Samsung MX20 camcorder - any native samples around?

[rumplestiltskin]

I've seen some samples from the new HMX20 (the hi-def version) but I've been looking for native footage from the standard-def MX20 version. If you have any posted online somewhere or know where some clips might be found, would you mind posting a reply to this message?

I know there are YouTube-quality (=lousy quality) clips out there but I'm really interested in seeing what this new camcorder can do in its various native formats. (I know it "does YouTube" video in addition to its other formats but what you see on YouTube currently is the 320x240 junk and not the 640x480 versions.)

Thanks very much.

[rumplestiltskin]

Well, seeing as this little guy is new, perhaps no one has it yet.

I managed to find one at the local BestBuy and convinced the manager to let me shoot a few minutes of video with it. Unfortunately, I had it set to the "YouTube" mode (30fps, 640x480) so the butrate isn't very high. Nevertheless, what I shot in the store looks fairly nice considering it's in the "worst-quality" mode.

The only thing I don't like about this camcorder (and it's not just this unit) is that it doesn't have a viewfinder like "traditional" camcorders. I suppose this isn't a big deal for those youngsters with perfect vision but I had to move the camcorder about 2.5 feet away in order to have my eyes sharply focused on the little LCD (2.7" diag. IIRC). I'd really have to wear my glasses but then I'd have to remove them in order to see anything that's not being shown in the LCD.

Pity; I'd really like to buy this Samsung as the video it shoots drops right into my Mac and plays without any problems (unlike many other AVC camcorders) but I don't think I'm ready right now to abandon the traditional eye-level viewfinder.

Anyway, here are the links to the sample files.

http://rapidshare.de/files/40437705/SDV_0002.MP4.html
(I believe this was shot using the "spotlight" mode)

http://rapidshare.de/files/40437706/SDV_0005.MP4.html
(I believe I shot this using the "Automatic" mode)

Remember that these were shot at the lowest, "YouTube-ready" bitrate. See the manual for that spec.

[rumplestiltskin]

CORRECTION to my last post. Based upon the aspect ratio of the raw footage, I had erroneously identified the uploaded video samples as being shot at the "YouTube"-quality setting. WRONG.

The manual states that the default setting is the "TV-Fine" mode which is "4.0mbps". There's an even better mode called "TV-SuperFine" which is "5.0mbps". Frankly, I think the manual that's available for download at the Samsung website is incorrect; perhaps it was rushed into print before they nailed down the specs. The two videos I uploaded are both about 5.0mbps. It's possible the manager, in his rush to setup the unit for my testing, altered the default setting but I think all he was doing was setting the date and time (which I think he set wrong).

Furthermore, the files I uploaded have awful scan lines. When I alter the aspect ratio (from 720x480 to 720x400), the proportions are now proper and the quality is improved. Nevertheless, I think I may have an extra codec floating around my system (Comet G3 for AVCHD which I installed for some HD footage I was playing with from the HMX20 HD version of the MX20) and it may be decoding the video for QuickTime. I'll have to work with this a bit.

I ran both video clips through MPEG Streamclip at 1300kbps H264 and altered the size to 720x400. Here is where you may download them:

http://rapidshare.de/files/40437832/SDV_0002_720x400_1300kbps_H264_.mp4.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/40437833/SDV_0005_720x400_1300kbps_H264_.mp4.html

These should both play in a 5G iPod and AppleTV. You'll see the apparent quality is much improved - no scan lines (and the files sizes are greatly reduced).

[rumplestiltskin]

Add'l info after more testing:

Looks like Samsung pooched the metadata in their codec. The 16:9 flag isn't set so the video plays back at 720x480 when, instead, it should be 853x480 or 720x400. I've been using MPEG Streamclip to resize the frame to 853x480 and lower the bitrate (from 5Mbps to 1.3Mbps). I also normalize the audio as the on-camera mic doesn't improve anything (but that's not usual for any on-camera mic on any camcorder). I've dropped the resulting file into my AppleTV and been very pleased with the result.

By the way, MediaEdit Pro does a fine job as a NLE. Until this evening, there's even a MacUpdate Promo so you can buy the app for $35. (No association with the developer; I just like the app.)

[peterwynne]

Hi there, I've read through your testing of the HMX20 and wondered if you could help me out?

I have the MX20 - and have the problem where any 16:9 video I try and play on my mac gets squashed to 4:3.

I've used the MPEG stream clip to resize it - but I wondered if you know of a codec that might let quicktime play the files 'off the bat' without the need for resizing?

I've tried 3ivx, but it didn't work...

[rumplestiltskin]

The problem is that Samsung's codec doesn't set the 16:9 flag properly. You should have received my PM with some directions. Let us know how it goes.

edit: I indicated iMovieHD and FCP for editing DV. MediaEdit (as I mentioned in an earlier post) will edit mp4 without a problem. You will have to deinterlace upon export from MediaEdit (instead of deinterlacing out of MPEG Streamclip as I recommended in my PM).

[peterwynne]

yeah - worked a treat - whats the difference in deinterlacing in mediaedit?

[rumplestiltskin]

yeah - worked a treat - whats the difference in deinterlacing in mediaedit?

Doesn't really matter where you deinterlace but it does need to be done or you get that comb effect (in my experience although there may be some instances where it might be left interlaced and still look okay).

[CuriousDan]

Hm, maybe I should shoot a couple of scenes with it and post them on mediafire or rapidshare.... I like the Samsung a lot.