Video Formats

[NOKNOT]

VideoStudio Prox4 along with Vegas Movie Studio 10 are the only editing programs I use. I am forced to purchase a new camcorder and not knowing that much about the different formats I would like to get one that will work with both programs. I posted a similar question in Sony Forum so I know a little bit about what to look for concerning Vegas. They said to stay away from 1080/60p and find a camcorder that will give me 1080/60i also. Will that be true foe VideoStudio also? Another question is I would like to stay with Standard Def, however its hard to find a Standard Def camcorder, a few shoots HD and Standard Def, but I noticed it says the format is mpeg2-ps, I dont know what the ps means? Any help or suggestions concerning a good camcorder would be appreciated, thanks.

[jecklehead]

Why SD? Other than the camera probably costing less than 200 bucks I can't see a good reason for it

If its a budget thing I would recommend getting a used Canon Vixia and just set the quality to SD. You could probably get a used HFs10 for like 3-400 bucks and Video Studio or Vegas will have zero issues with their native MTS format.

[DVDDoug]

...but I noticed it says the format is mpeg2-ps

"PS" means program stream, which is a regular computer file (or DVD/Blu-Ray).

"TS" means transport stream, which is for transmission/broadcast. If you directly capture a digital broadcast, you may need to convert from TS to PS, or the software may convert it automatically.

[NOKNOT]

[quote="jecklehead"]Why SD? Other than the camera probably costing less than 200 bucks I can't see a good reason for it

From what I read, you have to have a HD player to play HD DVD. Im not sure but I dont think Blu-Ray will play in HD player or HD will play in Blu-Ray player so why invest alot of money until they sort this mess out.

[jecklehead]

From what I read, you have to have a HD player to play HD DVD. Im not sure but I dont think Blu-Ray will play in HD player or HD will play in Blu-Ray player so why invest alot of money until they sort this mess out.

Before you make your purchase please know that shooting in HD has nothing to do with your ability render and burn the files to any medium you want.
Don't think of it in terms of HD vs SD... it all comes down to bit rate and resolution and you can put ANY bit rate or resolution on any DVD, blueray, etc etc.
Going with an SD camcorder changes nothing as all of that is done in your software.

Example -
Last week I filmed a 30 minute production at 1080p but the customer just wants a normal DVD... No problem! Once the file is rendered at a bit rate that will fit on a normal dvd VSx4 should have no problem doing so. Hell I could even drag and drop the file into the stock windows DVD program and make one..

Bottom line is you don't have to make HD dvds or Blueray discs just because your raw footage is HD.

Hope this helps

[skier-hughes]

Blu ray is now the format in common use. When people talk of making an HD dvd, they'll mean Blu Ray.

[NOKNOT]

Thanks guys for clearing alot up for me.