To buy a video camera or not?

[rhysd2]

i thought dvd's region formats were different than PAL and NSTC ?

and im getting confused too

 

[patdavies]

Rob,

I need to check a bit deeper. I didn't think it mattered at the raw digital level. I'll do some checking and post back.

rhysd2

DVD region codes are immaterial - they are to (attempt to) stop pre-recorded DVDs being played in another region. They are not involved in camcorder data. Even if they were, they would be exceptionally easy to overcome as you would have to tell the DVD writer for which region you wanted to record. A DVD is not PAL or NTSC - it is raw data: the DVD player adds the broadcast standard before outputting the signal to the TV

 

[rhysd2]

ahh ok Pat. thanks to both you and Rob for giving me all this info even if im getting confused along the way

let me know once you've done your checking around.

I worked for 2 years in a technology department of a largeish shop but that was over almost 3 years ago now so im out of touch when it comes to camcorder technology.

that being said my understanding would be that camcorders record in their own format on to their tapes and then record in the format of what ever you plug them into.

in other words...... i could quite happily buy a camcorder in the USA plug it into my PC, AND my VCR and record to the pc/dvd drive or a VHS cassette(in the vhs).

let me know if that isnt the case

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Hi Pat and Rhys

I'd like to test this but I don't have access to an NTSC camcorder - the only reason I mentioned a R1 DVD was because that's my only surce of NTSC footage at the moment. As Pat says, the DVD region codes are not relevant to this question.

Regards

Rob

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Pat, a bit of extra info which might help. The software standards conversion package that I hope to use is reviewed here. I assume that because software and hardware standards convertors (PAL to NTSC and NTSC to PAL) that it is not possible to mix both types of footage in the same project?

Regards

Rob

 

[Goofyish]

I've just got the Ulead VideoStudio 8, and it is possible to output a PAL captured video to a NTSC file or DVD.
The software insert the additional frames required and changes the number of lines to suit.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Tim, how good is the conversion? The editing programme I use (Final Cut Pro) can also do this conversion, but the quality is very poor - jerky video as additional frames are added and a slightly blurry picture from changing the frame size. That's why I'm testing a new software package which apparently does a much better job of the conversion.

Regards

Rob

 

[Goofyish]

Haven't actually done a conversion in anger - just checked that it could be done (so I can send home videos to friends in the USA).
Only got the software yesterday so not had a change to play with it yet (and being a complete video editting novice it may take me a while to get the hang of it).

I will have a go tonight and see what the results are like

 

[rhysd2]

found myself with a little free time so i rang jessops.

Apparently pretty much all new digital camcorders have the option inside their menu to switch between PAL and NSTC. so i should be fine getting one over there. go figure.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Rhys, that's not a feature I've seen on any camcorder. While I'm no expert on this, I've owned three different Sony camcorders and use both a Canon and Panasonic in work. None of these camcorders have a user-setting to switch between NTSC and PAL. If you do buy an NTSC camcorder in the US make sure that it has this facility before parting with your cash.

Regards

Rob

 

[rhysd2]

dont worry rob i will heh. as it stands i probably will be waiting till xmas anyway as i have a few other things in mind in FL now anyway.

however.... if a cheap one happens to jump at me hehehehe.

im actually off to the mall at bristal at the weekend so i'll pop into jessops and ask them to demonstrate for me. i picked 2 sony models off the web and they went out back and checked the manuals and boxes while i was on the phone with them so i think they are right.

we'll soon see though

 

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