Canon DC22 Camcorder Review

by John Neely
Published on Nov 29, 2006 12:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Tour
Auto/Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio/Playback/Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons/Conclusion
Specs/Ratings


 
Compression (5.0)
The Canon DC22 uses the same compression method as other DVD camcorders – MPEG2 – and supports three video quality settings: XP, SP, and LP. These qualities correspond to three different maximum bit rates, or the degree to which video is compressed. The highest quality setting is XP, with a max bit rate of 9Mbps. SP mode has a max bit rate of 6Mbps, and LP mode has a max bit rate of 3Mbps. The term “maximum bit rate” refers to the fact that DVD camcorders record video at variable bit rates, modifying the level of compression based on the movement within a given scene. As you might suspect, higher bit rate video requires more disc space, and in XP mode a standard DVD-R or DVD-RW holds a mere 20 minutes of video, while a DVD-DL disc holds only 36 minutes. The figures for SP mode are 30 minutes DVD-R, DVD-RW and  54 minutes DVD-DL; For LP mode, 60 minutes DVD-R, DVD-RW and 108 minutes DVD-DL.
 
DVD MPEG2 video is considerably more compressed than DV video, which has a fixed bit rate of 25Mbps. This less aggressive compression is part of the reason DV video is generally higher in quality than DVD video.
 
Editing (3.0)
The Canon DC22 is a DVD camcorder, which means it has some inherent editing difficulties. As with most camcorders, the company offers some rudimentary editing software. What you may not know is that this is virtually the only software that you can use to extract footage off the DVDs. Sony and Panasonic DVD camcorders create .MOD files, which, through an awkward process, can be manually changed to .MPG files. The audio track is lost, but the file can then be imported into quality editing programs like Adobe Premiere.
 
Canon, on the other hand, creates three files for each clip, including .MOB files. These are much harder to import into editing programs, essentially limiting you to the bundled software, which includes The Digital Video Solutions Disc (with Zoom Browser as the chief program) and Roxio MyDVD. These programs offer all the basic editing Functions, but the interface is maddeningly disorganized. Also, you get precious few options for output quality, a problem if you’re just looking to get the best possible footage ready for another, better editing program.
 
If you’re seeking more editing solutions or are an experienced editor, you’re probably already aware that MiniDV tape is the most widely accessible format. Hard drive camcorders are next, but the quality is severely lessened. But the Canon DVD camcorders are problematic in this regard.


 
 


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