Can only get 720x480 from HDR-HC7! at DVinfo.net

Rafael Campana · February 14th, 2010, 04:20 PM

Hello,

I've had a HDR-HC7 for quite a while, but haven't had the time to pull the videos off the tapes. Now that I'm going through them, I noticed that windows (right clicking on the produced file and selecting properties) reports that the resolution of the is 720x480 when using Windows Live Movie Maker, but all the settings are correctly set to record and to play 1080i. The format Windows Live Movie Maker saves it as, is .dvr-ms.

Doing the same with Sony Vegas Platinum gives me the M2T file and Vegas (in the app) reports that it is 1440x1080x12. Right clicking on the .m2t file doesn't give you the resolution of the video.

When running both files through Windows Media player (at 100%), it looks like 720x480.

Who's to trust? What's the best/easiest way to pull off the videos off the camera and what is the recommended format?

I'm using:
Tapes: MiniDV Panasonic
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Software: Windows Live Movie Maker & Sony Vegas Platinum 9.0b
Connection: 1394

Thank you

John Wiley · February 14th, 2010, 10:59 PM

What program are you using to capture with?

I'd stay away from Windows Movie Maker, especially for capturing, as it likes to using proprietry microsoft formats (I've never even heard of.dvr-ms??).

I've always used the freeware program HDVsplit which I prefer over capturing in Vegas.

Also double check you've got everything set right on the cam. It needs to be set to playback in HDV as well as setting the output of the firewire connection to HDV.

You can check the properties of a clip by right clicking them in the explorer in Vegas, and this will tell you everythinng you need to know about your caputred clips.

Rafael Campana · February 15th, 2010, 01:52 AM

Hi John,

I'm using both Live Movie Maker and also Vegas Platinum.
You can read all about the DVR-MS format from Wikipedia

I'll try HDVsplit to see what resolution it comes out to be.

I've tripled check the settings on the camera for both recording and playing back and they're set to be the same. As I mentioned earlier, Vegas reports 1440x1080 from its capture, and Live Movie Maker says 720x480 (480p). However, when I play both through Windows Media Player (at 100% of its size) they both come up the same size on the screen and not even close to the full size of my PC screen which is 1680x1050.

Thanks,

Rafael Campana · February 20th, 2010, 02:18 PM

I've tried HDVSplit, and have gotten similar results as with Vegas Platinum.

When playing the .m2t file produced, it shows in Windows Media Player with a size of about 720x480. When I imported the file produced by HDVSplit in Vegas Platinum, it reports that it is of resolution: 1440x1080x12 @ 29.97 fps.

I've double check that the camera settings record and play HDV, and also tried on a different Win7 64-bit machine, and the same results....

No one else has similar problems? I can't believe that it is only me.

thanks

Gene Gajewski · February 20th, 2010, 03:51 PM

If you're capturing to an M2T file, that file is indeed HDV 1440x1080 as it should be. But I noticed you state have a 1680x1050 monitor. Are you aware that HDV will be displayed letterboxed on that monitor? The reason is that HDV has an aspect ratio of 16:9, but your monitor is 16:10. Also, widescreen DV (720x480) also has the same 16:9 aspect ratio as HDV.

Another point, were you to view identical HDV and DV widescreen clips fullscreen, they both would take up the same screen area. The only difference is that HDV will be dramatically sharper and more detailed.

Jeff Pulera · February 20th, 2010, 04:23 PM

In the camera menu settings (in VTR mode), be sure that "i.Link Convert" is set to OFF, by default it is typically set to convert HDV to DV on 1394 output

Jeff Pulera

Adam Gold · February 20th, 2010, 04:29 PM

The default setting is OFF, but it certainly could have gotten switched at some point. But if Vegas is reading his footage as 1080 (and it's an m2t file), then that isn't the issue.

It's likely mostly an MS issue, as neither WMM (any version) or WMP handle HDV well. And it's sort of moot as you wouldn't want to use either of these for HDV anyhow (DV is fine, though). And because the monitor can't handle 1080 HDV, the player is likely rescaling.

You really need the right tools for the job. You can try to make toast in a microwave or bang in a nail with a screwdriver, but it rarely works out well.

Rafael Campana · February 21st, 2010, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the info. It looks like WMP is not to trust with HDV.

I downloaded/ran Media Player Classic, and at 100% it shows at the expected resolution.

Sorry for the false alarm and confusion.

February 14th, 2010, 04:20 PM	#1
Rafael Campana Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4	Can only get 720x480 from HDR-HC7! Hello, I've had a HDR-HC7 for quite a while, but haven't had the time to pull the videos off the tapes. Now that I'm going through them, I noticed that windows (right clicking on the produced file and selecting properties) reports that the resolution of the is 720x480 when using Windows Live Movie Maker, but all the settings are correctly set to record and to play 1080i. The format Windows Live Movie Maker saves it as, is .dvr-ms. Doing the same with Sony Vegas Platinum gives me the M2T file and Vegas (in the app) reports that it is 1440x1080x12. Right clicking on the .m2t file doesn't give you the resolution of the video. When running both files through Windows Media player (at 100%), it looks like 720x480. Who's to trust? What's the best/easiest way to pull off the videos off the camera and what is the recommended format? I'm using: Tapes: MiniDV Panasonic OS: Windows 7 64-bit Software: Windows Live Movie Maker & Sony Vegas Platinum 9.0b Connection: 1394 Thank you

February 20th, 2010, 04:23 PM	#6
Jeff Pulera Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 691	In the camera menu settings (in VTR mode), be sure that "i.Link Convert" is set to OFF, by default it is typically set to convert HDV to DV on 1394 output Jeff Pulera __________________ Jeff Pulera Safe Harbor Computers

February 20th, 2010, 04:29 PM	#7
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	The default setting is OFF, but it certainly could have gotten switched at some point. But if Vegas is reading his footage as 1080 (and it's an m2t file), then that isn't the issue. It's likely mostly an MS issue, as neither WMM (any version) or WMP handle HDV well. And it's sort of moot as you wouldn't want to use either of these for HDV anyhow (DV is fine, though). And because the monitor can't handle 1080 HDV, the player is likely rescaling. You really need the right tools for the job. You can try to make toast in a microwave or bang in a nail with a screwdriver, but it rarely works out well. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

February 14th, 2010, 10:59 PM	#2
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	What program are you using to capture with? I'd stay away from Windows Movie Maker, especially for capturing, as it likes to using proprietry microsoft formats (I've never even heard of.dvr-ms??). I've always used the freeware program HDVsplit which I prefer over capturing in Vegas. Also double check you've got everything set right on the cam. It needs to be set to playback in HDV as well as setting the output of the firewire connection to HDV. You can check the properties of a clip by right clicking them in the explorer in Vegas, and this will tell you everythinng you need to know about your caputred clips.

February 15th, 2010, 01:52 AM	#3
Rafael Campana Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4	Hi John, I'm using both Live Movie Maker and also Vegas Platinum. You can read all about the DVR-MS format from Wikipedia I'll try HDVsplit to see what resolution it comes out to be. I've tripled check the settings on the camera for both recording and playing back and they're set to be the same. As I mentioned earlier, Vegas reports 1440x1080 from its capture, and Live Movie Maker says 720x480 (480p). However, when I play both through Windows Media Player (at 100% of its size) they both come up the same size on the screen and not even close to the full size of my PC screen which is 1680x1050. Thanks,

February 20th, 2010, 02:18 PM	#4
Rafael Campana Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4	I've tried HDVSplit, and have gotten similar results as with Vegas Platinum. When playing the .m2t file produced, it shows in Windows Media Player with a size of about 720x480. When I imported the file produced by HDVSplit in Vegas Platinum, it reports that it is of resolution: 1440x1080x12 @ 29.97 fps. I've double check that the camera settings record and play HDV, and also tried on a different Win7 64-bit machine, and the same results.... No one else has similar problems? I can't believe that it is only me. thanks

February 20th, 2010, 03:51 PM	#5
Gene Gajewski Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edgewood, NM Posts: 162	If you're capturing to an M2T file, that file is indeed HDV 1440x1080 as it should be. But I noticed you state have a 1680x1050 monitor. Are you aware that HDV will be displayed letterboxed on that monitor? The reason is that HDV has an aspect ratio of 16:9, but your monitor is 16:10. Also, widescreen DV (720x480) also has the same 16:9 aspect ratio as HDV. Another point, were you to view identical HDV and DV widescreen clips fullscreen, they both would take up the same screen area. The only difference is that HDV will be dramatically sharper and more detailed.

February 21st, 2010, 03:09 PM	#8
Rafael Campana Tourist Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4	Thanks for the info. It looks like WMP is not to trust with HDV. I downloaded/ran Media Player Classic, and at 100% it shows at the expected resolution. Sorry for the false alarm and confusion.