Mini-DV versus Super8 and VHS-C...... (comparisons)

17 Dec 2006 9:12 PM

David_nj_7

I have had a VHS-C and Super 8 camcorder but am thinking about getting
a Mini-DV unit. From a technical standpoint, (resolution, lines
etc...) how will the MiniDV compare in picture QUALITY to the other 2
formats. If someone could give a brief explanation, that would be
great.

Thanks

DAVID

17 Dec 2006 10:40 PM

davesvideo@aol.com

David_n***@mailbolt.com wrote:

> I have had a VHS-C and Super 8 camcorder

I don't think so. Super 8 is a film format, so I suspect that what you
have is a Hi-8 camcorder.

> From a technical standpoint, (resolution, lines
> etc...) how will the MiniDV compare in picture QUALITY to the other 2
> formats.

VHS-C -- Bad
Hi-8 --- Better, and if you have a good model, a lot better.
MiniDV - Probably, more better. But, a cheap one might not give as
good a picture as good hi-8.
But, since it is digital there are a number of
advantages.

Dave

17 Dec 2006 11:12 PM

David_nj_7

davesvi***@aol.com wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> David_n***@mailbolt.com wrote:
> > I have had a VHS-C and Super 8 camcorder
>
> I don't think so. Super 8 is a film format, so I suspect that what you
> have is a Hi-8 camcorder.
>
> > From a technical standpoint, (resolution, lines
> > etc...) how will the MiniDV compare in picture QUALITY to the other 2
> > formats.
>
> VHS-C -- Bad
> Hi-8 --- Better, and if you have a good model, a lot better.
> MiniDV - Probably, more better. But, a cheap one might not give as
> good a picture as good hi-8.
> But, since it is digital there are a number of
> advantages.
>
> Dave

Thanks.... but what I don't understand is... how can it be DIGITAL....
and yet use tapes?

Thanks

D.

17 Dec 2006 11:45 PM

davesvideo@aol.com

David_n***@mailbolt.com wrote:

> Thanks.... but what I don't understand is... how can it be DIGITAL....
> and yet use tapes?

>

Why not? You just record ones and zeros onto tape. For many years most
computer operations used tape for storing data and I once had a friend
who made a bit generator so that he could back up his home computer on
VHS tape.

Dave

18 Dec 2006 12:07 AM

PTravel

<David_n***@mailbolt.com> wrote in message

news:1166389960.229728.76480@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
>I have had a VHS-C and Super 8 camcorder but am thinking about getting
> a Mini-DV unit. From a technical standpoint, (resolution, lines
> etc...) how will the MiniDV compare in picture QUALITY to the other 2
> formats. If someone could give a brief explanation, that would be
> great.
>
> Thanks
>
> DAVID

Super 8 is a film format, not a video format. I assume you mean 8mm (or,
perhaps, Hi8).

VHS resolves around 250 lines.
8mm is the same.
Hi8 can resolve around 400 lines.
MiniDV can resolve up to 525.

However, quality is a function of more than just format -- lens, sensor and
electronics play a big roll. All things being equal, a miniDV camcorder
will produce dramatically better v ideo than a VHS or 8mm. However, there
are low-quality miniDV camcorders, just as there are high-quality ones. I'm
sure that, without too much difficulty, you can find a cheap miniDV
camcorder every bit as lousy as a VHS.
Show quoteHide quote

>

18 Dec 2006 4:33 PM

Jukka Aho

PTravel wrote:

> VHS resolves around 250 lines.
> 8mm is the same.
> Hi8 can resolve around 400 lines.
> MiniDV can resolve up to 525.
>
> However, quality is a function of more than just format -- lens,
> sensor and electronics play a big roll. All things being equal, a
> miniDV camcorder will produce dramatically better v ideo than a VHS
> or 8mm. However, there are low-quality miniDV camcorders, just as
> there are high-quality ones.

As demonstrated here:

<http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/respat/index.html>

(OK, TR7000 is strictly speaking a Digital 8 camcorder, but both
formats - Digital 8 and MiniDV - are capable of storing exactly the same
images/data on tape, so it's only the CCD chip and the lens that matter
here.)

--
znark