Digital video questions - how much space at what rate, etc?

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
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I'll have my first DV cam in a few days. :) I know; welcome to five years ago. :roll:

I know that DV takes up a lot of HD space, but I don't know what the ratios are for "quality vs. space."

Assuming the standard recording speed, how much HD space does 1 minute of DV take? Does it work that way? It's MPEG4, right?

Any help (even a link to a tutorial) is appreciated.
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
0
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Full of questions this week ;)

Standard definition DV is DV-AVI at 13GB/hr. Divide by 60 = per minute :p Some editors will allow you to capture is as MPEG2, but I recommend against that as it is much speedier to edit DV-AVI than MPEG2 and still may have to encode it.

MPEG4 would require a conversion. There is a new AVCHD format that is MPEG4 and I see that Sony, Hitachi, JVC, and Panasonic have announced or are shipping them. They are usually HDD and there will be Blu-Ray in 07 from a quick scan at my DV haunt. You would need to buy one of these cameras and very recently to have it. You will need software from them or latest versions of some NLEs to support it.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Thanks, gsellis. I enjoy conversation with other intelligent folk. :cool:

You taught me a few things w/your reply; I really am a n00b at this video thing. I can't wait to get my feet wet with editing and such on my own videos. I've made a few DVDs from video that other people shot; i didn't have my own cam then. So I'm familiar with the mechanics of editing, but not "the whole process."

Should be a gas. :)
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
0
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It is a gas. I should be logging another tape at the moment ;) 6 more to go. After this project, I will be doing a wedding edit in HDV, which will be my first. Looking forward to it.