3 mega pixels VS 1 mega pixels camcorder

[houseng]

hi....there is a problem i dont understand.

will the 3mega pixels camcorder shoot sharper video than a 1mega pixels camcorder? or they are the same?

erm. to make my question easier, lets say a camcorder has 3 mega effective pixels, another one is 1 effective mega pixels, and i guess 1 mega pixels is over 720x576 already, so when the camcorder can capture at such a high resolution, when it is output to dv to computer it is also at 720x576 standard size, and the one with lesser resolution but the effective pixels is over 720x576 will also output at the standard dv 720x576. so what is the difference?

[junkmalle]

You are correct, both CCD (or whatever technology) sensors have much better resolution than the final DV output. The difference only really comes into play when you shoot still images at high resolution.

That said, a 3 megapixel camera is probably more expensive than a 1 megapixel camera. That means it may have better optics, electronics and algorithms -- so it might produce better DV quality.

[choirislife923]

hi....there is a problem i dont understand.

will the 3mega pixels camcorder shoot sharper video than a 1mega pixels camcorder? or they are the same?

erm. to make my question easier, lets say a camcorder has 3 mega effective pixels, another one is 1 effective mega pixels, and i guess 1 mega pixels is over 720x576 already, so when the camcorder can capture at such a high resolution, when it is output to dv to computer it is also at 720x576 standard size, and the one with lesser resolution but the effective pixels is over 720x576 will also output at the standard dv 720x576. so what is the difference?

if you want to use it as an 2-in-1 device and use it as an digital still camera, i'd go with the 3 megapixel. if not, ur just wasting money...go with the 1.

[racer-x]

I wouldn't give too much thought to the Megapixel count on a DV-Cam. Many 3 Megapixel cameras achieve 3 MP through s/w interpelation. A DV-Cam is designed for video, it makes a poor still camera. A digital still camera is a much better tool for still images. My DV-Cam has 3 MP stills, and I never use it for stills. I prefere to take the stills out of the video if I like the frame.

If you want better video quality, go for a 3 CCD DV-Cam. That's what my Panasonic pv-dv953 is and it shoots great video.

[choirislife923]

If you want better video quality, go for a 3 CCD DV-Cam. That's what my Panasonic pv-dv953 is and it shoots great video.

*WARNING* for the budget enthusiast...be prepared for sticker shock. cheapest 3CCD right now is $700 *END OF WARNING*

[houseng]

my old camcorder is 290k video actual pixels....is it enough for dv output? or it is under the dv output resolution? i am thinking of getting a new 1.

[choirislife923]

my old camcorder is 290k video actual pixels....is it enough for dv output? or it is under the dv output resolution? i am thinking of getting a new 1.

you lost me...
DV video is the kind of recording system used in digital camcorders, not a standard or anything. it packages the data in binary bits (0111000101100110 and so on). if your talking about an analog camcorder, then it uses the helical system, which records using electrical impulses onto plastic tape.

[salami]

If you want better video quality, go for a 3 CCD DV-Cam. That's what my Panasonic pv-dv953 is and it shoots great video.

*WARNING* for the budget enthusiast...be prepared for sticker shock. cheapest 3CCD right now is $700 *END OF WARNING*

The Panasonic PV-GS120 3-CCD Mini-DV Camcorder can be found for $545.

I am thinking about picking it up. Does anyone out there have it, or know someone who does?

[lgh529]

*WARNING* for the budget enthusiast...be prepared for sticker shock. cheapest 3CCD right now is $700 *END OF WARNING*

It wasn't to long ago that the cheapest 3CCD camera was $2k plus. I think $700 is pretty decent price for 3CCD.

Just my $0.02

[choirislife923]

*WARNING* for the budget enthusiast...be prepared for sticker shock. cheapest 3CCD right now is $700 *END OF WARNING*

It wasn't to long ago that the cheapest 3CCD camera was $2k plus. I think $700 is pretty decent price for 3CCD.

Just my $0.02

hopefully, CMOS chips would be used in place of CCDs later on. their cheaper to produce and they have minimal low-light issues. better for both the consumer and the producer.

[junkmalle]

my old camcorder is 290k video actual pixels....is it enough for dv output? or it is under the dv output resolution?

DV camcorders use 720x480 (NTSC, 345K pixels) or 720x576 (PAL, 415K pixels). What camcorder do you have with the odd 290K pixels?

[choirislife923]

DV camcorders use 720x480 (NTSC, 345K pixels) or 720x576 (PAL, 415K pixels). What camcorder do you have with the odd 290K pixels?

thats what threw me off too...i thought he was using an analog cam...

[houseng]

how about i say my camcorder is the DCR-TRV230e? the old digital 8 camcorder. gross pixel is 460k, video actual is only 290k pixels.

[junkmalle]

The early Sony Digital 8 camcorders were notorius for their poor image quality. Take a look at this comparison of the TR7000 (D8, similar 290K pixel CCD) and the TRV900 (DV, 3 CCD):

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/respat/

It's not entirely fair because it's comparing a low end camera to a high end camera. But it gives you an idea how bad the early D8 camcorders were.

Some more D8 information from that site:

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/d8/

[mikesbytes]

Don't be fooled into thinking that because it is DV, therefor you are getting 720 * 480/576 quality. Depending on the quality of the camera, you will probably get an effective quality of something between 400 and 520 lines and there can be a noticable difference in the colour.

Note: all DV camera's will output 480/576 lines, the above is a measurement of the input that was recorded at 480/576 lines

Suggest you ignore the specs and read the reviews.

[JimJohnD]

Another thing to think about when looking at the high pixel count video cameras is "low light" sensitivity. The more pixels they cram on the CCD the smaller each light sensitive area will be. This might not be a problem with stills when you are using a flash but unless you use a video light your video will be grainy. CCD size and pixel count as well as light requirements (in Lux, smaller numbers are better) should be listed in any camera's specs. But it really depends on how you are going to use the camera, just read the reviews and try to find a users forum for the camera.

[MachineMan]

Larger or multiple CCD's (I mean physical size) have better light performance. The Panasonic DV953 and Sony DCR-PC330 are both 3mp camcorders but will most likely not have the same still quality as a regular 3mp digital camera becuase there CCD's are smaller. Also Panasonic is soon coming out with a 4mp camcorder, the GS400.