Greetings,

Apoligies for these basic questions. I scoured the web, this great forum, and Sony's site but did not quite find the combination of information I need.

Quick question on the Sony SR12's MPEG2 file format.

1. I know this is SD rather than HD when recorded in MPEG2. What is the resolution in MPEG 2?

2. Can the MPEG 2 be recorded in different bitrates? I'd like to record in a bitrate where we can fit at least 90 minutes into a standard DVD disc.

3. Can the MPEG 2 be burned straight to DVD without any transcoding/editing/rendering and have the DVD play in a standard DVD player?

(We'll be sharing the DVDs in both NTSC and PAL countries.)

We'll be recording the MPEG 2 to a Memory Stick rather than the hard drive.

4. Finally, on a diffferent note, will Sony come out with the same version but without the hard drive to reduce the size to something more like Canon's HF11?

Thanks in advance to all!

UL

I have an NTSC version of the SR12 in my hands right now. From what I see, there are four recording modes.

HD LP AVCHD 16mbs (1080x1920)
HD SP AVCHD 9mbs
HD HQ AVCHD 7mbs
HD FH AVCHD 5mbs

I can't find how to put it in SD mode. Probably cos I have never wanted to. I will keep looking.

THANKS! Much appreciated in advance for any info on SD.

We do a lot of speaking 'pro bono' as volunteers and are asked after almost every session for copies of the talks by the local leaders. This is why we need standard definition, fast burnable to DVD format, and audio input for quality audio.

Thanks in advance for any help.

UL

Chevypower

The SR12 does not support any SD modes. Not even SD wide screen. I use GearShift plugin from Vasst and convert to SD widescreen avi from the HD files. Then in 4:3 AR projects I crop the clips in Vegas for 4:3. It takes awhile to do this but, using a very fast computer it isn't too bad and I just batch the operation in Gearshift and let it rip overnight.

Edit-
I stand corrected on this, see detailed post below. It does support letter boxed SD modes.

Hmm....thought I read on Sony's site that the SR12 does record SD in MPEG 2.

Or does it not record in MPEG 2 at all? Thanks.

UL

The SR12 does not support any SD modes. Not even SD wide screen.

The SR12 can record in SD mode (Movie Settings - Record Mode), and you can select between HQ, SP, LP modes (9, 6 or 3 Mbps), as well choosing Wide or 4/3 aspect ratios (Movie Settings - Wide Select).

SD mode records in MPEG2 format.

What a GREAT forum. Much appreciated.

Thanks. That's good news.

Anyone know if this MPEG2 can be burned directly into a DVD disc and play in a regular DVD player without having to recode?

Also would this DVD play on all DVDs around the world or would NTSC PAL issues come in play for DVDs? On computer, NTSC or PAL doesn't seem to matter.

Thanks,
UL

Movie settings/ Rec mode: choose HD FH, HD HQ, HD SP, HD LP

Those are 16M, 9M, 7M, 5M respectively

No SD4:3 mode on my HDR-SR12, only 16x9

Yes, you can record in SD low bit rate mode by resetting the "media set menu" to SD and then you have three choices HQ, SP and LP. Need more info chevypower?


On the output settings- you can stretch the HD recording to 4:3 by selecting on page 2, "Output Settings" Here you have a few down convert choices for component output, svideo output, and composite output through the accessory cable sets supplied. The recordings are always in HD at different bit rates or SD 16x9, again depending on the media set. There is no changing that unless you found some way in the factory service setup menus. I don't have access to those.
Now if you select any of the analog cable outputs that are normal SD outputs the HD and SD recordings will be letterboxed on a 4:3 screen. If you plug in the component cable set you have a choice of 1080i component output or 480i downconvert output.

To my knowledge, there is no full screen 4:3 SD output unless you like to watch stretched tall images that can be achieved by selecting 16 x9 screen and using a 4:3 monitor. :)

The way I see it, the only advantage to shooting in SD is if you need extremely long recording time and PQ is not a problem. If you don't mind letter boxed analog output or letterboxed mp2 files, have fun.

If all you want to do is use the SR12 as a camera with live feed, the plugin cable will auto convert to analog video output, but you will get letterboxed on a 4x3monitor. In this case, use the full HD mode as the PQ even with live camera is much less grainy.

No SD4:3 mode on my HDR-SR12, only 16x9


You need to spend a bit more time getting to know your camera :)

Once you switch to SD mode (via media set menu as you mentioned) press the 'Home' button again and select the 'Settings' icon in the bottom right and choose 'Movie Settings'. You'll see that the option 'Wide Select' is now ungreyed (you can't select it in HD mode). This option toggles between recording SD in 4:3 or 16:9 modes. You can independently adjust the display output aspect in the 'Output Settings' option.


If you don't mind letter boxed analog output or letterboxed mp2 files, have fun.


When recording in 4:3 SD and outputing to a 4:3 display the image is displayed fullscreen with no letterboxing.

OK...thanks for ALL the responses. Very helpful. Looks like the SR12 may be the camera we need with a few more confirmations. Sigh..to think we have a new Canon HF100 that's still in the box which was supposed to be our solution....

Can someone tell me if the SD files in MPEG can be pulled STRAIGHT into a DVD for play in a traditional DVD player that they use in homes?

Thanks,
UL

Can someone tell me if the SD files in MPEG can be pulled STRAIGHT into a DVD for play in a traditional DVD player that they use in homes?

Thanks,
UL

No.
Most dvd players are not set up to know or accept raw mpeg files. They must be in the form of a full dvd structure with a VIDEO_TS folder containing IFO files, BUP files, and VOB files.

If you want to play your mpeg's in a normal dvd player, you must create a

Digital
Video
Disk

Ahh....so THAT is what D....V.....D means....:)

Ok, so lets say I create a DVD using a DVD authoring software, can it just use the SR12 MPEG2 files without having to re-transcode/encode (or whatever that process is called) the MPEG 2 files, thus speeding it up?

Thanks,
UL

I'm not sure what the specs are on the mpeg's that the sr12 pumps out, but a mpeg that qualifies for non re-encode to dvd should have a bitrate not higher than about 9000k (5000 to 8000 being ideal) with mpeg audio (ac3 will work too if you do it properly) It's resolution will have to be 720x480 (ntsc). It can either be 4:3 or 16:9. This could be taken into an author/burner program and placed on dvd without re-encoding.

ADDED: If you're working in PAL then the required resolution will be different (can't off hand remember what it is)

You need to spend a bit more time getting to know your camera :)

Once you switch to SD mode (via media set menu as you mentioned) press the 'Home' button again and select the 'Settings' icon in the bottom right and choose 'Movie Settings'. You'll see that the option 'Wide Select' is now ungreyed (you can't select it in HD mode). This option toggles between recording SD in 4:3 or 16:9 modes. You can independently adjust the display output aspect in the 'Output Settings' option.



When recording in 4:3 SD and outputing to a 4:3 display the image is displayed fullscreen with no letterboxing.

woa! Great, I did learn that just now. Now I may try to use this next time when shooting b-roll for my SD productions. As you may have figgured, I haven't used this camcorder in SD much. :)

Now where is that guy who was trying to use this camera for his live switch project? he would be able to use the info you have posted.