Bad quality from Mini DV camcorder

Bob1432

Newbie Joined: Jun 04, 2010 14:43 Messages: 11 Offline

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Jun 04, 2010 14:47

I always thought the quality from these Mini DV camcorders was supposed to be pretty good, even better than the old VHS camcorders...that's why I bought one, a Sony MiniDV Handycam to be exact, because a high definition camcorder was out of my price range. But I am severely dissapointed in the quality at playback on my computer. I selected the DVD HQ quality for both encoding and the final production of the video, but on playback it still looks bad....grainy/pixalated. I am using Maxell MiniDV tapes. Is this a problem with the camera, something I'm doing wrong in the software, or is this possibly the computer monitor? I have a flat screen monitor, but it's not a high def display or anything. Thanks.

Bob1432

Newbie Joined: Jun 04, 2010 14:43 Messages: 11 Offline

Jun 04, 2010 18:26

My camcorder is set in SP mode, which I believe from what I can tell is the best quality setting. I had the video recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio.

My computer is just using the motherboard's graphic processor....my new computer which should be done soon will have a Radeon 4890 in it.

Encoding used a mode called DVD HQ (high quality). When I outputted the video, I did MPEG 2, DVD HQ quality....although there were options for 720 and 1080i output...however I didn't figure I should choose this since the original video wasn't recorded in high def.

I should note I just watched the DVD on my CRT television, and the picture is quite good....but watching on my LCD computer monitor is noticeably more pixalized looking. Should I just assume this is either a problem with viewing it on an LCD monitor, or the fact I don't have a good dedicated graphics card, or a combination of both?

James Dotson

Senior Contributor Location: Tennessee Joined: Aug 24, 2009 20:40 Messages: 3066 Offline

Jun 04, 2010 18:42

My sister has a Sony HandyCam with 8mm tape, and I have a Canon MiniDV. Both have good quality - for 480i. I have found that when I watch full screen on my 1080 HD monitor there is a noticeable reduction in quality, so I guess it just depends on how bad yours is as to whether or not it is normal. It is also much, much worse when I record at night. How does it look at normal size, not full screen?

That said, I have watched upscaled DVD's on a 720p TV that looked great. Can you post a screenshot? __________________________________
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James W

Senior Contributor Location: Lakeland, FL USA Joined: Aug 18, 2008 10:36 Messages: 911 Offline

Jun 04, 2010 18:49

Keep in mind that you flat panel LCD has a set native resolution. If you play anything that does not match the set resolution the screen will have to compensate which may lead to distortion and image artifacts. I would expect a CRT to look better for 480i video. Q9300 2.5 GHz
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