DV codec discussion

BusyBee wrote on 6/9/2005, 10:21 AM

Before editing videos with VMS, we are all camcorder users.
Reading a lot about the latest camcorders coming out, I have this persistent impression that the DV codec behind the lens and CCDs is filtering out most of the improvements coming up-front. Output differences are really minimal, and that whatever is not captured by the camcorder can be recovered in VMS...
Are we wasting our money buying new DV equipment, until the HDV codecs become really usable downstream? I am wrong or right ?!!

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 6/9/2005, 11:41 AM

Well, I'm not sure how often you're upgrading your equipment, but I'm pretty much on the same Digital8 cam I've been using for years.

Technology is continually improving, but not in quantum leaps. We're definitely seeing improvements in lenses and other camera optics, but CCDs haven't gotten significantly better in the last five years. 3 CCD pro-sumer camcorders offer a big improvement, but I'm not ready to drop $2000 on one.

I don't know how far away we are from an affordable consumer high-def camcorder but, until then, I don't know that there's much to gain by trading in last year's miniDV for this year's.

ChristerTX wrote on 6/9/2005, 2:44 PM

I see Panasonic 3CCD cameras on the market for some $800 so they are definately coming within reach.