Hard-disk-videocamera instead of miniDV-videocamera

[Mållgan]

I am using a miniDV-videocamera but consider to buy a hard-disk-camera, which is storing in the mpeg (2 och 4) format (I think!). Now I am using the program Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 to capture and edit the miniDV-tape and the program finally encodes the files to videofiles (vob etc). Will there be any changes in the final DVD-quality (vob-files etc) if the program captures mpeg-files from a hard-disk-camera and then encodes the mpeg-files to videofiles, compared to the quality I am now getting using the miniDV-camera?

[thecoalman]

More important is the quality of the mini-DV is better. Having said that with the right software you only need to reencode whatever you have edited, such as if you add titles or transitions, the rest of the video doesn't get reencoded so whatever the quality of the video on the cam is will be what you get as final result. I don't know if Premiere supports that.

Check camcorderinfo.com for some reviews on those types of cams.

[stantheman1976]

I've had several people ask my advice on new cameras and I tell them to stay away from HDD and MiniDVD cameras. Tape has been proven to be a longer lasting format. Nothing lasts forever but with tape you have a much higher chance of your footage still existing and being watchable in 10 years. Plus MiniDV is higher quality and is very easily edited and manipulated. All these HDD cameras I've seen record in MPEG-2 which is meant to be a final format, not a format you begin with for editing purposes. Yes, it can be done but it's not the same as DV footage.

If you want to upgrade your camera look at a tape based HD camera like the Canon HV20. It's affordable and takes great footage.

[Mållgan]

Thank you very much for your quick and informing reply!

[Mållgan]

I have found a statement from one Canon HV20-user and he is not happy with the fact that the camera catches the sound of the camera motor due to the fact that the camera microphone is placed on the top of the camera. Any comments?

[guns1inger]

Get an external mic and you will get better audio and no motor noise.

[OldeMan]

What is an ok inexpensive external mike for HV20?

I would prefer a stereo one less than $150...javascript:emoticon('')
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