Just bought a JVC100 - here's why

[CineAlta]

Depends on what you mean by superior. I think it records quite nicely.

I guess the difference would be analogous to listening to a CD, or an MP3, on a nice stereo system. I can definitely hear a difference. MP3 is great for a walkman-type device, or computer speakers, but put it on a stereo and, IMO, it sounds harsh and only an approximation of the original source material.

But like you say, if you're doing VO or overdubs, it isn't a factor. Intimate dialogue or nature sounds, music etc, may suffer though. It just seems like a compromise to shoot a beautiful picture in HD, and have MPEG-compressed sound. IMO, good audio is more important to audiences than a stunning picture.

Anyway, if it works for you that's great.

 

[CineAlta]

The camera records BOTH Mpeg audio and PCM simultaneously to the tape

Are you absolutely positive that it also records PCM in HDV mode? I was under the impression that when recording HDV, it can only encode MPEG-2 audio (because of the data throughput limitations). I had heard that when recording SD on DV, it can record both PCM and MPEG-2 simultaneously (but only on one channel). At least that's what I understood from the articles I had read, but I could be mistaken as I've never used the camera.

 

[stephenlnoe]

When recording HDV it records Mpeg audio as well as PCM. Now, how do you get at the PCM audio? You'll need to capture it. Put the camera in DV mode and capture the PCM audio that was simultaneously recorded when you were shooting HDV.