Types of Videocams compatible with VideoStudio 9-10

[malone63]

Hi all....

I am looking to replace my Sony TRV330 (Digital , which is dying an ugly death. I am in the market to replace it.

Now, I lurve my VideoStudio 9+, and have been looking at videocam reviews , I know the specs I want, but I need to know what issues you guys are are having with the new techonology and any issues with VideoStudio.

I am thinking of going HDD. But original footage will have to be backed up somewhere. I have no issues with tapes.
But if its already in MPEG2 , are these roughly the same size in MPEG2 files I generally capture from my original TRV330? I was told 1 hour on HDD was 20gigs? If that's the case then I don't want to go bigger hard drive storage.

HI-DEF (MiniDV, e.g Sony ).
The tape part interests me, I can store those without having to look for more storage medium.

MiniDV.
I think the actual diffence from what I've been using, but only on MiniDV tapes?

I am looking at what people types people are using, and compatibility if any with VideoStudio.

Sony DCR-SR80, Sony HDRHC3, Panasonic NV-GS180, & Panasonic NV-GS300.

The only other solution is have old trusty repaired.

Those Videocam reviews are nice but I sense the need to seek information from the norm to get a realistic sense of direction from people who use this technology with VideoStudio.

If you by any chnace have a good Videocam review site pls don't hesitate to let me know too!

Thanks for your time, in advance.

[rwindeyer]

(PERSONAL OPINION ONLY )

Mini DV: highest quality standard definition video possible. Easiest to use and edit. Takes about 13 Gb space on computer hard drive per hour of video. I own a Panasonic GS400 (great cam!!)

HDD: Records in mpeg2 format. This video is already compressed, and there can be issues and difficulties if you want to do lots of editing. Some cameras use a proprietary extension for the files; transferring them to computer can be difficult. In high quality mode, mpeg2 would occupy about 4 Gb per hour.

DVD: See HDD. Records in mpeg2 format; editing issues. In high quality mode, you get 20 minutes per disc.

High Definition: Video is compressed to mpeg2 format (to get it onto Mini DV tape) or to AVCHD (mpeg4 - for HDD). Mpeg2 takes serious horsepower to edit, and has all the hassles as above; mpeg4 is almost impossible to edit with the current range of editing software available. Then you need to put it onto a Blu-Ray disc (just becoming available) to play in your high-def capable DVD player (think there may be some onthe market)

In short: I prefer Mini DV for quality, HDD can involve technical hassles as can DVD, and I don't think High Def is quite there yet.

[heinz-oz]

I tend to second Ron's remarks entirely. Whilst the HD cameras record in mpeg2, they do that a very high bitrates and some people on this board insist that the mpeg files from these cam's can be edited with good results.

I personally would stay clear of Sony because of their tendency to make things overly complicated in order to implement DRM and often don't even support their own file formats for long if these are not taken up main stream.

Independent of brands I personally wouldn't touch at any case, I would also, at this point in time stay away from entry level DVD or HDD cameras. These often record in highly compressed mpeg4 or MOV format and tend to create a lot of problems when trying to edit the footage.

The new format AVCHD of many of the HDD cameras is not yet supported by any NLE software I know of. That will surely change with time but who really knows.

The conclusion I have come to is this: If you want to be flexible with your video editing, best format is miniDV tape. It's relatively cheap to buy new tapes and the quality you get from these tapes, influenced only by the quality of camera you buy and the lenses used, is excellent.

If you want to go HighDef, I agree with Ron here, it doesn't seem to be quite there yet. It also doesn't really do you much good on standard DVD either. As long as the finally accepted HD disk format is not decided, be it BlueRay or HDDVD, I wouldn't consider it and would not yet buy a HighDef camera.

[sjj1805]

I second those opinions and observations.

[maddrummer3301]

.

[heinz-oz]

Is there a point to your post, MD? If there is, it's shrouded in mystery

[maddrummer3301]

.