Recording in 16-bit audio vs. 12 bit. Difference?

coachgrd · Post by **coachgrd** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:19 pm

I ran across an article that covered basic digital camcorder usage. Nothing earth shattering until I read that most commercial camcorders come with a default setting of 12-bit audio (32kHz). The article suggests users, before they begin any taping, to make an immediate switch to recording in 16-bit (49 kHz) audio.

I wouldn't know one from the other so can anyone explain to me why 16-bit would be better?

Thanks!
-coachgrd

kamnet · Post by **kamnet** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:21 am

I've always went with the assumption of "bigger = better" when it comes to audio and video, but I never thought to ask why. Looks like I may be right, at least according to this topic posted elsewhere on the Internet:

http://forum.videohelp.com/topic265201.html

I looked around and found pretty much the same explaination on many boards - 16-bit is more in-line with DVD audio, it will just sound better especially if the sound gets mixed down.

Hopefully this was helpful.