Video Size

[sullins]

I am using a SONY DCR HC 36 to capture video to the memory card. Recording to the memory card, max size is 320 x 240, very small on a computer screen. I don't know what the size is if the tape is used and imported by firewire; I have searched but not found that info. My purpose is entirely for use in scientific presentations in Power Point etc.

What are my options for either converting the 320 x 240 video or using the tape to acquire the images. Naturally the memory card is very nice.

Thank you.

[redwudz]

With most camcorders the USB or flashcard output is for web video. Usually low quality. FireWire output will be high quality, exactly the same as the tape. The resolution with be 720 X 480 NTSC in the US. The data rate will be about 13GB per hour of video. The framerate will be 29.97fps, both the same as DVD video, just a different format.

320 X 240 is fairly low quality, less than VCD. But this would be sufficient for most PowerPoint presentations. The displayed size is from your player. It should display full screen, no matter what resolution you use.

But you should get a FireWire card and cable and then you would be able to use the full capabilities of your camcorder.

And welcome to our forums.

[sullins]

Thank you.

I understand now about the tape and the Intel Mac should import the firewire fine from tape.

If I put the files back on the memory card and play the video on the camcorder while importing to computer by firewire, will it be larger video?

Thanks again.

[redwudz]

I don't know if the camcorder can import from the card. You would have to try that. But the 'size' part is confusing. With video it goes by the resolution. You can make just about any resolution display in full screen size. But lower resolutions will display less clear than higher resolutions. DV uses the same resolution as DVD, 720 X 480. VCD is 352 X 480, both NTSC as used in the US. DV and DVD are also both 29.70 fps (frames per second). If your PowerPoint can use DV, just use that directly.

Converting 320 X 240 to 720 X 480 will just lower the quality further.

[sullins]

Thank you. I'll work on that.