

tyamada · Post by **tyamada** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:00 pm

I suggest you buy a DVD player the upconverts the video signal to HD format. I have a Toshiba SD-K850 that connects to my HDTV with a HDMI cable and upconverts the signal to 1080 or 720. That way I don't have to wait for HD/Blue Ray to become available and I can play the DVD in a standard setup.

If you have the time to convert your video files to HD (it takes approximately 5 min to convert 1 min of Standard Definition video to High Definition)it will be a lot of compter time.

I would just make Standard DVD from your video will be less time and effort..

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:19 pm

Howell,

For archiving, I do the following:
1) Save the original Mpeg2 HDV tape, as the archive of last resort. IMO, the tape is too slow to use for recovering the project, unless all else fails.

2) I capture and edit in that same format, and save the project file and ALL the project assets on DVDs, as data files. I can fit about 20 minutes of HD video on a DVD and so I keep my projects short. If I need to resuscitate a project, I can very quickly copy the project from the DVD into the computer. If I only need to do light editing or just create a video file, I can do this directly from the DVD, without copying it all in to the computer hard drives. Dual layer DVDs will really help, here. I'm going to get a DL burner soon.

3) I also will be archiving on an external hard drive. I picked up a 250GB USB unit for $89 and use that for playback of high def files on the HDTV. There is plenty of room for quick, redundant archiving on this drive. This will be useful as long as computers support the USB2 connector. These hard drives are only getting cheaper, faster, and more capacious...

4) Interesting you should ask about future proofing. I just tried to capture some of my 30 year-old Super8 film to digital format through my old Super8 projector and five minutes into the project, the projector failed - stripped drive gear.

When I called Kodak about replacement parts, they said that none were available for that old model. Right now, I am stuck, unless I can locate another projector in a garage sale or thrift store...

The lesson for me is that I should have digitized all my super8 film as soon as it became clear that advancing technology was going to weaken or cripple the companies that were making film equipment.

I think that the answer to your question is that you have to stand ready to convert your archived video as soon as storage technology advances one complete step. Right now, we have moved only half a step, without affordable Blu-Ray or HD-DVD equipment... Unfortunately, foot-dragging on these products continues and we have to face the real possibility that the technology is still-born, which means will make do with what I have outlined above, for a long time.

lespurgeon · Post by **lespurgeon** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:18 am

Might be worth it for the DV files, but I think better just to backup the native DV stream. For High8, I think nothing would be gained going from DVD SD quality to HD quality.

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:24 am

Howell · Post by **Howell** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:08 am

Thank you for these replies.
Personally, as most of my own videos are normally less than 10 minutes long, I think I will create HD files ready for whenever HD becomes more accessible. Therefor, a 10 minute HD video would take about an hour to render which is not a problem for me.
As for the comment about the cine, I have just been given a few reels of cine film to convert to dvd for our local rugby club. They have provided me with a projector which I think I am keeping anyway as no one wants it. As my previous projector has packed in then this will be a replacement.
Anyway, thanks everyone.

Howell