Really need help about my camcorder that records to MPEG2 files.?

Question

This should be an easy question for your video buffs, so here it is...

I bought a HDD camcorder (Everio GZ-MG330) that records to its internal drive in MPEG2 format. After trying to edit these files in Adobe Premiere Pro, I saw many artifacts that were unsatisfactory. Later, I learned that this was because MPEG2 is a poor choice to edit with (due its compression algorithm).

Since I like to edit my videos (who doesn't), this is a problem. However, the software that came with my camcorder can convert the MPEG2 files to DV AVI, with no artifacts inside Premiere.

But what I really want to know is... if I want the DV format to edit with, should I return this camera and get one that records to DV? If I'm not mistaken, aren't I losing picture quality because of the integrated MPEG2 encoder?

I really like this camcorders design, though. How much better picture quality would I get if I had a camcorder that totally did away with MPEG2?

Thank you SO much!!!

Answer 1

As it has been explained to me, video data compression = video data loss = reduced video quality.

So the corollary is that if you start with the least amount of compression going into editing, you will be able to control the amount of compression applied in later steps downstream.

Since DV and HDV (used by miniDV tape storage and Firestore external drives) compress the least, they will continue to provide best available video capture quality.

Answer 2

It's not that easy - how do you quantify video quality!?  I've asked this sort of question of an ex BBC techie friend, and his reply is always "try it and see if you can tell the difference".  It's probably fair to say that if you spent the same money on a MiniDV format camcorder you'd be able to tell the difference - only you can decide if that video superiority outweighs the Everio's positive features.  

I'm inclined to think that by the time you've converted your MPEG-2 to DV the honeymoon will be over, but it's your call.

wrt not re-encoding MPEG-2 when you're editing - watch some professional video and notice how long the clips are.  You'll find that they're rarely longer than 2 seconds.  Given that the Group of Pictures (gop) length of typical MPEG-2 is about half a second, that means that all your footage is going to be  re-encoded.  OK, most amateurs don't cut that often, but it's still going to be a considerable overhead / potential loss of quality.

Answer 3

Here's a relevant discussion thread about working with the videos from the JVC Everio HDD camcorders:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t124055...

You can get good results if you use a video editor that does not re-encode (further compress) the mpeg2 video.