OT: DV SP vs. LP and 12bit versus 16bit

pconti wrote on 5/23/2003, 5:05 PM

When using a Panasonic Camera to record video there is an LP and SP choice which controls tape speed. I am not easily able to see a difference in the video quality between the two. Where should I be looking for differences?

Also, it has the option of 12 versus 16 bit sound. I do hear the difference and can see the difference in sound wave form. But why wouldn't 16 bit be a default. Where is the recording obtaining the extra bandwidth for the additional 4 bits. I don't see a difference in video quality.

Comments

TLT wrote on 5/23/2003, 6:15 PM

12 bit has space on the tape reserved for dubbing. Go with 16 bit for better sound. If your not seeing any marked difference in video quality and need the extra time use LP.

bcbarnes wrote on 5/23/2003, 7:18 PM

SP vs. LP: You won't see a quality difference because there isn't one. You're recording digital data, and the data is the same, regardless of the tape speed. The difference that you might encouter is in the ability of the tape to "hold" the data and the ability of other DV devices to be able to read the tape. In LP mode, the data bits recorded onto the tape are "shorter" than they are in SP mode, because the tape is moving slower. This means that a single "bit" of digital data is smaller, and thus more susceptible to dropouts and head alignment differences.

jetdv wrote on 5/23/2003, 10:02 PM

There is no difference, visually, between SP and LP. However, LP does not transfer between devices very well and gives dropouts more quickly than SP. Personally, I use ONLY SP.

MiniDV allows up to FOUR tracks of audio to be recorded (stereo 1 and stereo 2). To get 4 tracks, 12 bit is required. If you use 16 bit, only 2 tracks (stereo 1) are allowed. If you need 4 channels, you need to use 12 bit. Otherwise, 16 bit is usually recommended.

pconti wrote on 5/24/2003, 1:06 PM

Thanks. Everyone has been instructive and helpful.