http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Forums Tag: camcorder en Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:34:30 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/my-lens-isnt-on#post-41479 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:57:52 +0000 diegothegreat88 41479@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>MY JVS CAMCORDER (MODEL NUMBER) GR-SXM250U KEEPS SAYIN THAT THE LENS IS ON BUT ITS NOT ON....SO I CANT RECORD ANYHTING AND I DONT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT..IF ANYONE KNOWS PLEASE LET ME KNOW</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/minidv-quality-to-dvd#post-41402 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:07:26 +0000 Coreece 41402@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Also,  what format is your miniDV footage. ( ex. AVI, MOV)</p> <p>You want to make sure you have the best possibly quality prior to encoding DVD.  If your video was compressed or converted to a lossy format somehow during the editing process, it will not look pretty once that file is finally compressed to Mpeg 2 DVD.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/minidv-quality-to-dvd#post-41400 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:50:39 +0000 Coreece 41400@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>There will always be some quality loss when encoding for DVD. (even if you can't notice it)</p> <p>DVD footage needs to be mpeg2 which is a lossy format, but it shouldn't look bad if its encoded properly.</p> <p>The three general formats are:</p> <p>1 PASS CBR:</p> <p>This is for shorter videos that have a minimal amount of fast action movements and/or pans This is the faster method of encoding and will render a larger file.typically the best bit rate will be 8mbps, but 7mbps is good too.  You can go higher but this is not recommended because it may be to fast for some DVD players. </p> <p>1 PASS VBR</p> <p>This setting may not be available with many encoders and really isn't necessary, but it would typically be used with longer videos with a minimal amount of fast movement.</p> <p>2 pass VBR</p> <p>This is used for longer videos that include fast action movement.  It will analylze the video in the first pass and than encode a higher bit rate for parts of the video that have fast action and lower bitrates in the areas that have less movement.  This format maximizes quality while maintaing a smaller file size.  The bitrate will depend on how long your video is.   In variable bitrate encoding, there are 3 settings:</p> <p>    - Average Bitrate - Maximum Bit Rate  - Minimum Bitrate</p> <p>The range between 6.5 -8.0 mbps will render better quality, however, if you video is over 90 minutes, you'll have to use a lower range.</p> <p>I have noticed that motion graphics and animated backgrounds seem to be more affected by DVD compression, so if this describes your video, expect there to me some undesireable effects.  There really is not too much you can do...DVD compression was great for awhile, especially when there were only tube TVs.  The moitors today are very detailed and show off all the imperfections.  </p> <p>If you have a Good HD monitor, you'll notice that any Hollywood Blockester on DVD has some artifacts in the motion graphic intros...and in some cases, it's really bad...including text.  You'll also notice some artifacts in the darker scenes of the movie as well.  But sometimes, you really can't tell unless you're looking for it.</p> <p>It also may help to do a search for a good Bit Rate calculator.  This may make it a little easier for you to determine the settings for VBR.  If you don't like the quality using the settings that the bit rate calculator gave you, try using a higher rate if you video didn't max out the space on the DVD.</p> <p>Regards,</p> <p>Corey</p> <p>Its not necessary to know this, but you may see settings for GOP(groups of pictures).  You can usually keep this at the default setting.  GOP is the compression technique that gives DVD compression its lossy characteristic.  Thaey consist of I-frames B-frames and P-frames.</p> <p>I found this following explanation from wikipedia to be rather humorous the fist time I read it:</p> <p>MPEG-2 specifies that the raw frames be compressed into three kinds of frames: intra-coded frames (<a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/I-frame">I-frame</a>), predictive-coded frames (<a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/I-frame">P-frames</a>), and bidirectionally-predictive-coded frames (<a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/I-frame">B-frames</a>).</p> <p>An <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/I-frame">I-frame</a> is a compressed version of a single uncompressed (raw) frame. It takes advantage of spatial redundancy and of the inability of the eye to detect certain changes in the image. Unlike P-frames and B-frames, I-frames do not depend on data in the preceding or the following frames. Briefly, the raw frame is divided into 8 pixel by 8 pixel blocks. The data in each block is transformed by a <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/Discrete_cosine_transform">discrete cosine transform</a>. The result is an 8 by 8 matrix of coefficients. The transform converts spatial variations into frequency variations, but it does not change the information in the block; the original block can be recreated exactly by applying the inverse cosine transform. The advantage of doing this is that the image can now be simplified by <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/Quantization_(image_processing)">quantizing</a> the coefficients. Many of the coefficients, usually the higher frequency components, will then be zero. The penalty of this step is the loss of some subtle distinctions in brightness and color. If one applies the inverse transform to the matrix after it is quantized, one gets an image that looks very similar to the original image but that is not quite as nuanced. Next, the quantized coefficient matrix is itself compressed. Typically, one corner of the quantized matrix is filled with zeros. By starting in the opposite corner of the matrix, then zigzagging through the matrix to combine the coefficients into a string, then substituting <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/Run-length_encoding">run-length codes</a> for consecutive zeros in that string, and then applying <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/Huffman_coding">Huffman coding</a> to that result, one reduces the matrix to a smaller array of numbers. It is this array that is broadcast or that is put on DVDs. In the receiver or the player, the whole process is reversed, enabling the receiver to reconstruct, to a close approximation, the original frame.</p> <p>Typically, every 15th frame or so is made into an I-frame. P-frames and B-frames might follow an I-frame like this, IBBPBBPBBPBB(I), to form a <a href="http://videomaker.com/wiki/Group_of_pictures">Group Of Pictures (GOP)</a>; however, the standard is flexible about this.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/minidv-quality-to-dvd#post-41393 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:04:27 +0000 robgrauert 41393@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p> Is the quality of a consumer miniDV camcorder going to look bad when burned to a DVD?</p></blockquote> <p>No. Just compress it properly. You may not even really have to compress it if your video is less than 4.7GB.</p> <p> </p> <blockquote><p> What are the best settings to render the miniDV video footage and burn it to DVD and have the greatest possible quality?....</p></blockquote> <blockquote><p> </blockquote> I just render it as DV/DVCPro NTSC.   </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/minidv-quality-to-dvd#post-41380 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:41:20 +0000 RockstarRider 41380@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Is the quality of a consumer miniDV camcorder going to look bad when burned to a DVD?.......</p> <p>What are the best settings to render the miniDV video footage and burn it to DVD and have the greatest possible quality?....</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41352 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:01:47 +0000 bmills 41352@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Yes, the HV30 isn't true HD, though at least as I understand, no camcorder that records to HDV are true HD because the media is compressed automatically when you use tape...</p> <p> </p> <p>Either way, I have the HV30 and it is a great little camera..  I use it for pickups, behind the scenes footage, webisodes, and as a capture device..  works great... </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41327 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:38:58 +0000 RockstarRider 41327@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>yeah i know...but ill wait till i get a job and since i dont pay bills right now ill have like time to save up alot and buy all this equipment..ill even buy two Canon <strong>XH A1S since those are very good cameras...thats like my dream camcorder right there...ha..like if i got to hold one and try it out like for 5 min i would like faint, im not kidding, i would feel i would be dreaming or something...ha..yeah im that sucky....</strong></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41326 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:33:45 +0000 robgrauert 41326@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> If you insist...ha</p> <p> In your situation it would be OK to get the HV30. It's not like you're getting a Sony F35, you'd be swatting flies with a nuke then. If you have a reason for HD, then go for it. I was just saying not to get too hyped about it because some people do and don't even realize that you also need an HD TV, Blu-Ray burner, Blu-Ray player, and maybe a better computer, although I'm sure your computer can handle HD from the HV30.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41324 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:30:00 +0000 RockstarRider 41324@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>well like im sure my family is going to get an HD LCD TV soon...and well i was like  thinking like to show the video on the TV while eveyrone in the family would be enjoying the movie..cause like we have very interesting events when riding...a cow popping out out of nowhere...some cuzin falling while not wearing helmet...quad getting stuck..racing for the first time and getting first place...not trying to brag here but you know...hahaha.....adventures..but yeah...have all these footage of our racing and riding events..in high def..lol</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41320 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:25:51 +0000 robgrauert 41320@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> In my opinion, if you're going to be shooting you and your friends on quads, it may be easier to hold the GL2 since it has the handle on top, that is, if you are going to shoot while you ride...</p> <p> I also wouldn't fall into the hype of HD. You seem to have made it clear that this is for hobby purposes, so you don't NEED HD.  </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41319 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:22:31 +0000 robgrauert 41319@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I could be wrong, but the HV30 records HDV, which records 1440X1080, which isn't true HD. Either way, still a good camera to start with. Good call Earl.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41318 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:22:17 +0000 RockstarRider 41318@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>yeah the canon hv30 is very good..its felt very professional when i holded it...its like a mini professional camcorder...very very good camcorder...i dont want minidv tapes to end...seriously...or they should just lower the price on flash based camcorders...ha</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41317 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:19:53 +0000 RockstarRider 41317@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>yup, ive seen the GL2 inside out...its a very cool camera..the only thing that i dont like is that its white..ha..thats the only thing..but you know..i think they should make a black one..</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41315 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:18:10 +0000 EarlC 41315@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> There IS NO "prosumer" camcorder for around 1,500 bucks new.</p> <p>There IS a really, really nice entry level high definition camera, the Canon HV30, that records true HD to MiniDV for under $900. Great starting point for amateurs, hobbyists, semi-pros, and is even getting a lot of use from so-called professionals as backup or third camera, even playback unit for ingesting into their respective editing systems.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41313 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:16:43 +0000 robgrauert 41313@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Yea, if this is just a hobby, you may be able to find a used Canon GL1 or GL2 on Craig's List or Ebay for less than $1000. It's a great camera for hobbyists and those who are serious but are just starting out.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41311 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:12:51 +0000 RockstarRider 41311@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>yeah i wanna make DVDs of us riding and racing on our quads and yeah....I feel like the MX20 is like toyish like for little kids, but like you know they say that flash memory is the future..but whatever its not like minidv is gonna die like next year...it mill probably last more than 3 years more...hopefully...imma stick with a minidv camcorder...after a work since of my age i cant work in many places i will definatly try to save money to buy a prosumer camcorder around 1,500 bucks...ok thanks..</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41308 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:03:50 +0000 robgrauert 41308@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p> Also if i get a miniDV cam, like what requirements are well like required to capture miniDV footage to computer smoothly...???</p></blockquote> <p> The camera needs to have a firewire port. When you capture, make sure you software is set for the right codec. You should be capturing in the "DV/DVCPro NTSC" codec. You should also be capture to an external hard drive or a second internal hard drive. Do not capture video to your primary hard drive. </p> <blockquote><p> I would like to know if the quality from the Samsung MX20 going to be worse,better or equal to that of a miniDV when burned to DVD???</p></blockquote> <p> That camera seems to be pretty crappy. It records H.264, which you can't really edit, depending on the software you use. It also only has 1/6" image sensors. That's tiny. I wouldn't go below 1/3"</p> <p>I wouldn't bother with the cameras that record to a hard drive either. It's nice to have the footage on tape.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/video-quality-3#post-41307 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:41:38 +0000 RockstarRider 41307@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>So right now I have a Panasonic VDR-210 which is a miniDVD camcorder. I have vegas Pro 8 but i always have trouble importing the files, everytime i get an Error...Error this Error that!!!...I wanna get a new camcorder for Xmas but well my budgt is low...too low this year...I have some camcorders that i would like and can you guys please help me out...Help me choose between Samsung MX20, Canon ZR930, JVC GR-D850...I would like to edit and burn some of the videos to DVD.. I would like to know if the quality from the Samsung MX20 going to be worse,better or equal to that of a miniDV when burned to DVD????....Also if i get a miniDV cam, like what requirements are well like required to capture miniDV footage to computer smoothly...???</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/highest-picture-quality#post-41217 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:28:09 +0000 robgrauert 41217@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Image quality is impacted more from lighting rather than the camera. So if you have a 5000 dollar budget, I'd suggest buying a 3-point lighting kit (Arri is a great brand) and a Panasonic DVX100B or Sony PD170. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/72145-REG/Arri_571905_Arrilite_600_Tungsten_Three.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/72145-REG/Arri_571905_Arrilite_600_Tungsten_Three.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406876-REG/Panasonic_DVX100BSC_AG_DVX100BQ_3_CCD_24p_Mini_DV.html#includes" rel="nofollow">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406876-REG/Panasonic_DVX100BSC_AG_DVX100BQ_3_CCD_24p_Mini_DV.html#includes</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/308853-REG/Sony_DSRPD170THPAC_DSR_PD170_3_CCD_Mini_DVCAM.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/308853-REG/Sony_DSRPD170THPAC_DSR_PD170_3_CCD_Mini_DVCAM.html</a></p> <p> </p> <p>You could just blow all your money an a $5000 camera and buy no lights. That's what a lot of people do when they don't believe me when I say lighting is more important than your camera.  </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/highest-picture-quality#post-41216 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:04:21 +0000 virgil 41216@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I need a new camera that has great image quality. The camera is going to be on a tripod in the some local in a well lit room. So I don't need features like dealing well with motion or even great zooms all I need is really good image quality. The camera would need to be 5,000 or less, but I want good image quality no matter how cheap (I know from past experience that often the pricer models offer more features but not usually the best quality image). Any and all help would be most appreciated.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/panasonic-ag-hmc150-or-any-other-pro-camcorders-using-flash-media#post-40900 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:55:53 +0000 ghostlyshark 40900@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> yeah- avchd is not a problem- i've had great results from it with the canon hf100. Oh, and Vegas Pro works well with it.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/panasonic-ag-hmc150-or-any-other-pro-camcorders-using-flash-media#post-40891 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:30:33 +0000 robgrauert 40891@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Looks like a decent camera to me. The only thing I don't like is that it records AVCHD. It's a codec that uses a lot of compression...more compressed than HDV in fact. Maybe that matters to you, maybe it doesnt. All depends on what you're doing.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/panasonic-ag-hmc150-or-any-other-pro-camcorders-using-flash-media#post-40890 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:23:44 +0000 ghostlyshark 40890@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I thought I already posted this question here.. I don't know what happened to it. Anyway. Has anyone looked into this camcorder. I'm not really seeing any reviews and am very curious about it. I understand the argument for mini-dv, but I love using flash memory. Here's the link if you want to take a look:</p> <p> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DKELYC/ref=s9k2a_c5_at1-rfc_p-3102_p?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=center-2&amp;pf_rd_r=1B24ET2GMGXZ408S8ZH7&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;pf_rd_p=292858801&amp;pf_rd_i=507846</p> <p>Please let me know  if you have any insight on this or similar products. Thanks!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-help-picking-pro-hd-camera#post-38231 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:10:29 +0000 P63 38231@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote><p>One thing that you may want to consider: although the quality of a compact HD camera like the HVX200 or XHG1 may be just as high as a larger HD camera, appearance will make an impression on your clients. </p></blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> <p>x2</p> <p> LOL, panasonic has a new camera that is big by design, with this tiny little lense up front (hidden by a big housing).</p> <p>I did a gig recently in which my larger camera wasn't visible to the audience. I had a smaller camera in hand. Two people approached me worried about the quality of the resulting disk. Presentation is critically important, not just in the delivered product, but at every step of the project.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37357 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:35:47 +0000 CMarion 37357@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Jeremy,</p> <p> Thanks for the answer. I will look into your recommendations.</p> <p> Chris</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37329 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:15:49 +0000 film814 37329@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey CMarion,</p> <p>Here's some info that might help:</p> <p>Camera:  look for a 3CCD MiniDV camcorder that has audio inputs and gain controls (Canon XL2, GL2; Panasonic AG-DVC20, AG-DVC30, AG-DVC60; Sony VX2100)  Virtually any professional 3CCD camcorder is TV quality or better.   (will run anywhere from $800 to $4000)</p> <p>Lights: look for a basic fluorescent lighting kit (check out <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html</a> for a great choice of Fluorescent Lighting kits.</p> <p>Audio:  check out the Pro Audio department at B&amp;H and look for a mid-range shotgun mic or lavalier mic kit.  ($200-400)</p> <p>Hope this helps,</p> <p>Jeremy</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37325 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:01:47 +0000 CMarion 37325@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The folks I work for are new to videography and so am I.  We're going to start capturing our own video, doing mostly interview style shooting and possibly some indoor event coverage. We're looking for quality good enough for tv (b roll) but will mostly be on the web. What kind of equipment should we buy? Are there kits we can buy that include lights etc?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-to-video-making#post-36954 Wed, 28 May 2008 19:31:37 +0000 mrjman 36954@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>just click on his link for his website... it has his email and phone number</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-to-video-making#post-36947 Wed, 28 May 2008 17:38:57 +0000 chrisColorado 36947@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>BarefootMedia: I want to talk with you. Do you have email, or even better, a gmail account so we can use gmail chat? I'd like to hear your critiques. BTW, the credit sequence is for a real film, the fifth short film I've worked on. All names in the credits are real people. My address is <a href="mailto:mexenzoaiire@gmail.com">mexenzoaiire@gmail.com</a></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/camcorder-format#post-36940 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:07:09 +0000 michaeltaleff 36940@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Want to get into multicamcording.</p> <p>Presently, running FCP5 on a G5 and have a Sony FX1 camcorder.</p> <p>Budget is tight and wish to buy another compatable camcorder, but can't affort another FX1.</p> <p>Now FX1 has 3CCD sensor, and looking at a Sony SR12 which has the new CMOS sensor.</p> <p>Know I will see some difference when capture to FCP5, but only doing documenty work.</p> <p>Want to keep post production editing low, and heard if I white balance both camcorders to the same white sheet, would decrease the difference once in FCP5. </p> <p>So how much of a difference would show with this arrangement?</p> <p>Any other thoughts or sites to visit on camcorder requirements for multicamcording?</p> <p>Mike T.</p>