Sony HD Camcorder UX5 or SD?

[dakotagts]

This may not be completely on the topic of the cameras, but I got a lot of help on building my computer here.

First kid is on the way and I understand that HD is the future of our TV technology. Unless I don't know of the next big thing. Anyway, I want to see what everyone thinks of making the HD camcorder jump.

I have a $600 credit with Sonycard and I am looking to buy in the next week. I think I am going to buy a DVD cam because of the ease of playback when out of the camcorder. THat means I am left with choosing between the HD or SD camcorder. I know the HD is AVC, which is in limited compatibility. However I want everyones opinion or technical knowledge about the longevity or quality of going with HD. If you have other opinions, they have to stay Sony due to the credit with Sonycard. Also do you have to use the Sony recommended AVCHD disc that retails around $9 a disc?

Thanks for all the input.

Dakota

 

[dakotagts]

I guess no one has a HD opinion on camcorders?

 

[gsellis]

I have an opinion... Get the HC7 or HC5. With the HDD cameras, what do you do when your drive is full? You need to save the files. If you plan on keeping video for the long term, what will your backup strategy be? Tape has about 10 year lifespan and exists as discrete units. Also, the data rate on AVCHD is less than half of HDV, so you are not keeping as much of the orginal. From Fry's Sony HDV tapes are $24 for 3. $8+ each. As a note, I had always used Fujifilm DVC tapes and had a horrible experience with them in my HC7.

The DVDs are better (now that current editors handle long GOP editing), but no experience here. I use my camera for extreme stuff, so I was afraid of the vibration and writing to disc.

Also consider the Canon HV10/20 line. They feel a little cheaper, but they shoot a slight better picture. The Sony HDR-HC7's OIS is superior. I think the UX5 is similar to the HC5.

And what are you planning on editing on. HD requires a wee bit more juice as far as what you edit with.

 

[dakotagts]

I am not looking at this for the ability to edit, mostly for the long term memories. I am finding that I really have no time editing these movies. If they are ever going to be watched it will have to be on a disc without too much effort. If I put them on the mini DVD am I at the risk of loosing them over time?

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: dakotagts
If I put them on the mini DVD am I at the risk of loosing them over time?

That is the big mystery right now. The DVD spec says that writeable media is supposed to last almost 20 years. A co-worker has seen cheap media last less than a year (CRC errors on data stores). Buy the best media and don't cut corners. Maybe get a burner and backup your minis to regular DVDs such as Taiyo-Yuden media for long term as scratchs happen.

 

[dakotagts]

Nice Idea on the burner. That will also allow me to put them on a full size disc which will look and fit better in media cases. I know that it would be a waist because of the loss of disc space on a full size compared to a mini.

Also with this AVC format is it a good practice to buy the AVC sony disc or will the high quality sony DL discs work fine?

 

[dakotagts]

Bump, AVC format discs are they needed for home movies? Or can regular Sony DL discs do fine for HD recording?

 

[gsellis]

AVC is not MPEG2, so not sure you can drop it in a home player. I would be nervous about compatibility. The codec is not going away for a little and hopefully it will pick up more stream info. One of my net friends just got AVCHD material broadcasted and the broadcast guys were complementary of the quality.

There is no HD vs other one discs. Without researching it, Sony DL media is probably upper middle pack unless it is all "Made in Japan". As a loose rule, Japanese made media has been superior to other media.