New camcorder - require datestamp

[amaru96]

Hi guys, I've been using my old Canon MiniDV camcorder for a while now and it's served me well, but it's starting to play up so figured it's probably time to get a new one.

Am looking at either a Sony HDRCX110 or Canon HFR26S. I think either will be fine, just doing basic recording of the family/kids...

I have no idea what format these cameras record in, I'm assuming something like MOV, or their own type of format??

But one important thing I want to be able to do is embed the datestamp on the video. Using my current camcorder I'm able to add the datestamp during the capture process by using PowerDirector. Will I be able to do this even with these newer model cameras? Or do I need some other software?

Appreciate any help/advice.

[uno]

I did not know there was a program that could stamp the file with the datestamp when importing from an SD-videocamera. Can really Powerdirector do that? If so it can probably do it with an HD-videocamera. Please let me know if you find out of it. I use Vegas 10 but if Powerdirector is stamping date that could be an alternative.



I used vDTS for SD-DV-files. It is now available for AVCHD-files (in Windows7). However I use DVMPPro which is for both AVCHD and HDV-files and not restricted to Windows 7.
However you also have to be sure that the videocamera saves metadata which include date and time. E.g I have asked Sony and Panasonic about that and it seems that Sony includes the info but not Panasonic.
The reason I asked was that I would edit some files from a Panasonic AVCHD-camera but I could not stamp them with DVMPPro.
Therefore I will exclude Panasonic when I am going to upgrade to a new videocamera. Panasonic only seems to include metadata in their Professional videocameras.
As a matter of fact I had already decided to buy Panasonic SD700 but didn't when hearing of the missing metadata.


Also remember that you need a double core processor to edit HD.

[amaru96]

Thanks for the info. I had a quick look at DVMP Pro and it looks very promising.

[pgtboy]

I've been using vDTS for several years to date stamp my SD camcorder files and it works great. The AVCHD version for HD files is called vATS. While it will embed the date stamp just fine, it requires the source file to be re-encoded which means you will have some quality loss.

Another option is to create a subtitle script file with the date stamp info. This method will not alter the source file so the quality will remain the same. However, I have been unable to find any guides that explain how this method works and what software is needed.

To the original poster, what solution did you end up using?

[magillagorilla]

My Canon HF100 names its files with the date and time when it imports. This is not a date visible on the image though. Also the file creation date should be embeded in the actual file container for the OS to read. I have video clips from the late 90s taken by point and shoot cameras, that retain the create date on the file. This can be used as search or sort criteria.

I am also very particular about how I organize my photo and video files. I organize them in nested folders by year, month, day (when needed). It also helps to make your dates computer sort friendly like yyyymmddhhmmss. So all my files are like 20110805142502.m2ts (which is August 5th, 2011 at 2:25:02 PM). But, I'm a database guy so those kind of dates are easy for me to read.

I make a new folder every year then nest months in the year folder in the same date format:
Folder (2011)
-----Nested Folder (20110100)
----------Nested Folder (20110123)
---------------FILE (20110123162536.mt2s)
---------------FILE (20110123165507.mt2s)
----------Nested Folder (20110127)
---------------FILE (20110127081423.mt2s)
-----Nested Folder (20110200)
-----Nested Folder (20110300)
----------FILE (20110322104519.m2ts) *I don't always create folders for every DAY
----------FILE (20110327180623.m2ts)
----------FILE (20110329062203.m2ts)
----------FILE (20110329110257.m2ts)
----------FILE (1477.mov) *From a camera that does not use the date in the file name
----------FILE (2757.avi) *I still know the month and year, the OS file create metedata will tell details
-----Nested Folder (20110400)

Sometimes I will alter the file name with a description like 20110329110257_cat_stuck_in_tree.m2ts, but leave the date in front so the file name remain sortable by time.

I dont really like the idea of re-encodeing or mucking up the image with text. I do add titles to videos, but that is post production work. Once text is burned in to a video, it's really hard to remove. My point is, let the computer organize your files, they are really good at sorting and searching if you tag things the right way.