Jakenbocker asked:
I am just wondering this, because I am trying to find an HD camcorder, and I was wondering what the advantages, disadvantages, and differences are between these two types of camcorders, and what would work best for me.
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I am just wondering this, because I am trying to find an HD camcorder, and I was wondering what the advantages, disadvantages, and differences are between these two types of camcorders, and what would work best for me.
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They are both ‘digital. The difference is that the DV stores HD video on tape in a digital MPEG-2 format – slightly confusing I know. The other cameras, specifically the flash drive and SD card ones, capture video in more compressed formats, such as AVCHD, MJPEG or Mpeg 4. The third type is the hard-drive variety which usually captures footage as MPEG-4, though a few MPEG-2 camcorders do exist – the MPEG 2 Hard drivecamcorders are usually standard definition.
Here are the resolutions: more=better.
HDV – 1920×1080 (or 1440×1080) 60i, with some offering 24p and 30p. MPEG2 video has very little compression and edits nicely. HDV camcorders usually feature more manual controls than other varities. Progressive picture (24p and 30p) captures better motion with less artifacting. However, fast movements may appear jerky. If you want to shoot to achieve a film like effect, like you in see in cinema, choose 24p. Good choice if you want to spend a little more for better video quality.
SD and flash camcorders – usually either 1280×720 30p or 1920×1080 30p. If you have a 1080p television, and a way to view 1080p content (bluray, hd-dvd, playstation 3 or a direct hdm between pc/laptop and tv) don’t choose the 720p cameras. Things to look out for: make sure the camera has a built in HDMI port (one line for both audio and video) for easy connection between camera and tv. Good choice if you want budget camcorder.
Hard drive camcorders -many SD (720×576 60i) and the video quality is much less than 1080p. Avoid these. Others are usually 1440×1080 60i and offering large hard drives, 120GB+. Good choice if you want to shoot lots of video and don’t like to carry cards around.
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Agree with all that Tal says, but he did not included advantages/disadvantage…
MiniDV tape getting DV or HDV format video is least compressed. More compression = more discarded data = reduced video quality. Neither miiniDV tape nor flash memory suffer from the vibration, high altitude or data recovery issues that hard disc drive camcorders have. With removable memory, when filled, just put in a blank. With hard drive, when filled… then?
With flash memory or hard disc drive, how are you planning to archive (not just back up to a computer’s hard drive) the video? With miniDV tape, take the tape out, lock it, mark it, put in another – digital tape has a good, long, proven, known shelf life – just don’t re-use it.
Since we don’t know you and don’t know what you plan to do with the video, it is difficult to know what is “best” for you.