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General discussion

Question: NEED camcorder HD/SD AVCHD/MPEG 2 help.

by dapperdanman Jun 1, 2009 2:14AM PDT

I have a 3-4 year old Macbook. So, I doubt that it could handle editing and converting AVCHD files. I want a camcorder that records both formats AVCHD and MPEG2. I'll want to use the HD when, in a year from now, I'll be getting a new computer. It also needs to be portable and around $600. Any ideas? Thanks!

Also, I'm staying in Asia at the moment. Do I need to make sure to get a NTSC camcorder? I'm not 100% what that even is.

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3 Posts
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Just to Clarify...
by dapperdanman Jun 1, 2009 3:24AM PDT

I don't know anything about Codec. I'm just starting to learn about it. The point is, I just want video I can edit for a year on my MacBook and better video later when I have a computer that can handle it. This Sony HDR-CX100 shoots in both Codec formats AVCHD (HD)/MPEG 2 (SD). Are there other camcorders that do? Is there a better one? Am I barking up the wrong tree and don't know what I'm talking about? I'm quite confused and would really appreciate some help.

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HDV?
by dapperdanman Jun 1, 2009 5:46PM PDT

Would it be better for me to us HDV? I was looking at the canon VIXIA HV30. I haven't really read about what is needed to edit HDV. Would I be able to edit it with my 3-4 year old MacBook or would I need a more powerful computer to handle HDV too? thanks

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The difference between HDV and AVCHD
by mattdot Jun 3, 2009 6:17PM PDT

The performance difference you are going to see between those two formats is the importing of video. Once you import, the video will be in the editing software's native format and there will be no difference between the two (in terms of computing power).

AVCHD is a more complex algorithm and takes more processing power to decode than HDV's MPEG2. However, if you only edit together a little of what you shoot, it's easier to pick and choose WHAT to import on a Flash or HDD camcorder. HDV makes it harder to just import a few things. Importing clips you don't need might negate faster processing time.

The HV30 and HV40 are both really good HDV camcorders.

AVCHD is typically only on Flash / HDD camcorders. This comparison of flash camcorders and minidv/hdv camcorders might help.

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