I am brand new to video, and I am intrigued by Sony's new line of hard drive based camcorders, models hdr-sr1, dcr-sr100, etc
They record straight to a hard disk at 8mbps and encode in MPeg2-PS format (note the -ps thing). This quality is great for website video which is what I need it for. And because it is already compressed, I can take hours of video and archive it on my computer in mpeg2-ps format instead of the .AVI format producted from the DV camcorder tapes. I think AVI is about 20 times larger. So you can see why I would like to have a video file that is already encoded in compressed mpeg format.
The problem is that I need to confirm that Ulead VideoStudio 10 can directly import this sony Mpeg2-PS via the USB port and edit it just like it can any .avi file without having to "de-compress" it into .AVI format. In other words, I would like to edit it on the mpeg2-ps compressed format, using chromakey and adding special effects produced wtihin video studio.
Can anyone comment as to whether VideoStudio can support this Mpeg2-ps format from these sony hard drive camcorders, and if so, if they can be edited in this compressed format without incident, just like if it were an .avi file?
Any comments appreciated.
I dont need broadcast quality--as a matter of fact, after I am done editing it, I am going to have to encode it as either .wmv for windows media streaming, or the .FLV flash media streaming file format anyway. That will produce another 10-fold in compression.
I am basically just creating 1-minute infomercials, but i will be makeing several of these a day, 365 days a week, so i am looking for the best solution.
thanks,
steven
more info at:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSH ... pt=cameras
Ulead MovieStudio 10 and editing Mpeg2-PS file format
Moderator: Ken Berry
-
jchunter
Stephen,
Welcome to the forum!
Yes, you can edit mpeg2 program stream video files (.mpg files). There is no "capture" phase because you just use the Windows Explorer to transfer the video files from camcorder disk to your internal hard drive. Mpeg2, standard or high definition, files can then be placed in the edit timeline and edited with good results.
The dcr-sr100 is a standard definition camcorder and should be no problem. See review here http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/So ... Review.htm
However (you knew that this was coming), you also referenced the hdr-sr1, which is a high definition camcorder and uses a new mpeg codec - AVCHD, which AFAIK, is not available yet. When the codec is released, I expect that Video Studio will support the format. Read more here http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/forumdisplay ... ne=-1&f=40
Welcome to the forum!
Yes, you can edit mpeg2 program stream video files (.mpg files). There is no "capture" phase because you just use the Windows Explorer to transfer the video files from camcorder disk to your internal hard drive. Mpeg2, standard or high definition, files can then be placed in the edit timeline and edited with good results.
The dcr-sr100 is a standard definition camcorder and should be no problem. See review here http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/So ... Review.htm
However (you knew that this was coming), you also referenced the hdr-sr1, which is a high definition camcorder and uses a new mpeg codec - AVCHD, which AFAIK, is not available yet. When the codec is released, I expect that Video Studio will support the format. Read more here http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/forumdisplay ... ne=-1&f=40
-
whoisbambam
JCHunter,
Thank you for your help. I haven't yet used any NLE, so this was very welcome news to here that VideoStudio supports direct editing of Mpeg2-ps file format (notice that sony uses another letter at the end--I am assuming that doesn't matter?).
It was my understanding that the HDR-SR1 allows for the recording of both standard definition (at Mpeg2-ps) and at High Definition (AVCHD)--from their specs page url which is at the bottom of this post:
Video Recording System: AVCHD (HD) and MPEG2-PS (SD)
Video Signal System: NTSC color, EIA standards
Analog-to-Digital Converter: N/A
Format(s) Supported: AVCHD (HD), MPEG2-PS (SD) and JPEG
If this is the case, then if I record in standard definition, then Ulead should be able to edit this? I dont need high definition--i just need the mic and headset inputs, which this sony hard drive model has and all the others dont.
Thanks again for all your help.
I've posted the URL below for the HDR-SR1:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSH ... Camcorders
Thank you for your help. I haven't yet used any NLE, so this was very welcome news to here that VideoStudio supports direct editing of Mpeg2-ps file format (notice that sony uses another letter at the end--I am assuming that doesn't matter?).
It was my understanding that the HDR-SR1 allows for the recording of both standard definition (at Mpeg2-ps) and at High Definition (AVCHD)--from their specs page url which is at the bottom of this post:
Video Recording System: AVCHD (HD) and MPEG2-PS (SD)
Video Signal System: NTSC color, EIA standards
Analog-to-Digital Converter: N/A
Format(s) Supported: AVCHD (HD), MPEG2-PS (SD) and JPEG
If this is the case, then if I record in standard definition, then Ulead should be able to edit this? I dont need high definition--i just need the mic and headset inputs, which this sony hard drive model has and all the others dont.
Thanks again for all your help.
I've posted the URL below for the HDR-SR1:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSH ... Camcorders
-
jchunter
-
whoisbambam
sony reliability
I just purchased a panasonic PV-GS180 MiniDV camcorder based on the reviews at camcorderinfo.com--I could not find another $400 camcorder that had mic in, headset jack, and manual controls for aperture, shutter, focus, etc. so it seemed to be the best bang for the buck--I hope I was right.
That is going to transfer over .avi files, and .avi files are huge. And I am going to be using my camcorders for website video infomercials, so I don't need HD, or 25mbps throughput of the DV cams. The 8mbsp that the sony hard drive camcorders will suffice. I am going to be doing infomercial type video 365 days a week, and only in 1-5minute shots. So time is a concern. It seems to me that the hard drive camcorders would save a bunch of time--it is in compressed mpeg2 format, so this is adequate for daily archiving. I can edit mpeg2-ps according to you in videostudio, so i wont have to re-encode to .avi. And then I can convert the mpeg2 to .FLV file format or .WMV format for streaming web media format.
I plan on waiting for the camcorderinfo.com review of the HDR-SR1 before I make my purchase. Indeed, one of the newest sony models had a bunch of "blue" in the film, which was unexpected since that was an issue sony supposedly resolved awhile back.
So, considering my particular use of the camcorder, wouldn't you concur that the hdr-sr1 along with the camcorderinfo review would be a prudent purchase for my particular use of the camcorder?
I could wait 30 days and try to do some searches for reviews, but it isn't easy finding customer feedback that fast. I could try amazon.com, epinions, bizrate.com, and camcorderinfo.com and try to see if any customers left feedback.
let me know your thoughts. I cannot use any of the other hard drive camcorders because they don't have the manual focus, the external mic, and the headset features, which I want to be able to have.
thanks again,
steven
p.s. i noticed i misspelled "hear" in the previous post.
That is going to transfer over .avi files, and .avi files are huge. And I am going to be using my camcorders for website video infomercials, so I don't need HD, or 25mbps throughput of the DV cams. The 8mbsp that the sony hard drive camcorders will suffice. I am going to be doing infomercial type video 365 days a week, and only in 1-5minute shots. So time is a concern. It seems to me that the hard drive camcorders would save a bunch of time--it is in compressed mpeg2 format, so this is adequate for daily archiving. I can edit mpeg2-ps according to you in videostudio, so i wont have to re-encode to .avi. And then I can convert the mpeg2 to .FLV file format or .WMV format for streaming web media format.
I plan on waiting for the camcorderinfo.com review of the HDR-SR1 before I make my purchase. Indeed, one of the newest sony models had a bunch of "blue" in the film, which was unexpected since that was an issue sony supposedly resolved awhile back.
So, considering my particular use of the camcorder, wouldn't you concur that the hdr-sr1 along with the camcorderinfo review would be a prudent purchase for my particular use of the camcorder?
I could wait 30 days and try to do some searches for reviews, but it isn't easy finding customer feedback that fast. I could try amazon.com, epinions, bizrate.com, and camcorderinfo.com and try to see if any customers left feedback.
let me know your thoughts. I cannot use any of the other hard drive camcorders because they don't have the manual focus, the external mic, and the headset features, which I want to be able to have.
thanks again,
steven
p.s. i noticed i misspelled "hear" in the previous post.
-
jchunter
Steven,
I have no experience with the PV-GS180. I used to have a GS400, which I loved, before I crossed over to the "dark side" with a high definition Sony camcorder. Pana has a great user website at http://www.pana3ccduser.com/
You have the option to capture directly to mpeg2 if you have a fast computer (see http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=27 ) I did it all the time from the GS400. This should be no problem if you are only capturing a few minutes of video at a time and you will not have to suffer the transcoding delays from DV to Mpeg.
You do need to get some experience, first!
I have no experience with the PV-GS180. I used to have a GS400, which I loved, before I crossed over to the "dark side" with a high definition Sony camcorder. Pana has a great user website at http://www.pana3ccduser.com/
You have the option to capture directly to mpeg2 if you have a fast computer (see http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=27 ) I did it all the time from the GS400. This should be no problem if you are only capturing a few minutes of video at a time and you will not have to suffer the transcoding delays from DV to Mpeg.
You do need to get some experience, first!
-
whoisbambam
sony hard drive camcorders
Once again, thank you for your feedback--it is much appreciated.
I was going to buy the GS400 as it is the defacto standard by which all other camcorders are based. However, I heard alot about "tape transfer" issues, and I didn't want to get such an aftermarket unit, especially after hearing the horror stories from customer support from panasonic (amazon reviews, etc)
If I could have found a working GS400 unit from a reliable source, I would have bought that instead of the GS180. But since I don't, I bought the next best thing--completely manual like the GS400 with the mic and headset inputs.
Actually, computers I know very well, having several certifications and having built about 100 units (comptia a+, server+, network+, i-net, etc). I have built Terabyte Cluster services (microsoft clusering services), each machine with 8GB ram using windows 2000 advanced server.
I do not wish to use computer hardware as the capture medium based on a multitude of potential issues and limitations. I'd rather use the built-in encoders that Sony has in their camcorders for the best possible compression.
Computers burp all the time, and one needs a clean, steady stream of encoding to get proper results--of course this is for website video, but i think i'd just rather use the built-in encoders sony has.
However, having said this........I am going to try it out anyway.
But I still would like a dedicated hard drive based camcorder for the encoding.
in closing, I must thank you whole heartedly. You are the only person who has provided direct feedback for my given issue and concerns, and you've outlined them for me clearly:
1. get experience
2. wait till the sand settles--watch reviews cause the units may be defective
3. consider your other options--my GS180 can be captured into Mpeg2 straight into the computer--now realize, i am only using the USB device of the GS180, and I don't have any canopys dedicated video card or pinacle system. I am assuming you are saying that VideoStudio does software encoding via the computer hardware itself and no special card is required.
steven
I was going to buy the GS400 as it is the defacto standard by which all other camcorders are based. However, I heard alot about "tape transfer" issues, and I didn't want to get such an aftermarket unit, especially after hearing the horror stories from customer support from panasonic (amazon reviews, etc)
If I could have found a working GS400 unit from a reliable source, I would have bought that instead of the GS180. But since I don't, I bought the next best thing--completely manual like the GS400 with the mic and headset inputs.
Actually, computers I know very well, having several certifications and having built about 100 units (comptia a+, server+, network+, i-net, etc). I have built Terabyte Cluster services (microsoft clusering services), each machine with 8GB ram using windows 2000 advanced server.
I do not wish to use computer hardware as the capture medium based on a multitude of potential issues and limitations. I'd rather use the built-in encoders that Sony has in their camcorders for the best possible compression.
Computers burp all the time, and one needs a clean, steady stream of encoding to get proper results--of course this is for website video, but i think i'd just rather use the built-in encoders sony has.
However, having said this........I am going to try it out anyway.
But I still would like a dedicated hard drive based camcorder for the encoding.
in closing, I must thank you whole heartedly. You are the only person who has provided direct feedback for my given issue and concerns, and you've outlined them for me clearly:
1. get experience
2. wait till the sand settles--watch reviews cause the units may be defective
3. consider your other options--my GS180 can be captured into Mpeg2 straight into the computer--now realize, i am only using the USB device of the GS180, and I don't have any canopys dedicated video card or pinacle system. I am assuming you are saying that VideoStudio does software encoding via the computer hardware itself and no special card is required.
steven
-
jchunter_2