hd formats

[devdev]

is there anywhere where i can see an an overview of different hd file formats and their pros and cons vis a vis editing

im trying to get to grips with what delivers better quality, ability to burn to blu ray dvd burners and compatibility on editing suites etc etc

[redwudz]

Here's one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_high_definition_optical_disc_formats Probably not exactly what you are looking for as it is mainly about disc formats.

As fas as editing goes, look into the Neo Scene Cineform codec if you want to do much editing with HD formats.

[edDV]

Better to ask you questions here. Be specific about source format, editing software and destination. If Blu-Ray there are different kinds. Formal Blu-Ray is described here.
https://www.videohelp.com/hd

Some players also play AVCHD files with limited menus.

[devdev]

is there such as thing as an equivilant to dv-avi in hd file terms that will will offer a balance between quality and compatibility accross platforms?

[edDV]

is there such as thing as an equivilant to dv-avi in hd file terms that will will offer a balance between quality and compatibility accross platforms?

There are two standardized camcorder formats for consumer HD.

HDV is Mpeg2 (12 frame GOP for PAL). It is recorded to MiniDV tape and transferred over IEEE-1394 similar to DV-AVI and uses the same 25 Mb/s bit rate.

AVCHD is MPeg4 (h.264, 12 frame GOP) and is more compressed for recording to flash media. AVCHD requires much more computer power for NLE style editing. Normal practice is to convert AVCHD to a digital intermediate format for editing. Apple uses AIC. Cineform is the most popular digital intermediate for Windows but can also be used on the Mac. Avid also has a cross platform intermediate codec.

Pro HD camcorders have several camcorder formats. XDCAM-EX is similar to HDV (MPeg2) but has higher bit rate. DVCPro-HD is an HD version of the DV format and uses the same codec. AVC-Intra uses h.264 intraframe compression but records separate frames similar to DV.

[devdev]

great - cheers

do i take it then that in simple terms, hdv is in quality terms a good middle of the ground hd format (that will work on most editing platforms?)

[edDV]

great - cheers

do i take it then that in simple terms, hdv is in quality terms a good middle of the ground hd format (that will work on most editing platforms?)

Most consumer edit programs split into SD only and premium SD/HD/Digital camera versions. HDV is supported in the latter. HDV editing generally requires a Core2 Duo or better. AVCHD format generally requires a Core2 Quad/i5/i7 up unless a digital intermedeiate is used.