HV30 vs. SR11 - 60i to 24p?

Question

I'm new to this so I've been reading about both cameras online and am having a difficult time choosing. I really want to buy the SR11 but feel like (for film purposes) the HV30's cinema mode at 24p is important.

My question is: is there any way to convert Sony's 60i to 24p with any kind of editing software? If so, will it result in a loss of quality?

I want a versatile camera that can also provide great still shots. Which camera provides better stills?

Answer 1

it is a moot point, whether you shoot originally in 24p or convert, you need to realize that 24p has the absolute worst motion resolution of any video format.  If you combine that with MPEG2 compression which makes the temporal (motion) resolution even worse by interpolating 80% of the frames then you see there is a problem in originating with either camera.  However since you are more interested in stills, then perhaps your videos will be mostly of still objects too.

Answer 2

If you really really want high quality 24p movie, go for the cam which can record it. You can never achieve the quality of direct recording by any conversion. Because even as the first answerer said, it is relatively easy to convert with more than one software

- here is very interesting comparison of 3 softwares with a lot of explanation - go and have a look:

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/60i/

there will simply always be SOME quality loss. That is inevitable and it is given by the physics of creating and blending of those moving half-frames into full frame.

So the question is whether "this amount" of quality loss is acceptable for you or not.

Answer 3

Absolutely.

Sony Creative Software makes it easier for you to convert it. It provides good and easy way to convert 60i to 24p without any loss of quality. It can convert all frame rates to any other frame rates. This software is called Sony Vegas and the latest version that has released is 8. It also lets you to post your production directly on BD and many more for film purposes!

And for Still Shots. Canon is the pioneer in this case and I think it's good for you if you don't have problem in money!