MiniDV vs. MicroMV

zo · January 4, 2003 9:19PM

Hello video people...

My beloved Olympus460 camera got stolen and so am in the market for a new digital camera. I was maybe thinking of either getting a CyberShot P9 that takes 4MP pics and 320x240 MPEG movies w/audio, OR get a Camcorder that does video properly and pictures as a bonus.

Last year I noticed that a new standard Sony is pushing is the MicroMV tape and system. Initially I thought that it was native 16:9 recording, etc and a whole lot more.

So, is it all that better or just stick with a MicroDV device? The costs seem pretty similar. A year has gone by and the current Sony MicroMV equiptment is at 2nd generation.

Also, fundamental question, are Sony MicroMV camcorders compatible with iMovie/FCP?

I really want to get a reaaaaly compact camera, but I sooooo want to have a camcorder again (after an 8 year hiatus).

Recommendations? Also non-Sony offerings

thanks

ZO

<a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=cL62VxtxOHy2FyVm7wK8XFR87hva4jOYAQ4=?Dep t=dcc&CatalogCategoryID=h1kKC0%2eNpa0AAADy2WQ8lSwT " target="_blank">Sony MiniDV offers</a>

<a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=cL62VxtxOHy2FyVm7wK8XFR87hva4jOYAQ4=?Dep t=dcc&CatalogCategoryID=53wKC0%2eNKD4AAADyP2U8lSwT " target="_blank">Sony MicroMV offerings</a>

[ 01-04-2003: Message edited by: ZO ]

eugene · January 5, 2003 1:34AM

Pretty much all DV camcorders out there talk to your Mac in the exact same way, so it's a safe bet the MicroMV camcorders are compatible.

razzfazz · January 5, 2003 2:26AM

[quote]Originally posted by ZO:

I was maybe thinking of either getting a CyberShot P9 that takes 4MP pics and 320x240 MPEG movies w/audio, OR get a Camcorder that does video properly and pictures as a bonus.<hr></blockquote>

If you are serious about still pix, I'd suggest not getting a DV cam. The still image quality on those always seems to be a lot worse than on dedicated still image cams.

[quote]Last year I noticed that a new standard Sony is pushing is the MicroMV tape and system. Initially I thought that it was native 16:9 recording, etc and a whole lot more.

<hr></blockquote>

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that MicroMV is basically just another physical form factor for the drive mechanism and cassette, i.e. it has smaller drives but the exact same data format as MiniDV camcorders.

Bye,

RazzFazz

aussie john · January 5, 2003 4:48AM

I dont think microMv is compatible with imovie or FCP

[ 01-05-2003: Message edited by: Aussie John ]

zo · January 5, 2003 4:57AM

Hmm, seems according to <a href="http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr_ip55html.html"; target="_blank">http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr_ip55html.html</a>;

that the MicroMV camcorders are compatible with MacOX. They like these new gen camcorders. Cool to see that you can save still images to the tape directly instead of using the memory stick.

Does anyone know if the Bluetooth functionality will work with MacOX bluetooth?

razzfazz · January 5, 2003 2:58PM

[quote]Originally posted by ZO:

Hmm, seems according to <a href="http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr_ip55html.html"; target="_blank">http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr_ip55html.html</a>;

that the MicroMV camcorders are compatible with MacOX. They like these new gen camcorders. Cool to see that you can save still images to the tape directly instead of using the memory stick.

<hr></blockquote>

I think all DV cams can do that. You get 5 seconds of audio along with your picture too

. Still, having your stills on a separate card is usually much more convenient, as finding a 5-second-clip on a 60-minute-tape is kind of a pain.

Bye,

RazzFazz

hmurchison · January 5, 2003 5:57PM

Avoid MicroMV. It's yet another proprietary format fueled by Sony's desire to own everything and miniturize everything.

<a href="http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/ip220-review/index.shtml"; target="_blank">Jeff Kellers Review of the DCR-IP220 not as Mac Friendly as we'd like</a>

[quote] MICROMV video quality noticeably worse than MiniDV <hr></blockquote>

Not good.

[quote]A cheap digital camera still takes better stills than this $2000 camcorder <hr></blockquote>

Even worse.

No thanks Sony. Thanks for playing. Buh Bye.

matsu · January 5, 2003 10:46PM

MicroMV is not just miniaturized MiniDV, it stores data as MPEG2 and only uses about half the bit rate of MiniDV. Incedentally a DVD also uses a lower bit rate than MiniDV, but when studios author a disc they work from excellent raw footage and the very best encoders, neither of which will be present in the real time encoders of a consumer camera.

bodhi · January 5, 2003 11:55PM

I agree. Stay away from MicroMV. stick with Mini-DV

cmdrspidey · January 7, 2003 2:13PM

Anyone know the compatibility of digital 8 and Apple? I am planning on taking my Sony TRV130 to an Apple store to check, but just thought I'd ask here to get a faster response. Thanks.

mr. macintosh · January 7, 2003 7:00PM

Yes, stay with Mini DV, Micro is just not proven and its quality is less than that of Mini DV.

zo · January 8, 2003 11:49AM

thanks for all the replies. I'll stay away from it for now I guess.

BTW, as mentioned above, whats the best way to transfer Hi8 to a Mac? I have a dozen or so tapes that I want to transfer ino DVD and do a little editing with. I think iMovie3 will be suffient along with iDVD 3, but as I may want to do color correction and whatnot; FCP Express may be better.

Anyway, for importing... what do I do?

danke

MiniDV vs. MicroMV

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