Hard Drive Digital Cam-Corders

Posted by aussieinhk (577 days ago)

Thinking of buying one of the new Cam-Corders with a Hard Drive as the storage medium. The two I am considering are the:

JVC GZ-MG50jAH-U
Sony HDR-SR1/E

Anyone have either of these models? Anyone know where I can find a quality non-biased comparison review?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (577 days ago)

We just bought the Sony HDR (thats the new one right?) to use for AX TV... we took video of our mixer last week and are editing it... seems to be quite good

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aussieinhk (572 days ago)

Thanks Ed. Bought the Sony. Love it. A little bigger than I'd like but easy to hold and easy to use. Now all I need is a HD-TV (Plasma of course) to appreciate the full capabilities :-)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 25L▬Φ▬25R (571 days ago)

G'day Aussieinhk,

If your pc/laptop has dual core processors, you will be able to enjoy 720p, possibly even 1080i depending on how fast your video card-monitor will allow you to sync to the edited footage.

So sharp it is literally jaw dropping.

There are plenty of 37" 1080i/1200p capable LCD screens available in Hong Kong for between 10,000 _13,999 that will provide you a very pleasing HDTV experience, especially if you connect your Sony camera to one of these screens via the HDMI connection. hmm, Kicks a** it does ( said like Yoda ) lol

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (509 days ago)

Anyone know of an editing software (preferably free) that will work with the Sony HDR?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aussieinhk (508 days ago)

Hi Ed,

You've found out what I did the hard way huh? There is currently NO software that I am aware of that allows you to edit AVCHD format. Sony does supply some Windows stuff, with the camera that is absolute crap. So until it's available, we appear to have a cutting edge, top of the line paper weight! I'm so bloody pissed off!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (508 days ago)

:( ... SG Ed says there is some software but costs USD500... will report back once we find out more

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (493 days ago)

Just off the horn to Sony (if you wanna it done right you gots to do it yourself eh) and they tell me that there is a disc with the camera called Image Mixer - dont recall seeing that (will check at home tonight) but in any event its online as well: http://www.imagemixer.com

Hopefully this is easy to use... if so I will be going to Afghanistan to try to find Bin Laden and get a scoop interview...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aussieinhk (460 days ago)

Ok. After several months of having a HKD$12k+ paper weight, I have a solution.
Change the recording settings to SD, rather than HD and the files are created as MPEG2. There is not a real noticable difference that I can see in the quality. (But I am not an expert)

Therefore, any video editing software that can read/write/edit MPEG2 files, will work. With Apple's Quicktime (at least on a Mac) you have to install an MPEG2 plugin. HKD$140

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (460 days ago)

Will give this a try - Image Mixer was not the solution

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (424 days ago)

Have you been able to make this work?

If not any idea on freelance video editor to help out? We have loads of ideas for the site but nobody to edit....

(I am based in Hong Kong)