Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Recording Format - Panasonic PV-GS90

Jan 4, 2011 11:33PM PST

I am interested in purchasing a PV-GS90 but am confused about the recording format. I do know it records to MiniDV tapes and transfers to the PC through a iEEE1394 Firewire which is how my Canon Optura 20 works. However, I find several references to the file format from MPEG to H.264/AVC and so forth.

My question is: Does any one have a PV-GS90 and, if so, does it transfer from the camcorder to the PC OK?

I presently use Roxio EMC 7 (on a Sony "Media Edition" Vaio PC with WindowsXP) to download the video from the camcorder to the PC and edit the video which works well. The Roxio capture gives me the option to bring the data across in either DV (which are large files) or MPEG (which are smaller but slightly less image quality) files. For what I do I select MPEG.

I would appreciate hearing anything about the PV-GS format because if I can determine it is the same as the Optura 20 I will purchase the PV-GS even though it is an obsolete model as it fulfills all I want in a camcorder.

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Link, comment.
Jan 5, 2011 4:51AM PST
- Collapse -
Recording Format - Panasonic PV-GS90
Jan 5, 2011 8:22AM PST

I stopped by 2 full blown camera stores and an electronics chain store today. Each said that every MiniDV camcorder records to the tape with the same format. Therefore, since my Canon downloads and edits OK the Panasonic will too.

That is also what your reference link says. I had seen that before but it was not quite specific enough since it talks in a generic means. Knowing what I now know, I understand the explanation given in that link and it goes along with what I found out today.

Thank you very much for responding to my post as it solidifies my thinking.

- Collapse -
One caution...
Jan 5, 2011 10:07PM PST

You have found "DV is DV".

What we have heard from some posters is "DV is DV in SP mode" (tape speed setting when recording).
but
in LP mode, moving the tape across vendors - even within vendors but to another camcorder model - can have playback issues.

Don't know why, just know what I read. Resolution is to always record in SP mode - it is the default.

- Collapse -
Recording Format - Panasonic PV-GS90
Jan 5, 2011 11:35PM PST

Thanks. That nails it to the wall! Would never have had the question but for different specification listed among the sea of websites and each one listed the format by different format nomenclature. I guess one neeeds to know quite a bit in order to understand what is involved.

It is more difficult to find exact information when the camera is out of production. Reason for my wanting the PV-GS90 is that it is tape based (Good quality image capture), has a viewfinder (no question in bright light), has optical image stabilization (handles camera jitters) and uses iEEE1394 Firewire (which is fast and I am familiar with) even though the tape based media is not as convienient as memory based media. I have tried one of the new memory card camcorders and just was not satisfied with the image quality as it was very grainy, especially along edges of contracting colors and when panning. My understanding of that is the format for card based camcorders is set up to provide more recording space thus a less refined image. Something like the megapixels in still cameras.

I never use LP as I have heard (never tried it out) that the image quality takes a hit. So that should not be a problem.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. I will now order my camcorder with the confidence that is should work out just fine.

- Collapse -
for what this is worth...
Jan 6, 2011 1:48AM PST

I have recorded SP speed, standard definition, DV format, video with a Canon Elura 60, Panasonic PV-GS320 and Sony HDR-HC1 (though this one's default is HDV, just setting the menu item to DV is easy enough). Each of the camcorders has had tapes from the others for playback and importing to a video editor over firewire... with no issues.

The only *expected* thing that does not work is HDV video in the standard def cams. This is not an issue - as indicated, this is expected. HDV cams can deal with DV; DV cams cannot deal with HDV.

Regarding your comment on "tape based media is not as convienient as memory based media"... Personally, I don't see any difference in "convenience" (insert, fill with video, remove, lock, insert blank) - and find digital tape's long-term archive a whole lot easier than the computer or network based alternative required for flash memory or hard disc drive camcorders. Copying files for transcoding or importing directly to the video editor if it can deal with the video format directly is no more convenient than rewinding the tape, connecting with firewire and pressing "Import" - but maybe that's just me.

Yes, it is possible to store DV or HDV format video to hard disc drives or flash memory media (Focus Enhancements' FireStore series and Sony's solid state external memory module are proof). I agree with you on the video quality - video compression is not our friend, but for many, it is apparently (and sadly) "good enough".

- Collapse -
Recording Format PV-GS90
Jan 7, 2011 12:25AM PST

The only comvenience that I was thinking of is DV does not have the file "thumbnails" which are useful to quickly find a particular file in the media. DV requires that you cruise through the linear tape to find that certain file. However, I do understand most camcorders have a means of "marking the spot" along the tape for later retrieval. I have never tried this option so perhaps it would be just like the thumbnails although still requiring the linear operation to arrive at. I personally download my videos soon after recording so I know what and where the recently recorder files are. Then too, once I have found a file all the associated files are right there as well.


Here is something that viewers of this forum may not know. While each manufacturer recommends their own brand of mini DV tape, once a brand of tape is used, one should use only that brand in the camcorder from then on. The reason lies in the "Dry Lubricant" each manufactures uses on their tape. The intermixing of brands causes a chemical incompatibility which tends to foul the heads. This was told to me by a camcorder repair facility and proved to be true by a friend and myself.

I thank you for your response as this area is beyond my intelligence. I now am absolutely sure that the PV-GS90 is for me, especially since you have even indicated the format is compatible between mini DV tape camcorder manufacturers!
It is great to have a discussion group like this to resolve questions no matter how idiotic they may be. Thanks to all of you!