Audio quality of camcorders and other needed features

15 Apr 2007 9:50 PM

lbrtchx

Which of the camcorders out let you choose and adjust the audio
format you want to use?
~
Could camcorders out there record MP3 audio at, say, 44.1kHz/160kbps
per channel?
~
Also two other features I would like to have are:
~
being able to use a power cord instead of having to always use
batteries, and
~
streaming the recorded data directly to a PC instead of using a
memory card or a DVD-RW
~
thanks
lbrtchx

15 Apr 2007 11:12 PM

David Ruether

<lbrt***@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1176673855.296883.76350@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> Which of the camcorders out let you choose and adjust the audio
> format you want to use?
> Could camcorders out there record MP3 audio at, say, 44.1kHz/160kbps
> per channel?

Some permit choice of 12 or 16 bit 48kHz PCM, but unless
you intend to dub in the extra two channels on the tape, why
take the quality hit with 12 bit? You can change the audio
format later if you want.

> Also two other features I would like to have are:
> ~
> being able to use a power cord instead of having to always use
> batteries, and

All I know of permit this, but batteries of such large capacity
are available for many that why would one bother with the
extra gear and cords?

> streaming the recorded data directly to a PC instead of using a
> memory card or a DVD-RW

You can send it by FireWire in its original higher quality
Mini-DV format, without tape, MC, or DVD - but tape
offers a secure backup of the original, and it may be erased
later, if wanted...

--
David Ruether
d_ruet***@hotmail.com
www.donferrario.com/ruether/
(note address change)

16 Apr 2007 1:18 AM

=(8)

<lbrt***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
Show quoteHide quote

news:1176673855.296883.76350@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Which of the camcorders out let you choose and adjust the audio
> format you want to use?
> ~
> Could camcorders out there record MP3 audio at, say, 44.1kHz/160kbps
> per channel?
> ~
> Also two other features I would like to have are:
> ~
> being able to use a power cord instead of having to always use
> batteries, and
> ~
> streaming the recorded data directly to a PC instead of using a
> memory card or a DVD-RW
> ~
> thanks
> lbrtchx
>

I know some camcorders will let you use them as webcam and that is
streaming. The Sony DCR-HC96 I just ordered does. As far as MP3 there are
probably cost for licensing issues and processing power to do the
compression on the fly. I am sure most camcorders have the processing power
of a fungus nat so they can only do so much and do it in real time. There
are also some limits imposed for the video format that they use.

=(8)

16 Apr 2007 8:31 AM

lbrtchx

> You can change the audio format later if you want.

Not really you cannot convert from a loosy/compress format like MP3
to a lossless one like WAV
~

> ... why would one bother with the extra gear and cords?

Because sometimes you would like not having to use batteries and by
the way backups can be made from disks too. I was even thinking of a
camera sending its data wirelessly
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

> I know some camcorders will let you use them as webcam and that is streaming. The Sony DCR-HC96 I just ordered does.

This sounds great
~

> I am sure most camcorders have the processing power of a fungus nat

I would disagree with you "processing power" is cheap now adays. A
cell phone has almost as much memory and pp than the "super computers"
they used years ago to run telephone switches
~

>
> There are also some limits imposed for the video format that they use.

Hmm. Could you please elaborate more on this?
~
thanks
lbrtchx

16 Apr 2007 3:08 PM

David Ruether

Show quote Hide quote

<lbrt***@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1176712299.529231.308100@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>> You can change the audio format later if you want.
> Not really you cannot convert from a loosy/compress format like MP3
> to a lossless one like WAV
> ~
>> ... why would one bother with the extra gear and cords?
> Because sometimes you would like not having to use batteries and by
> the way backups can be made from disks too. I was even thinking of a
> camera sending its data wirelessly
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>> I know some camcorders will let you use them as webcam and that is streaming. The Sony DCR-HC96 I just ordered does.
> This sounds great
> ~
>> I am sure most camcorders have the processing power of a fungus nat
> I would disagree with you "processing power" is cheap now adays. A
> cell phone has almost as much memory and pp than the "super computers"
> they used years ago to run telephone switches
> ~
>>
>> There are also some limits imposed for the video format that they use.
> Hmm. Could you please elaborate more on this?
> ~
> thanks
> lbrtchx

Don'cha jes' lovit when someone posts a bunch of questions
(seeking suggestions and answers, presumably...) that indicate
little knowledge, and then doesn't read them carefully and/or
argues with the response...? ;-)
--DR

17 Apr 2007 12:35 AM

mw

On 15 Apr 2007 14:50:55 -0700, lbrt***@hotmail.com wrote:

Show quoteHide quote

> Which of the camcorders out let you choose and adjust the audio
>format you want to use?
>~
> Could camcorders out there record MP3 audio at, say, 44.1kHz/160kbps
>per channel?
>~
> Also two other features I would like to have are:
>~
> being able to use a power cord instead of having to always use
>batteries, and
>~
> streaming the recorded data directly to a PC instead of using a
>memory card or a DVD-RW
>~
> thanks
> lbrtchx

18 Apr 2007 1:00 AM

Video clip

<lbrt***@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:1176673855.296883.76350@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Which of the camcorders out let you choose and adjust the audio
> format you want to use?
> ~

Not an option as far as DV or DVD camcorders.
DV records as DV-AVI and DVD records as compliant mpeg2,
Editing software can easily extract the audio to whatever
format you wishm but it's pre-ordained how it's recorded.

> Could camcorders out there record MP3 audio at, say, 44.1kHz/160kbps
> per channel?

See above. The audio quality of DV and DVD are of higher quality,
once recorded you can edit to whatever compression required.

> ~
> Also two other features I would like to have are:
> ~
> being able to use a power cord instead of having to always use
> batteries, and

Yes, they all come supplied with a dock or adapter allowing the
cam to run from mains supply.

> ~
> streaming the recorded data directly to a PC instead of using a
> memory card or a DVD-RW
> ~

Yep, via firewire, all camcorders can do this, and windows comes
bundled with a free capture/editing application to do this -
Windows Movie Maker, you of course require a PC with a firewire port.
Note: ALL camcorders can output (DV-OUT) via firewire to a PC but
not all cam's can accept a signal *from* a PC, if that is important
to you to be able to transfer footage to a cam, ensure you purchase
a model that is listed: "DV-OUT/IN" (Bi-directional)

Show quoteHide quote

> thanks
> lbrtchx
>

18 Apr 2007 3:25 PM

lbrtchx

OK, let me reword my question a bit and you might see why I am so
interested in the audio part of camcorders not to be loosy (as MP3,
mpeg2). I am not just bssing you around here
~
As part of my school work I need to record ESL students as they
improve their pronunciation. it is not all about sound, but visuals
are important too for the students to be able to actually "see" and
"listen to" their own mistakes
~
part of the work is also to study in a somewhat mesaurable way how
well they are doing. I hope/think I can use a phonemes improvement
based on FFT
~
I can only use commercial stuff, but I must really see if what I need
is possible
~
lbrtchx

18 Apr 2007 7:39 PM

David Ruether

Show quote Hide quote

<lbrt***@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1176909907.610244.326740@b58g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> OK, let me reword my question a bit and you might see why I am so
> interested in the audio part of camcorders not to be loosy (as MP3,
> mpeg2). I am not just bssing you around here
> ~
> As part of my school work I need to record ESL students as they
> improve their pronunciation. it is not all about sound, but visuals
> are important too for the students to be able to actually "see" and
> "listen to" their own mistakes
> ~
> part of the work is also to study in a somewhat mesaurable way how
> well they are doing. I hope/think I can use a phonemes improvement
> based on FFT
> ~
> I can only use commercial stuff, but I must really see if what I need
> is possible
> ~
> lbrtchx

OK, I don't know if I should bother to answer this one again, but...;-)
a) Use a Mini-DV camcorder (the best have very high picture quality
and mikes - or you can add a lavaliere or short shotgun to many) - and
the 48kHz 16 bit PCM audio is not compressed.
b) Use either an awkward power supply plus power cord plus supply
cord, or a MUCH more convenient high-capacity battery (these can run
MANY hours...).
c) Record to tape and/or computer for storage (tape offers better
long-term security and is much more convenient) - and either can be
transferred without loss by FireWire to/from the computer.
d) Once the audio track is in the computer, you can do anything you
want with it.
e) But I and "video clip" already said this...

--
David Ruether
d_ruet***@hotmail.com
www.donferrario.com/ruether/
(note address change)