As per Panasonic's web pages :

1080 / 60p (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
HA (17 Mbps / VBR) [1920 x 1080]
HG (13 Mbps / VBR) [1920 x 1080]
HX (9 Mbps / VBR) [1920 x 1080]
HE (5 Mbps / VBR) [1920 x 1080]

The first mode is the highest quality = largest size.

PD10 cam handle all of them. Win 10, i7

Just one thing if you are using High definition video to create a standard definition DVD I would advise you to make a small test DVD first. Standard definition DVD footage is no where near the quality of full HD footage. You may be satisfied with it but best to test before you spend hours and hours editing.

On the other hand if you burn an AVCHD DVD you will be able to use the full HD footage but your playback will be restricted to some Blu-ray players or a computer. My youtube channel====> http://www.youtube.com/user/relate2?feature=mhsn

Record in the HA setting, but follow test suggestions above. Try producing both a short SD-DVD and a AVCHD DVD. The avchd is HD and will only play on a bluray player. Most people at least know someone with a bluray player, so you can see the quality difference. If not, try it in a store. Self Built PC - W7 Pro 64 bit w/ SP1
ASROCK 970 Extreme 3 / AMD Black X4 3.2 / ATI 6850 1 gb /
8 gb DDR3-1600 / 1394 Firewire / LG SATA-2 Bluray Burner /
Internal Drives: SATA 3 7200rpm = 1.0-tb, 640 gb, 300 gb /
Pana TM90 / Canon HV30 / Sony HC 7 / Canon M40
Epson 810 DVD-CD printer.

I understand the concept of the camera having increasing levels of quality that subsequently produce larger file sizes. What I don't understand is how these quality differences effect the final output if that output is to be standard def DVDs.

I must produce standard def DVDs because my projects are distributed to several individuals and I'm trying to be compatible for everyone in the group. Otherwise, I'd use the high def options available.

I guess my question is...how does the high def footage get "downgraded" to standard def for a DVD? Is the process analogous to taking an image with a 15-megapixel camera and then printing that image on a 300 dpi printer?

And, for the quality reduction that must occur, does PD10 need any special instructions that would improve the quality that I get in my final product, considering that I'm using the TM700?

Thanks again, guys, for all of your suggestions. Reggie

Hi Reggie,

I do what you do and distribute as DVD.

I recommend you shoot all footage as 1080p50/60. PD has a long history of stuffing up field order with interlaced material and so if you stick with progressive, you may well get better results. Also I suggest you produce a 1080p50/60 file of your finished project as a backup. It won't be long before every flat screen TV will happily play these back from USB and it is soooooo much better than DVD. Panasonic SD9, Panasonic TM700, Panasonic SD600, GoPro HD Hero.

Thanks, pjc3. Glad to find someone else with a TM700. Now I'm about to REALLY show my ignorance...

Based on your answer, I'm assuming that the HA/HG/HX/HE modes are interlaced? And the 1080p is progressive?

Finally, does the 1080p footage require significantly more computing power? I'm OK rendering the footage that I use now (HG1920), but I don't want to push my luck too far...I still crash fairly frequently.

Thanks again everyone for your help... Reggie

i and p video modes have little to do with PC number crunching. The HG mode is interlaced at only 13 Mbps, which is not an issue for any PC with 3 cores or more. Win 10, i7

Quote: I'm assuming that the HA/HG/HX/HE modes are interlaced? And the 1080p is progressive?

Correct. Interlaced format is a hangover from CRT technology and analogue transmission. Done well it is quite efficient and gives great results but it is diffucult to work with in many situations. The sooner we get rid of it the better for consumer products.

Quote:
Finally, does the 1080p footage require significantly more computing power? I'm OK rendering the footage that I use now (HG1920), but I don't want to push my luck too far...I still crash fairly frequently.

Try it. It may well slow down your navigation around the timeline. As far as rendering it will take longer but smart SVRT does apparently work for TM700. Panasonic SD9, Panasonic TM700, Panasonic SD600, GoPro HD Hero.

Thanks, HDedit & pjc3! I'm planning to try some 1080p. I'll let you guys know it pans out. Reggie