I am interested in getting the HF10 as a handy point and shoot camera. It seems to perform exceptionally well for its size. I have a few questions and I appreciate that you let me know your comments if you have the answer.



1) Is there a PAL and NTSC version for the HF10? If yes, will there be no 30p like the HV30? HV30 has 30p for the NTSC format only.

2) Assuming all other things being equal, HF10 with a resolution of 1920X1080 should look better when compared to HDV with only 1440x1080

3) Can you reduce the HF10’s recording resolution to 1440X1080 to extend the recording time?

4) With the HV30/20 test report, when the camera is switch to 24p, the picture quality improves dramatically in low-light environment. Is this the same for the HF10? If so, in low-light environment, with HF10 at 24p should look better than HV30 at normal frame rate (60i? not sure what this is), right?

5) Is there any edit function in the HF10? I want to know if HF10 allows you to perform some simple editing function like cut and join a clip without creating a separate file.

6) Archiving – what is your preferred method of archiving your video files? How much AVCHD video at HF10’s full resolution can be stored on a standard DVD? My guess it is about 20min so you need to have 2 DVDs for each hour of AVCHD video. Until blue-ray becomes more affordable, I don’t think storing AVCHD in DVD is a good idea.
Here is what I will do. I will use my HF10 to capture video at 1920x1080. I have a Sony HC3 (HDV 1440x1080) which can be used as a tape deck. Using a HDMI cable, can I transfer the video from HF10 at 1920x1080 to HC3 and record it at 1440x1080? If this works, then this is what I prefer but I have to sacrifice loosing some video quality. If HDMI cable doesn’t allow me to do this, then I will have to rely on editing software to down convert it to 1440x1080 for my HC3 to record it as tape.

The PAL version of the HF100 and HF10 has 25P and 50i options.

The NTSC version has 24p, 30p and 60i

I suggest you get the camcorder for the location you live in. That is just my opinion.

All things are not equal. Don't try that type of comparision. Look at valid test results and sample videos.

HDV is recorded in what is called anamorphic widescreen 1440 x 1080 and displayed 1920 x 1080. The technology is anamorphic pixels with a Pixel Aspect Ratio of 1.333:1.

Explained differently, it is seen as 1920 x 1080 squeezed to 1440 x 1080 then unsqeezed to 1920 x 1080 when viewed on a TV. Same principal that is used on standard "widescreen", 16:9 TV

There are four recording modes which affect the recording times.

At 24P low light sensitivity increases because a slower shutter can be used. Again, don't start assuming performance based on different camcorders.

I do not recall seeing any in the manual. I could have missed it

I use tape based camcorders. I keep the tape. I make backups on external hard disk drives. I do not trust DVD's for archive.

The HV10 records in AVCHD, not in HDV. Sounds like you are trying t do a lot of extra work with some extra complications.

Rich

__________________
FireWire Survey

PAL and NTSC are analog standards, this is a digital camera. 24p and 30p are for 60 Hz version, 25p is for 50 Hz version.
Not necessarily. Most HD cameras produce about 600 lw/ph regardless of frame size in pixels.
17 Mbps mode is 1920x1080, 12 Mbps and lower bitrate modes are 1440x1080, just as you wish.
Have you read a review on this site?
Don't know.
No.
I backup a complete 4GB card onto a DVD. Easy backup is the reason I don't use larger cards.
You don't need to guess, you can calculate. Maximum bitrate is 17 Mbit/s.
20 mins per disk make two disks to store one hour? Hmm, this is some interesting math of yours. In fact one disk stores a little over half an hour.
To each his own.
This will not work.
To each his own.

I don't trust DVD's either. So I keep copy of DVD's on my hard-drives and make every couple of years backup of most important DVD's.

But I also found this great link (thanks to Spocko) that explains how to choose best archival DVD's:

http://adterrasperaspera.com/blog/2...-archival-media

I bought a few Taiyo Yuden DVD+R and in theory they should last at least several decades (I store them in a dark/dry place).