High def camcorder, what video format you get ?

[geek2330]

I used to have a mini-dv tape camcorder which I lost some time ago. I knew the tools to extract the video as *.AVI using Winavi.

Looking at these high definition camcorders, both using mini cards and hard drives:
1. how do you extract the video, what program to use without degrading the video quality
2. do you get the same format
3. I assume using firewire transfer is highly recommended

thanks..!!

[VirtualDoobMon]

most HD cams are HDD based and use either MPEG2 or AVC compression.
These units will come with some sort of basic NLE editing software (most seem to be by Cyberlink) . The units will mount as Removable HDD so check "my computer" to copy the clips. They're not like DV camcorders where you will get device control (something that confusing lots of people). Some units will have an optional DV output docking station that you can use to create play lists (in the unit) to output thru DV but this is mainly for mac users who don't have proper plugins. Anyway, for JVC HD units, that use MPEG2, you can Megui to convert as it uses DGindex, and for AVC units use DGAVCDec with Vdub or AVIdemux.

[Soopafresh]

HDV = MPEG2 Transport Stream = Usually DV tape, but there are hard drive models. Use HDVSplit via Firewire for lossless transfer from camcorder to PC.

AVCHD = h264 Transport Stream = flash memory or internal hard drive = Can be mounted as another drive on your PC and copied over, or most models have proprietary transfer software. Almost all AVCHD camcorders use USB transfer.

[rumplestiltskin]

Don't buy a hi-def camcorder until you secure a few clips that you drop onto your computer and confirm that you can actually work with the file(s). AVCHD files are notorious for having very high hardware requirements. This is why some people are returning them. Check the comments on the camcorder(s) you are considering at Amazon.

The MPEG2 camcorders should present less of a problem.

Frankly, I'm sticking with SD until I replace my (one year old) iMac in 2010. I expect there will either be an embedded H264 chip or two more generations of Intel CPU improvements make such a chip moot.

[edDV]

Your computer (3GHZ P4) won't handle AVCHD playback or editing.

You would be much happier with tape based HDV (MPeg2) format which transfers over IEEE-1394 similar to DV. The Canon HV30 is the king of that segment getting top marks from camcorderinfo.com to Consumer Reports.