I sure wish I could hear the difference between a Wav file and a MP3. I really do. But even with a decent set of speakers, which I have, I can't hear it. So I guess I am a pretty typical consumer.

I can hear the difference on my main sound system when I sit down and put them both on and listen closely. I can't really distinguish between Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 though, save the increase in volume of the latter.

I'm getting my info from JVC's website.
http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/t...&feature_id=02

Here's the quote about audio:
2 XLR Audio Inputs
Professional XLR connectors are provided for each audio channel. The GY-HD100U records CD quality audio at 384Kbps in the MPEG1 Layer 2 format. Independent input level controls are provided for each channel. Audio level indicators are visible in the viewfinder and on the flip-out LCD display.

EDIT: Luis beat me to it, and I guess I can't delete a post... so, sorry for the duplicate.

And yet that's where things are now, if you want to use the latest and greatest. The Viper FilmStream requires it (or, of course, you can use a newly-introduced solid-state magazine, which records 10 minutes... sounds an awful lot like a P2 card, except it costs $59,000!) You don't *have* to use a Viper, of course... you could just use HDCAM. But the HDCAM cameras are not a Viper, so if you want the better quality, you pay the piper (by having a cable and an external recorder).

Being tethered to something is not all bad -- it's a rare shoot indeed where I won't bring DV Rack along. It's not preferable to be tethered, of course. And I'm not saying it's preferable. I'm just saying it's possible. For some workflows it will be totally appropriate. For some it isn't.

If cables to recorders are so bad, surely you'd agree that the JVC's 60P uncompressed output is then a useless feature, right? Because you'd need to be cabled to a computer and a hard disk array in order to take advantage of that, which would be far more inconvenient than just having a Firestore or an off-the-shelf laptop.

Panasonic's not trying to "claim" anything. I'm just pointing out that the firewire port supports active streaming, so if you want to record to hard disk, you can.

ProHD Audio
 

I don't wish to address the debate of which is better, however this link may or may not clarify which audio format the HD100 can record.

http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/...ohd/index.html (answer 6)

What isn't clear to me is if the 4 channels are recorded simultaneously or is 2 channel audio user selectable between PCM or MPEG-1 Layer 2?

edit: I realized that the topic or the link is addressing "what is ProHD". Thus I guess this doesn't mean that the HD100 has both or these capabilities, only that JVC may utilize either or both of these capabilities within their concept of "ProHD".

DV tape and bitrate is not the way to go for 1080p60, Sony should develop a DV-sized HDCAM SR high density tape (the consumer name and price could be disputable) and use MPEG-4 Part 10 at low compression and at either 75Mbps (60mins) or 50Mbps (90mins) (all are wild estimates). By then, Sony would be rolling out with great progressive HDV"PRO" cameras for an affordable price.

P.S: (This is an experts only question) To GOP or not to GOP? That is the big question for low compression MPEG-4 Part 10.

It was my understanding that the HD100 uses only MPEG-1 Layer II compressed audio. The PCM/uncompressed audio option was being reserved for a future extension, ProHD-EX, which would be employed on the $27,000 2/3" camera due next year.

Do you understood that the HD100 is a 720p60 camera --it captures at 60fps and it outputs vis i.LINK and analog at 720p60.

Using the judder removal filter it can carry the 60fps as 30p on tape.

That's the public line being pushed now. According to JVC Japan, a copy of both input channels are recorded as PCM into the DV track segment reserved for DV PCM audio -- which to this point has been left empty by JVC. JVC may decide not to reveal this capability until the NLE's can handle this system.

Unfortunately, in order to get 25Mbps recording -- Sony had to deviate from the DV track structure and eliminate the PCM audio area. So no PCM can be added by Sony. Would that help you understand why Sony folks are so insistent that MPEG-1 audio is just fine. They have left themselves no option.

Of course, you'll get PCM audio on their HD XDCAM for $20-$30K. And suddenly you'll hear these same Sony folks claiming MPEG-1 is for consumers and if you are a pro -- you really must buy an HD XDCAM. And, of course, they will suddenly support 24p claiming there was no need for it on a consumer "designed and built" camcorder like the FX1/Z1.

We all know how this game is played. Sony will change it's marketing story only when it can announce something as good as the HD100. Until then, like Panasonic, they'll use the internet to spread positives about what they have and imply you don't really need anything more.

They'll also make interesting announcents about cool future camcorders to keep your attention away from JVC. Panasonic's doing it now by suddenly talking-up recording to hard disks. Sony will take it's own path to grab attention away from the HD100.

Okay fellows... time to relax and take a break from this nonsense... it's pretty much through at this point.

Thread closed for now.

Later today I'm going to prune away all of the personal junk, pare it down to just the strictly technical discussion and then *maybe* re-open it. Kind of a dumb topic anyway, *of course* 720p is "real" high definition, according to the ATSC.