HD Camcorder question - DPChallenge Forums

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

04/03/2009 02:30:40 PM · #1

So I'm looking into replacing my very old Hi-8 camcorder and am looking at Canon's Vixia HF-20 and HF-10. If anybody has hands on experience with either, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I have a general question though. HD is, of course 1920x1080. The HF-20 can record in 24MBPS HD while the HF-10 can record in 17MBPS HD. The sensor on the 10 records at 1920x1080 while the HF-20 records at 2304x1296. What is gained by the increased resolution over 1920x1080 on video? I'm not clear how this shows up in real life.

Help?

Paul

Leica SL

04/03/2009 03:00:41 PM · #2

I have an HF-100, which is pretty much identical to to the HF-10 but with removable media. I'm very happy with it; as with all these cameras, how you edit it is important - global compatibility with various software doesn't seem to be guaranteed. I edit mine on a Mac with Final Cut Studio (or iMovie) and once I realised how to access the video file (it is nested in a folder) and if memory serves I think you pull the whole folder across rather than the video file itself - everything worked fine.

I have to say, I'm a big fan of the removable media formats; I have a couple of JVC Everios, one with a hard drive and one with removable media. I always used the removable media one - much easier than trying to lay your hands on a cable - just stuff the card in a reader and you have complete independence from having to keep the camera powered too.

In answer to your second question; the resolution on the HF-20 seems a bit overkill; I'm not sure how you would display this video and I'm not sure many software products would allow you to edit it.

I probably haven't helped much, it sounds as if you know more about these products than I do, but I wanted to at least suggest the removable media route.

Paul

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/26/2009 04:10:09 PM · #3

So here's another question. Do I have to find a AVCHD compatible blue-ray DVD player to play these back after editing? Are most Blue-Ray DVD players AVCHD compatible or is this something I have to seek out specifically?

owen

Canon EOS-40D

05/27/2009 04:21:32 AM · #4

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

There are higher standards of video than 1080p ( 1920x1080 ) that already exist, which broadcast TV etc. will probably get to in the future. In the mean time you could buy a monitor with 2304x1296 res. or higher and enjoy the higher quality. Not much advantage beyond that I don't think unless there is some editing progs that can take advantage of it by cropping, removing shake or just achieving a better result when down sizing to 1920x1080.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/27/2009 04:44:57 AM · #5

I bought a Canon HG-10 in October. Before that I had a miniDV JVC. I gotta say - I like the HD, but as mentioned previously, removable media is the way to go - I wish I'd thought of this. My HG-10 is a pain to transfer video from. Also, the format of the files I transfer (M2ts) have to be converted through 2 or 3 apps before I get something I can simply play or post or burn. I may not know what I am doing though. ;-)

Good luck with it, Doc.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/27/2009 08:28:01 AM · #6

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Funny, I bought a camcorder which writes directly to DVD, and I hate having all the media lying around. I wish they were just files on my computer. =D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/27/2009 11:08:41 AM · #7

I'm trying to wade through AVS Forus to get my answer, but I have to say that forum has to be the most confusing place in the world.

It SEEMS (and I use that quite loosly), that most Blu-Ray Players can play AVCHD burned onto a regular DVD, but this isn't confirmed because I may be misunderstanding. It's unclear whether most Blu-Ray Players can play AVCHD burned onto a Blu-Ray disc.

I'll keep looking around.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/27/2009 05:00:37 PM · #8

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

It SEEMS (and I use that quite loosly), that most Blu-Ray Players can play AVCHD burned onto a regular DVD, but this isn't confirmed because I may be misunderstanding. It's unclear whether most Blu-Ray Players can play AVCHD burned onto a Blu-Ray disc.

Well, since AVCHD is simply a file format, and DVD/Blu-Ray Disc are simply storage media, it makes most sense to me that the storage media (disc) doesn't matter as long as 1) the player can use the media, and 2) the player can understand the file format.

That is, if it can understand AVCHD on DVD, and can read BD-R's, there's no reason it shouldn't be able to play AVCHD on Blu-Ray disc.

But then, things don't always make sense in the computer world. =)

Message edited by author 2009-05-27 17:01:13.