Canon DC50 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on May 28, 2007 12:27 PM
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Compression (4.0)
The Canon DC50 uses standard MPEG-2 compression to record standard definition video to 3.5” DVD at three quality settings: XP, SP, and LP. These qualities correspond to the maximum bit rate at each setting, with XP the highest-quality and least compressed recording option at about 9Mbps. SP mode is slightly lower in quality with a higher level of compression, at 6Mbps, and LP records at about 3Mbps.
Like the majority of DVD camcorders, the DC50 employs VBR, or variable bit rate encoding. VBR is an encoding method that adjusts the level of compression used at any given time based on the complexity of information in the frame. Lots of motion and a complex composition will result in less compression as the camcorder’s processor attempts to maintain picture quality. When the composition is simpler, the camcorder can use higher compression levels without losing apparent image quality. However, VBR compression does mean the actual recording time will vary somewhat from disc to disc. In XP mode, a single-layer DVD-RW or DVD-R will hold about 20 minutes of video while a dual-layer DVD-R DL will hold about 36 minutes. The figures for SP mode are 30 minutes single-layer/54 minutes dual layer, and for LP 60 minutes single-layer/108 minutes dual-layer.
MPEG-2 produces much more compressed video than MiniDV, which has a bit rate nearly three-times the max for DVD camcorders of 25Mbps. This means DV camcorder perform better, on average than DVD camcorders. At the high-end, camcorders like the DC50 have approached DV compression in terms of quality in recent years thanks to good imaging systems.
Media (4.5)
The Canon DC50 is compatible with standard 8cm single-layer DVD-R and DVD-RW discs and dual-layer DVD-R DL discs. Single layer discs have been around for some time, and they are inexpensive and readily available. Dual-layer discs were introduced in mid-2006 and nearly doubled the recording time possible on each disc (from 20 to 36 minutes in XP mode). They are more expensive than single-layer discs and a little harder to find – and buy in bulk.
Single-layer DVDs also assure the widest compatibility with home DVD players, though dual-layer (DL) discs can be played on many newer players. Compatibility with home players is indeed the biggest draw for many consumers to DVD camcorders, so if you do plan on making use of DVD-R DL discs, you should check up on your player’s specifications.
Editing (5.0)
The Canon DC50 includes basic Windows-only software that allows you to transfer footage and imager to a PC and perform rudimentary video editing. We found this footage to be unusually difficult to work with, however. This may stem in part from the way the DC50 creates clips. While DVD camcorders from Sony and Panasonic create a single .MOD file for each video clip, this Canon uses a DVD-style file structure that includes three files for each video clip: a .BUP file, a .IFO file, and the master .VOB file.
The Canon files can be more difficult to work with than the single files created by other DVD camcorders and may require time-consuming hacks to get them into your favorite NLE (non-linear editing program). The bundled software includes Roxio’s MyDVD for Canon (editing, archiving, and footage transfer) and a Digital Video Solutions Disc (solutions for pre-Windows XP computers). MyDVD for Canon is a basic NLE that will offer many users all the functionality they need.
If you are an experienced video editor and use a more robust NLE like Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, or Avid DV Xpress, you can work with DC50 material, but it will need to spend some time conforming the footage to the specifications of your platform/NLE combination.
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