miniDV vs. HDD & flash
 

I am a amateur video editor. I need to replace my consumer quality miniDV camcorder.

Is it true that miniDV is better quality than HDD or flash because miniDV makes large .avi files while HDD and flash are compressed?

TIA
Curt

If you are talking about standard definition only, then yes, miniDV will be superior because it uses a better compression type. Most standard definition HDD or flash camcorders use mpeg2 with a maximum bitrate of about 9Mbps compared to DV's 25Mbps.

Things are different in the HD world, however, because HDV cameras use mpeg2 to fit the HD images into the same 25Mbps bandwidth used with miniDV tapes. Flash and HDD based cameras use AVCHD, which is a more efficient compression scheme. I can't speak from personal experience because i have never used AVCHD, but many people will tell you that AVCHD will produce a better HD image when comparable bitrates are used. In the end, the differnces may be so small that it will come down to your personal decisions about workflow and ergonomics of each individual camera.

In a word, NO, except perhaps with SD, which I haven't touched for a couple years...

It's ALL compressed, just a matter of the compression scheme/algorithm and what the 1's and 0's are saved on. AND of course the camera... HDV is slightly more mature, but has improved over time, AVCHD is still growing up, but quality can be plenty good for most purposes. Either will blow you away if you're still shooting a consumer SD camera...

Peruse the parts of DVinfo about the compact video cameras available, and you'll have plenty of GREAT choices!