Jerry: Panasonic VDR-M30 camcorder MPEG analysis

[Dr Mordrid]

Here are those stream properties Jerry;

Stream type: MPEG-2 MP@ML VBR
Resolution: 704x480 (ATSC Table 3 D1)
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Frame rate: 29.97
Nominal bitrate: 8800 kbit/Sec
GOP: IBBPBBPBBPBBPBB (15 GOP)
OpenGOP: Yes
Sequence header: Yes
VBV buffer size: 112
Constrained parameter flag: No
Chroma format: 4:2:0
DCT precision: 10
DCT type: Field
Picture structure: Frame
Field order: Upper
Quantization scale: Nonlinear
Scan type: ZigZag
Frame type: Interlaced

I'm rather suprised that it's using ATSC Table 3 D1 (704x480) instead of the usual 720x480, but that doesn't matter really since the extra pixels in 720 wide are all in the overscan zone.

Also: these VBR's are unusual in that the graph shows very little variation save for the last video where it varies by about 15%.

That said the overall quality is VERY high.

Dr. Mordrid

[wkulecz]

How editable is it? Cut, crossfade or fade to black, add simple titles/credits. Does smart render and real-time preview work?

--wally.

[Jerry Jones]

1. Cut?

Yes

2. Crossfade?

Yes

3. Fade to black?

Yes

4. Add titles/credits?

Yes

5. Smart Render?

Yes

6. Real time preview?

Yes (Instant Playback)

I just tested some more today.

Some acquaintances bought a Panasonic DMR-E80 with the 80gb hard drive.

They wanted to know if they could record a local newscast and then use Ulead software to extract the raw MPEG to their computer's hard drive for editing.

They wanted to know if there would be any copy protection scheme.

All I know is this -

I was successful using Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 and Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7 to extract the MPEG using the DVD-VR capture plug-in.

In addition, I was able to edit the MPEG and then use Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 LE to burn the edited video to disc.

Here was an embarrassing flub on my part, however:

The editing was S-L-O-W until I remembered that my Norton Virus program was on.

I disabled the virus program and the editing was snappy.

But no high quality preview via Firewire is possible.

You must rely on the INSTANT PLAY feature if you're using a DV camcorder as a bridge between computer and external TV monitor.

I do not have a Matrox card.

So I am most curious to know whether Doc can send a high quality preview out to his external TV set using his Matrox card.

Yes?

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

No problem with either Parhelia and P-750. Standard or instant playback will work and the quality is great. Those colors are really saturated.

The only difference seems to be that with standard it takes about 20 seconds to render before playback. Got the right bitrates, but still it takes about 20 seconds....maybe the audio?

Dr. Mordrid

[paulw]

It would be interesting Jerry to do a side by side shoot with a good single CCD DV cam and the M30 camcoder, Load into MSPRO and edit the same then create a DVD and see how they compare..

[Jerry Jones]

I don't think Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7 is really rendering, Doc.

I suspect it needs :20 seconds or so is to *copy* an additional set of high quality preview files to facilitate playback.

(I could be mistaken - maybe the MPEG audio makes this necessary.)

This doesn't seem to be necessary where DV .avi files are concerned.

Also, it's easy to mis-match audio with these Panasonic files.

Make certain your MPEG Audio settings are at 48 and not 44khz.

That's amazing news about your Matrox cards.

Which one of those two cards do you like best, Doc?

Does one card have any particular advantages over the other?

Thanks,

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

I cleared out the preview files folder and did another standard preview, which of course rendered.

On checking the preview files folder after the render I found 12 MPEG files!!

6 were MPEG video with the same stream properties as their originals and the project settings.

6 were MPEG audio, again with the same stream properties as their originals and the project settings.

On checking the Advanced MPEG settings the GOP properties also match that of the files, so I started playing with the Advanced settings to see if I could get a total matchup but to no avail.

Weird.....

Dr. Mordrid

[Jerry Jones]

That is odd.

In my testing, which I've done some more of today, I can cut a clip, insert a transition, and the Smart Render technology is clearly working for me...

...the vertical timeline indicator races to the transition where it slows to render and then races through the remainder...

...just like Mini DV.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net