AVCHD - motion blur problem

[Coroner]

Hello all,

In my quest to buy a camcorder (looking at one that uses the AVCHD format) I have read that motion blur is a problem. For an average user, such as myself, is this really a problem or is this something only detected by pros who are scrutinizing the video with a trained eye or test equipment ?

I mean if I shoot a video of my kid playing soccer will it be so motion blurred that I wont be able to tell one kid from the next ? Will my son running across the screen appears as a long trail (like mouse trails on the PC).

This is what I have been looking at -- Sony HDR-SR12
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-SR12-Camcorder-Review-34809.htm


Is a camera that does HDV a better choice ? It seems like HDV is on it's way out and AVCHD is on its way in.



Thanks,

Coroner

[mpiper]

OK. Let's back up a bit.

Motion blur is NOT a problem. For home users or pros.

Let's talk basics for a second. and then you'll have a better understanding to make a decision on.

HD video is usually shot at either 60i or 24P (most 60p cameras arew out of the home user price range)

Realize video (and film) is NOTHING but a series of still photographs changing so fast you don't realize it. What that means (oversimplification warning!!!!) is that 24 snapshots are taken every second (for 24p), or 60 snapshots every second.

so, if you are moving fast, 60 still images will have LESS motion because they take 1/60th of a second to make, while 24 images take over twice as long (1/24 of a second). However, film has ALWAYS had motion blur, since it runs at 24 frames per second since the 1920s

The big deal with motion blur is people got used to DV not having much motion blur, since it took much shorter snapshots. But the entire reason DV does NOT ever look like a theatrical film is the LACK of motion blur.

Now, that being said, the amount of light available lets you shorten each snapshot (brighter needs less time per shot) so, you can shoot at 24 fps in bright light and manually set your camcorder to shorter times (most camcorders have 1/24, 1/30 and 1/60; some have more). With a 24fps speed, but set for 1/60 speed, you get low motion blur, but the video FEELS like it was shot with real film.

So, don't worry about motion blur, simply make sure the camcorder has multiple exposures(speeds). It looks like the one you're looking at has them, so you should be good to go.

I personally LIKE motion blur, because it makes video look more natural. But it is a personal preference

[Coroner]

Thank you very much for the response. I am glad I asked. I figured it might be one of those nitpick things that for my intended use will not matter.

Thanks again,

Coroner

[Soopafresh]

The Canon HG20 or the larger capacity HG21 record at higher bitrates (24Mbps vs 16Mbps), plus they have 24p and 30p shooting capability

[jagabo]

In large part, you can tell the quality of a camera by the size of the objective lens (the lens at the front of the camera). A big lens generally means a big camera and a big CCD. A big objective lens takes in more light and allows you to take shorter exposures (this is why astronomers use big telescopes) and get less motion blur (if you don't want motion blur you can choose to use a smaller aperture and shorter exposures). Conversely, a small camera will have a small objective lens and small CCD. That means little light enters the camera forcing longer exposures (leading to more motion blur) and/or noisy video/pictures.

At 24 fps you need some motion blur to reduce the jerkiness inherent in that low frame rate. This jerkiness is very obvious if you go to a movie theater and watch a bright, medium speed, panning scene.