HDV vs AVCHD: transfer and usage

[darylb]

I'm torn between HDV tape based cameras and AVCHD flash based camera for a upcoming father's day purchase. I will be the one doing the video archiving and am pretty technically competent (built this computer) but am unfamiliar with these formats. My primary question involves the usage of these formats.

When you record a movie on an HDV tape and want to transfer it to your computer for archiving, does the file transfer off in a drag and drop fashion as AVCHD files do or do you 'record' it to your computer in real-time?

[Soopafresh]

HDV - You 'record' it to your computer in real-time via an app like HDVsplit

There are advantages and disadvantages to both worlds. If you decide on HDV, the Canon HV30 is really terrific.

In the AVCHD world, the Canon HF-100 gets really good reviews.

[darylb]

Do you (if you are one) or other HDV users find this somewhat slow compared to a format that could be transferred to a hard drive in a matter of seconds or minutes? (AVCHD)

[Soopafresh]

I have an HV30. It doesn't bother me at all, but I rarely fill up an entire tape before transferring it to my PC.

BTW, you don't have to buy HDV tapes. The regular DV ones work great at a fraction of the price. Panasonic makes good ones.

If you get an HV20 or HV30, you do have to buy a 4 pin to 6 pin firewire cable to transfer the data. Why they didn't include this I have no idea. http://www.firewire-1394.com/IEEE-1394_FireWire_cable_6pin_4pin.htm

[darylb]

It seems to me that HDV is slower but more reliable as AVCHD would theoretically be fast but very CPU intensive with more potential problems ATM

[Soopafresh]

ATM. AVCHD is more difficult to edit and requires a faster PC for playback and editing than HDV. It isn't problematic - it's reliable. But if your dad doesn't have a Core 2 Duo or better, AVCHD will tend to stagger during playback. So will HDV if your CPU is too slow, but I can play HDV on a 2.4Ghz P4 just fine if I use VLC as the player.

AVCHD is the "way of the future". You can create Blu Ray disks quite easily with it, but of course you need the burner, media, and player.

HDV will eventually go away, but by that time you'll want the latest and greatest camcorder anyway.

The other thing to remember with HiDef camcorders is the need to keep the image stable. Without a tripod or similar device, the end result doesn't look great. Prepare for queasy viewing if your arms are shaky. For moving shots, the Haugue MMC stabilizer is pretty good. Here's what it looks like: http://www.vimeo.com/713207


Decisions, Decisions