High Definition Video Versus Avchd

More advanced or user friendly high def camcorders might allow you to choose between two storage formats. You can send your video recording to an internal flash drive or a standard removable memory card. This means that data is harder to loose and storage can be increased or decreased with need. This system is usually referred to as a dual flash memory.

Storage is not the only concern when purchasing a high def digital camcorder. Another thing you want to consider is how your camera records the footage you are getting. There are two main high def video formats. The first is HDV, which first appeared in 2004, and AVCHD which was not available until 2006 and is still undergoing some changes.

HDV, or high def video, records straight to a miniDV tape and comes in two standards. The first is 720p, and the second is 1080i. The numbers refer to the resolution, while the p and i refer to the video being progressive or interlaced. Progressive recording captures the video as entire frames, where interlaced will capture each frame in two fields. A little extra research will easily tell you which is right for your purposes.

AVCHD or advanced video codec high definition technology makes use of a different type of compression than its predecessor in terms of both recording and compressing the data. AVCHD is much more efficient and requires much less storage space, meaning you can capture more video without worrying about storage issues. The technology has another big benefit. It gives you the ability to transfer files from your camera straight to the computer at a signifigantly faster rate than HDV. It is also far easier to work with than a tape because there is no rewinding and fast forwarding involved. Along with the two high def formats we talked about with HDV, this technology can record in full high definition. This is helpful if you are interested in even the tiniest of details or if you use your high def camcorder for a movie making hobby instead of just for junior first piano recital.

More manufacturers like Canon and Sony are picking up on the use of AVCHD instead of HDV. While HDV has benifits and is still viable, it just is not up to speed. There are still some advantages to HDV though. Because HDV is a tried and true method and not still being advanced, the quality of the camcorders themselves are higher than that of AVCHD. Video editing software is also still very new with AVCHD and is just beginning to reach the full potential of that format.

Whichever you decide on, you'll have plenty of choices. Check out your local electronics store for more information and to decide on which will serve you best.