Shouldn't this camera be able to record 1080p? If it can truly record 1080i then it has a CCD resolution of 1920x1080. To record 1080i instead of 1080p the camera would need to actively throw away information.
Jason, it's not just a matter of resolution. The fact that it has 1920 pixels across the horizontal doesn't make it any more or less capable of 1080p than a 1080x1440 CCD (which usually do 1080i also, not 1080p). The main limitation is bandwidth, or more specifically, throughput of data. 1080i is 1080x1920 at 30 frames per second, with alternating fields of 540x1920 at 60 fields per second. 1080p is 1080x1920 full frames, at 60 frames per second, which is twice the bandwidth of 1080i (assuming the same compression rates). When writing to storage media (be it HDV tape, mini-dvd, or some solid-state memory card) the data rate is very much the limiting factor. Now, it's entirely possible that this camera has a "progressive mode" at 1080p/30 or (more likely) 1080p/24, but both of these modes will look less smooth than 1080i.
The way I see it, Panasonic won't implement 24p on these little cams because it's a key feature that keeps their higher end cameras attractive. Some expect to see a 24p AVCHD camera take shape in a DVX-100 style body that will be announced at NAB. However, that camera will likely be at least 2 times more expensive than these cameras.
Has anyone had compatability problems with the files the Panasonic camera puts out. They provided a rudimentary editing program with it that only runs with Windows machines but I want to use the HD files with Final Cut Pro on a Macbook. I havn't had any luck with Apple thusfar but to be fair, it has only been a few days. I don't think Microsoft would have been any more responsive to what amounts to an esoteric need, even if one of the big boys makes the camera. Computer and software vendors like Apple and Microsoft are not responsible for hardware incompatabilities but it does no good when all vendors get in a circle and point fingers at eachother either. This leaves any of their common customers high and dry. I am appealing for help from anyone with experience in this area for just this reason.
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Shouldn't this camera be able to record 1080p? If it can truly record 1080i then it has a CCD resolution of 1920x1080. To record 1080i instead of 1080p the camera would need to actively throw away information.
Jason, it's not just a matter of resolution. The fact that it has 1920 pixels across the horizontal doesn't make it any more or less capable of 1080p than a 1080x1440 CCD (which usually do 1080i also, not 1080p). The main limitation is bandwidth, or more specifically, throughput of data. 1080i is 1080x1920 at 30 frames per second, with alternating fields of 540x1920 at 60 fields per second. 1080p is 1080x1920 full frames, at 60 frames per second, which is twice the bandwidth of 1080i (assuming the same compression rates). When writing to storage media (be it HDV tape, mini-dvd, or some solid-state memory card) the data rate is very much the limiting factor. Now, it's entirely possible that this camera has a "progressive mode" at 1080p/30 or (more likely) 1080p/24, but both of these modes will look less smooth than 1080i.
The way I see it, Panasonic won't implement 24p on these little cams because it's a key feature that keeps their higher end cameras attractive.
Some expect to see a 24p AVCHD camera take shape in a DVX-100 style body that will be announced at NAB. However, that camera will likely be at least 2 times more expensive than these cameras.
Has anyone had compatability problems with the files the Panasonic camera puts out. They provided a rudimentary editing program with it that only runs with Windows machines but I want to use the HD files with Final Cut Pro on a Macbook. I havn't had any luck with Apple thusfar but to be fair, it has only been a few days. I don't think Microsoft would have been any more responsive to what amounts to an esoteric need, even if one of the big boys makes the camera.
Computer and software vendors like Apple and Microsoft are not responsible for hardware incompatabilities but it does no good when all vendors get in a circle and point fingers at eachother either. This leaves any of their common customers high and dry. I am appealing for help from anyone with experience in this area for just this reason.