Started looking into HD Camcorders and it seems that most people recommend the Canon HV20....but for some reason I think a tape based system is old technology. Isn't it simpler to transfer video from hard disk or flash type systems? What's the simplest way to transfer files (from tape to dvd) for playback on HD or PS3 player? Isn't AVCHD the new "accepted" format? Which format has the least amount of compression? and which is the easiest to edit?

Thanks for any help.

Started looking into HD Camcorders and it seems that most people recommend the Canon HV20....but for some reason I think a tape based system is old technology. Isn't it simpler to transfer video from hard disk or flash type systems? What's the simplest way to transfer files (from tape to dvd) for playback on HD or PS3 player? Isn't AVCHD the new "accepted" format? Which format has the least amount of compression? and which is the easiest to edit?

Thanks for any help.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, tape-based HD video (HDV) is old technology compared to AVCHD and is therefore much better supported and easier to work with, with all of the bugs already ironed out.

2. Yes, it is easier to transfer video from a HDD or flash system.

3. To view in HD quality on HD-DVD or BD player, just tranfer the files onto your PC and then burn onto your preferred media. Some people are putting HD video on regular DVDs and successfully playing it back. I haven't tried it and couldn't help you on that.

4. AVCHD is the "accepted" format. Unfortunately, every camcorder to date has used a different variation on the AVCHD standard. In other words, within AVCHD, there are some significant compatibility problems right now.

5. Right now, tape has the least compression, by far - its has 25mb/sec of bandwidth. Although theoretically AVCHD can get up into that range, it has much tighter compression and all implementations to date have maxed out at the 12-15mb/sec range. Basically, AVCHD is twice as compressed as HDV.

6. See Answer 1 and 5 - because HDV has been around longer than AVCHD, it is supported by all editing platforms, while they've been scrambling recently to add support for AVCHD. Also, because HDV is less compressed than AVCHD, it requires less computing power to edit.

Hi Streetcredit,

I'm with you. Tapes are a pain, unless you are Mr. Retro.

My wife gave me a Sony HDR-SR1 last Christmas. The camera has a hard drive and records in the AVCHD format. Hard drives are great.

This year, about a half-dozen video editing companies have made their packages compatible with the AVCHD format. I think you will be able to find what you need.

Sony is pretty safe. I have heard that other company's AVCHD formats may not be as compatible with all the software.

Hope this is helpful,

People recommend the HV20 not because it is based on the old DV style tapes, they recommend it because it is the best picture quality bar none.

If you want the best picture you get the best picture. If you just want the newest technology, well, then have your pick.

A good place to learn more about choosing a camcorder, as well as a buying guide can be found at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

Mark

If you want to live with motion artifacts and lower video quality, go with AVCHD. If you want video that is better than over the air or cable HD in terms of freedom from motion artifacts, go with HDV. Compression is the major enemy when it comes to sacrificing video quality.

From the reviews, I was initially concerned about AVCHDs lower quality. So much so, that I thought I would hold off until the next round of camcorders came out (in hopes of higher bit rates). However, once I actually looked an sample video clips of the Canon HG10 and the Sony miniDVD hd cams, I no longer had any concerns. I played the clips on my PS3 directly (big priority for me) and even on an 8' screen the videos looked great. After ripping and transcoding all my old miniDv tapes, I am done with that!!

No more tapes for me....

I own both a Canon HG10 and a Canon HV20 (also an XHA1 for that matter) and can honestly say that the HG10 looks very very good. As a matter of fact, I think it handles highlights better than the HV20 which tends to blow them out in bright sunlight.