HD to SD

[methuenbill]

I have footage shot in HD. I have loaded it to my 4K. Do I have to render it. If I do then can I export it after rendering to a SD dvd? My camera can shoot in both SD and HD at the same time. Will the quality be better if shot in HD and exported to Sd. If so, how do I do it.

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

With the S4000 once it's input you just start editing it.

Rendering will be just like with SD stuff only it takes longer.

To export it back out to tape in it's HD form will require a very time consuming finalizing in the Finish menu (this is different than edit rendering and Add Film).

I seriously question that your cam can shoot in both SD and HD at the same time.

You sure you did not mean it can record either way?

Your last question really depends on your cam, is it HDV or HD, tape or card, model number, etc.

Whether shooting in HD gives you a superior SD result again seems to depend on the cam and you'd be better off shooting a little in controlled environment similar to what you normally shoot in and try it both ways to decide for yourself if HD gives you a visibly superior SD result or not.

[methuenbill]

The camera is the Sony NXCAM HXR-NX5U Camcorder. It has 2 sd card slots and Optional 128GB Flash Memory Unit, HXR-FMU128 This lets you record in both modes. I am trying both at the same time recording to the cards in SD and the module in HD. I hope to compare the outputs to a standard dvd and a dual lauer to see how much recording time I can get on each.

[LouBruno]

The Sony HVR-Z7 and SONY HVR-270 can record both SD and HD. Why SONY is doing away with a dual format (tape and flash) is beyond me. One of our members in my video association lost half of a special event on his cards. He is trying to restore what is missing by sending the card back to the manufacturer. What a headache.

The camera is the Sony NXCAM HXR-NX5U Camcorder. It has 2 sd card slots and Optional 128GB Flash Memory Unit, HXR-FMU128 This lets you record in both modes. I am trying both at the same time recording to the cards in SD and the module in HD. I hope to compare the outputs to a standard dvd and a dual lauer to see how much recording time I can get on each.

[methuenbill]

If I shoot in hd and then load as hd can I export to a standard dvd will the quality be better than loading in the sd file. I have both files.

[TimKennelly]

No way to tell without trying it as it totally will depend on the record quality that that particular camera records HD and SD.

[methuenbill]

Noticed in the settings AVCHD to dvd. What does it do for us? I can't find a referance to it in the arabesk manual.

[MichaelD]

It allows "HD" footage (AVCHD) to be recorded onto a standard DVD disk - give or take 18 minutes worth.

It's bit/data rate is less than using a Blu Ray - but still very presentable

[methuenbill]

I have a dilemma. I can shoot HD and SD at the same time. If I use the HD file and downvert to SD will my quality be as good as the SD file? Will the time to load the HD file be worth the wait. I do not have Blueray. I just would like to shoot in HD and burn a std dvd. If it meens downverting thats fine, as long as its as good as the SD files.

[CKNewman]

I would agree with Tim and suggest that you shoot some test footage and narrate what you're doing. Shoot HD and SD test clips under decent lighting conditions in and low light conditions, and shoot fast moving objects and slower moving objects. Then edit and produce the final format needed and use your own eyes to judge. There may be additional differences due to playback deck and screen.