Computer not powerful enough for HD?

[Chamber005]

Okay, so I got my HF200, shot some video, but when I uploaded it into my computer via USB, the footage is all jerky and is (obviously) missing quite a few frames.

Now, I checked the manual and the sytem requirements are:

Intel Pentium 4, 1.49 ghz

512 MB

I've got an Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.8/ ghz and 2 gigs.

But I think the problem is that these are the requirements for the SOFTWARE to work, not necessarily for HD footage to playback smoothly. For that, I can't find anything anywhere in either booklets explaining what my computer needs to be for that to work.

So, first of all, I can't afford a new computer. That's out of the question.

What are my options? Can I record in HD, then take it down to SD for editing and then bump it back up to HD when I post it online?

Or, alternatively, since this is going to be for web-based media, I could take the rough video in (say, 4 hours for each 6 minute webisode) and have the HD info from the SDHC cards put onto DVDs (the same as you would for home movies) and then bring that back and edit the footage. Because HD brought down to DVD would still be better than me just recording in SD, correct? I think SD is 480, whereas DVD is 720, right?

I've never tackled the HD arena before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eximious]

The HF200 uses AVCHD, right? Is that the 17mbps flavor? Either way, AVCHD is notorious for requiring solid computer specs to playback and edit. I don't use AVCHD often, but I think the minimum suggested specs fall in the 2Ghz+ quad-core variety. Some people with Q6600's (a quad-core processor) at stock frequencies (2.66 Ghz) still have some hiccups. Basically, there may not be a viable HD option for you without a new computer.

What editing software are you using? You might be able to drop down the playback / preview quality considerably and get usable speed. Other than that, I'm not sure if you have a lot of options.

Hopefully someone else with a HF200 can give you some other suggestions.

 

[Chamber005]

The HF200 uses AVCHD, right? Is that the 17mbps flavor? Either way, AVCHD is notorious for requiring solid computer specs to playback and edit. I don't use AVCHD often, but I think the minimum suggested specs fall in the 2Ghz+ quad-core variety. Some people with Q6600's (a quad-core processor) at stock frequencies (2.66 Ghz) still have some hiccups. Basically, there may not be a viable HD option for you without a new computer.

What editing software are you using? You might be able to drop down the playback / preview quality considerably and get usable speed. Other than that, I'm not sure if you have a lot of options.

Hopefully someone else with a HF200 can give you some other suggestions.

Yeah, I'm just converting it to MPEG4 or AVI. No way can my computer handle the raw deal. And this one is 24mbps.

I'm super excited about grabbing some footage to post online. I'm trying out its 24fps/cinema mode (recorded in 60i). Looks pretty sweet on my HDTV. Well see. Still can't believe I got it for 350. Just unreal. Timing really is everything.

 

[Chamber005]

Yeah, I'm just converting it to MPEG4 or AVI. No way can my computer handle the raw deal. And this one is 24mbps.

I'm super excited about grabbing some footage to post online. I'm trying out its 24fps/cinema mode (recorded in 60i). Looks pretty sweet on my HDTV. Well see. Still can't believe I got it for 350. Just unreal. Timing really is everything.

Oh, my --ARGH!!

So even after I convert the video to AVI or MPEG4 or even WMV the video is STILL just a bunch of jittery crap. This makes no sense. I can download Quiktime movies online (like from the DVXUSER fests) and they play just fine on my computer. Why won't the videos that *I'm*uploading play?

Is it that when I actually upload the movies parts are missing (because the computer is too slow)????

:::sigh:::

If that's really the case then the only option is to get a DVD recorder with HDMI hookup (about 90 bucks for one of those) and then burn the HD video to DVD and then just cut from there.

Unless I'm doing something incorrectly, I just don't think my computer can deal with capturing video from this camera.

I have an AMD that I use for work. Think it's a Patheon 'er whatever -- so, probably, also crapola.

Didn't really want to spend anymore money, but I think I may be out of options here....

But would I run into any options taking images from a DVD? Any computer that has a DVD player can do that, right?

 

[Jim Carswell]

Does your timeline/sequence setting match what your camera is recording/shooting? As in 24fps, 30fps, 60fps, 60i, etc.?
Jim

 

[Chamber005]

Does your timeline/sequence setting match what your camera is recording/shooting? As in 24fps, 30fps, 60fps, 60i, etc.?
Jim

Timeline/sequence setting?

Do you mean does my conversion software match it?

The software doesn't really speak to that specifically. It only shows what you're transferring the file to. For instance, if I want MPEG4, it says "Video: Frame: Same as input, Codec", if I convert it to WMV it says, "640X480"

The software that came with the camera doesn't mention anything, though I'm assuming that's all fine.

Bottom line, when I play the AVCHD footage OR if I change it to AVI or MPEG or WMV, the video is always the same (just obviously lower quality in WMV). Its all jittery and is missing, I'd guess, quite a few frames. It's like if you strung a bunch of jagged (but pretty) pictures together.

When I play it on my HDTV directly from the cam, it's fine.

So I'm thinking the problem is in my computer's ability to capture the footage at the level I'm recording it.

What are your thoughts on capturing the HD video to DVD through an HDMI hookup and then using that footage? Do you think it would look pretty good? I mean, it wouldn't be 1080, but, honestly, most people are okay watching DVD-quality stuff.