Panasonic hc-v700 and vs x5

[dmz]

As Ken says, Mercalli helps to give a steadier shot.
No you do not need the extra files generated by the V700 and HDWriter filters them out to give you the video files only.
I find the V700 photos quite good. I tend to use them in videos as background or under titles.

I have both tripods and a monopod. I bought the monopod to take abroad. Personally I prefer a tripod, I have a Velbon with a fluid head, it is very substantial but the V700 looks a bit silly perched on such a mighty scaffold!

One (not advertised) benefit of cameras like the V700 is that they fit very neatly into a jacket pocket. So I have my video and a still camera always at hand. (Naturally the lens and cap are protected with a 46mm UV filter permanently screwed into place).

Thanks again. My HD Writer doesnt filter out the non m2ts files. Must be a setting. So you recommend a 46mm UV filter? Why is that?
I am thinking of a monopod as its easier to carry around. Also, I often have to film in confined spaces and a tripod just wont fit.

[Terfyn]

The filter is "sacrificial" to protect the lens and the motorised lens cap. The UV is effectively neutral to the colour and helps clean up the picture in sunlight. Monopod or tripod - its horses for courses. The monopod is certainly better than handheld and the tripod is the best if you use the 60x or (heaven forbid) the 1500x zoom.

I keep the OIS switched on at all times and this does help as does Mercalli. I guess, if you wish, you could upgrade from VSx5 to Ultimate. Ultimate gives you:-
NewBlue® Video Essentials
20 high-end filters and effects

Boris Graffiti 5.4
Template-driven, broadcast-quality titles and effects

proDAD Mercalli SE
Advanced image correction and rock-steady video stabilization

proDAD VitaScene V2 LE
100+ fully customizable, high-speed effects, transitions and filters

proDAD RotoPen
Exclusive to VideoStudio Pro X5 Ultimate!
Apply animated pen effects to maps, graphics and photos

I quote from the Corel site.

Ken, I hardly dare ask this but where is your Go-Pro going to be strapped? Surfing? On the front of the Harley?

[dmz]

Thanks again. I do have the Ultimate version btw.
I just never heard of Mercalli.
In fact what is a bit disappointing for those of us who never use filters is the lack of documentation.
I would like to know exactly what each filter is for and why you would use it. Sometimes you get a bit of doco on the former and sometimes its kinda obvious by the name of the filter. But whats really important is why you would use a filter.

[Terfyn]

Mercalli is the big M in the VSx5 filter set. I know what you mean about the filters, I can only guess at the use of the filter from the balloon picture and a small title underneath. The best way is to drag a filter over a bit of video and see what happens. the filters can be cancelled if you don't like the effect. Mercalli is useful as it improves the shot and gives a better viewing experience.
There are some special filters like Roto-Pen and Boris which provide extra tools to enhance the video and you will find that there may be more than one way to provide the effect you want. For example I wanted a ghost effect in a recent video, I used a photo as a background and put my figures on the overlay track, I then varied the transparency of the overlay to give the effect of ghost figures walking down a path. No filters were used.
I am not a great believer in putting loads of effects into my videos. I believe the video should tell a story and the pictures should speak for themselves without psycho effects bombarding the viewer. I also dislike the present trend of waving the camera about and zooming in and out like set of bellows. My method is to use the camera as my eye and let the subjects do all the work. (Sooooo yesterday)

[pvreditor]

FWIW, I have both a tripod and a monopod. I use both a lot, but for different purposes. It's much faster to carry, set up and shoot with a monopod, and it works fantastically to hold the camera high to get over crowds or even a wall.

Bob Kovacs
http://www.bobkovacs.com