Mini-DV vs Hard Disk quality

karlthek wrote on 1/5/2007, 9:48 AM

The video quality from my old Mini-DV TRV-20 is excellent coming into VMS and on the finished DVD. Is quality compromised on the newer hard disk based cameras? I use Pinnacle Studio for my captures now -- into an AVI file for use in VMS.

Comments

rustier wrote on 1/5/2007, 12:16 PM

I believe the hard disk cameras are saving the video as mpeg, just like the mini - dvd recorder. This format is more compressed I believe than the data from your mini-dv tape. If you are importing mpeg, editing, resampling for final product - you will lose data in the process - which will reduce quality. Will it be noticable? Maybe yes maybe no depending on the quality of your source video, and on what you will be watching the final product.

I am curious why you use pinnacle to capture verses VMS. Perhaps you have one of those external rigs that need software?

If quality is your chief concern I would look at a higher end camcorder with tape. I think you have to make a big step up in price (pro models) to get the hard drive set ups that won't compress and cause quality issues. I believe there are some semi pro entry level cameras (these models use tape) from Sony and others in the $1500 - $3000 range. There are some consumer models a little cheaper.

karlthek wrote on 1/5/2007, 12:39 PM

Thanks for your input, Rustier. I use Pinnacle because I used it prior to VMS and Pinnacle will capture SD video, where VMS only wants HD video.
I really don't want a hard disk camcorder --- I prefer Mini-DV because the originals videos can be stored easily and compactly and the quality is superb. Very good quality Mini-DV camcorders are getting very difficult to find without spending a ton of money, and I'm afraid I'll wake up some morning and there will be no more Mini-DV!
It seems the industry is moving backward in sacrificing quality for convenience in the consumer market.

billynmi wrote on 1/6/2007, 6:44 AM

The only video I have ever captured with VMS is SD. I don't understand the reason behind your comment about VMS and HD.

Billy

karlthek wrote on 1/6/2007, 7:47 AM

Then I guess I don't understand it myself! The connection is Firewire from the TRV-20 to the computer, VMS 6.0a, and when I attempt to capture I get a message that says I can capture HD video or use an external capture program.
Am I missing something?

Paul Mead wrote on 1/6/2007, 8:54 AM

Well, you can capture SD video with VMS. Just click on the "Project Media" tab in the lower left hand corner (default layout) and then click the capture icon (the camera) and the Video Capture application will start up and be ready for your command. It isn't the greatest utility, but it (mostly) works. I create a shortcut to it so that I don't have to start VMS to use it.

karlthek wrote on 1/6/2007, 2:24 PM

Thanks, Paul, I'll give it a try. If all goes well then I can *try* to remove Pinnacle Studio and clean things up.