Record mode

[Ken Veal]

My camcorder , amongst other options, can record in
HA1920, HG1920, HX1920 and HE1920 modes .If the resulting video is to be viewed on a standard DVD/player, which options should I use

[Ken Berry]

Since a standard def DVD player can usually only play standard def video, and usually in DVD-compatible mpeg-2 format, it doesn't really matter which of those you choose. It will still need down-converting to standard def mpeg-2... However, I personally would use the highest quality setting, which I assume is the first, as this would ensure you have the best quality possible for other purposes (such as burning eventually to Blu-Ray or playing via a Blu-Ray player or directly on a HDTV). But it will at least give you a high quality basis for the down-conversion to mpeg-2.

[Ken Veal]

I asked the question because although every one now has HD TVs, not everyone has blue ray players to watch my masterpieces on! I guess the option to downgrade will be available in the create disc stage?

[Ken Berry]

I guess the option to downgrade will be available in the create disc stage?

Well yes. Though I think I your recent long thread on HD, with Trevor, I think our usual suggestion was also made: that instead of leaving everything to the Share > Create Disc stage, you instead first produce a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 in the Edit stage. Then when you go to the Create Disc stage you simply insert that new file for burning to DVD. Less chances of problems arising that way. And you can also, with the same project, but separately, produce a high def version for yourself.

[Terfyn]

My camcorder , amongst other options, can record in
HA1920, HG1920, HX1920 and HE1920 modes .If the resulting video is to be viewed on a standard DVD/player, which options should I use

Your list suggests a Panasonic camera. In which case set it to 1080/50p and let X7 sort out the changes. I input at 1080/50p and then render to SD for a DVD for my family and AVCHD for my own use. Its all there for you.

[lata]

Hi Guys

I use the HA1920 option that records to 16800kbps. The files are suitable to burn to disc without further conversion as they are bluray compatible.

I am relatively new to HD work and have tried the 50P approach with mixed poor results when downscaling to SD.
50P of course also needs converting to 25fps before burning a disc.

I will use 50P next recording session to give it a good run. The additional render times would be acceptable if the quality is there.
No problems with HD work, only downscaling to SD.

Downscaling the HA1920 types is giving me poor quality so much that I was about to post today regarding the issue, after uploading a couple of samples.
(If I were to record using my old camera GS400 mini DV the final disc quality would knock spots of these downscaled versions.)

Terfyn
Can you tell us what process you use to burn a BD, the properties you use to convert the videos. I have tried all options I can think of including X6.

[Terfyn]

Terfyn
Can you tell us what process you use to burn a BD, the properties you use to convert the videos. I have tried all options I can think of including X6.
Sorry nothing clever, I just follow the X7 process. I don't do Blu-Ray only AVCHD.

[lata]

Hi

Ken and I want to burn a Standard Definition disc, converting the MTS to Mpeg2
Its that process that is causing me quality problems.

I do not have a problem with quality burning a Hybrid or Bluray disc

a Hybrid requires a Bluray player to play the disc, not all my family have Bluray players.

I have just last week purchased a Bluray Writer, burned one disc so far as ok.

Anyway I am uploading some samples as I write this, when uploaded I will new post my problem.

[Ken Veal]

Yes, I have a Panasonic HC-X920 that will record in 1080/50p.I did not list that, because, as previously mentioned, it needs to be converted to 25fps to burn a disc. So the consensus is to make a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 in the Edit stage, not in the Create disc step to avoid pos problems. I use X5, is the suggestion put forward that X5 in not capable of dealing with the conversion issue whereas X7 is? Or am I missing something here. So what is the difference between HA, HG and HE modes, why are there these options .Is there a difference in quality or does that only depend on the kbps .

[canuck]

Yes, I have a Panasonic HC-X920 that will record in 1080/50p.I did not list that, because, as previously mentioned, it needs to be converted to 25fps to burn a disc. So the consensus is to make a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 in the Edit stage, not in the Create disc step to avoid pos problems. I use X5, is the suggestion put forward that X5 in not capable of dealing with the conversion issue whereas X7 is? Or am I missing something here. So what is the difference between HA, HG and HE modes, why are there these options .Is there a difference in quality or does that only depend on the kbps .

To find out the difference between the Panason modes you should really ask Panasonic. A simple google search will also give a lot hits. Here is one: http://www.avforums.com/threads/differe ... e.1460091/

[Ken Veal]

Found this at
http://documentation.apple.com/en/final ... tasks=true
AVCHD is an HD video format that uses Advanced Video Coding (AVC) compression (also known as MPEG-4 part 10 or H.264)
Panasonic Camcorder AVCHD Quality Levels This table lists the bit rates for different quality-level settings on Panasonic AVCHD camcorders. Depending on the quality-level setting, Panasonic camcorders use either constant bit rate (CBR) or variable bit rate (VBR) encoding.
Format name Bit rate
PH 21 Mbps (VBR)
HA 17 Mbps (VBR)
HF 13 Mbps (CBR)
HG 13 Mbps (VBR)
HN 9 Mbps (VBR)
HE 6 Mbps (VBR)
So would downscaling a lower quality than recorded HA files such as HE affect the quality much and would it solve conversion probs

[lata]

Hi Ken

You should record to the highest quality you can, if you wish you have the option of downscaling using VS by rendering to another Data Rate, although I don’t know why you should want to do that?
I use the HA 17Mbps, but I notice that you have a higher choice in PH.
You should record a test using that to see if the only difference is the data rate.
The 17 option will use 16800kbps, as near to 17 as matters.

The files are suitable of being burned to Bluray or Hybrid disc.
To burn a Standard Definition they will require converting to Mpeg2.
That may cause quality issues, but X5 seems to do a better job than X7, otherwise use a video converter software to do the job.

Last week I installed a Bluray Writer to my pc so can burn BD.
Part of the process uses Video Studio up to creating a Bluray Folder.
I can play the folder to check quality then ImgBurn was used to burn that folder to disc