Extreme Confusion Over Record Format

[7986andrew]

OK Heres the plan, I cant afford 2 "Pro" cameras so proposed to buy a Panasonic HDC-SD700 for "spot shots" and a AG-HMC80 for general filming and to add some "professionalism" to customers.

The problem which I cant get my head round is can the recorded footage from the two cameras be mixed. The HDC quotes 1080/50p, it also lists HA. HG, HX and HE all at 1920x1080 but the AG-HMC80 quotes 10/50i, 1080/25P.

I cant believe two panasonic HD cameras would be compatable but from all i read it doesnt sound so!

Help this is so confusing!!!

(PS go easy i am a newbe on tech stuff)

[edDV]

OK Heres the plan, I cant afford 2 "Pro" cameras so proposed to buy a Panasonic HDC-SD700 for "spot shots" and a AG-HMC80 for general filming and to add some "professionalism" to customers.

The problem which I cant get my head round is can the recorded footage from the two cameras be mixed. The HDC quotes 1080/50p, it also lists HA. HG, HX and HE all at 1920x1080 but the AG-HMC80 quotes 10/50i, 1080/25P.

I cant believe two panasonic HD cameras would be compatable but from all i read it doesnt sound so!

Help this is so confusing!!!

(PS go easy i am a newbe on tech stuff)

They are roughly compatible at 1920x1080 50i. The HDC-SD700 adds a 1920x1080 50p mode which offers some advantage for hand held use or for slo-mo effects (when played as 25p).

What is your target timeline format? 1080 50i? 25p? other?

What is your editor?

[7986andrew]

Well, to be completly honest i am new to all this. I have dabbled in consumer cams for years but now i am struggling. My "Target time line format" is unclear. I understand 25p to have a more cinimatic feel? But 50i seems more common. I originally picked the HDCSD700 based on a number of rave reviews on the quality of a consumer cam, intended to add a wide lens and an ext mic an hey presto instant semi pro! How wrong could i be?

I have used cyber link power director in past, but recently changed to adobe premier elements with a view to upgrading to elements pro in the future.

Sorry to babble on, all i really need to know at this stage is if i got the two camera can i find a common recording format where i can download and edit both sets of footage into one movie?

(Really appreciate your help here)

[edDV]

Well, to be completly honest i am new to all this. I have dabbled in consumer cams for years but now i am struggling. My "Target time line format" is unclear. I understand 25p to have a more cinimatic feel? But 50i seems more common. I originally picked the HDCSD700 based on a number of rave reviews on the quality of a consumer cam, intended to add a wide lens and an ext mic an hey presto instant semi pro! How wrong could i be?

I have used cyber link power director in past, but recently changed to adobe premier elements with a view to upgrading to elements pro in the future.

Sorry to babble on, all i really need to know at this stage is if i got the two camera can i find a common recording format where i can download and edit both sets of footage into one movie?

(Really appreciate your help here)

Both camcorders will be compatible with 1920x1080 50i (the AVCHD default) or 1920x1080 25p. The latter will require special camera technique (tripods, camera stabilization, narrow depth of field lenses, +film school) and a pro level editor.

The special 50p mode of the HDCSD700 can be used for extreme hand held or slo-mo but for normal shooting use 50i. 50i will be compatible with Premiere Elements.

[7986andrew]

Thanks for your help - really useful