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What is the compatibility status between Dartfish and HD (High Definition) format as of today?

Today one can find 4 different types of HD camcorders that differenciates by the media used for storage but also to which format the video is encoded on these medias.

All of these camcorders as far as we know can work in two different modes:

  • HD for High Definition
  • SD for Standard Definition


These 4 types are as follows:

  1. HDV Camcorders
    This is the evolution of MiniDV camcorders into the HD world. The media used is the same: MiniDV tapes.

    - Video norm in HD: HDV MPEG-2 / Video norm in SD: DV
    - Computer connection: IEEE1394 using a FireWire cable
    - Video Streaming: Yes

  1. Hard-Disk Drive camcorders
    Video data is stored on a hard-disk that is similar to those used in laptop computers.

    - Video norm in HD: AVCHD / Video norm in SD: MPEG-2
    - Computer connection: USB 2.0
    - Video Streaming: No

  1. DVD Camcorders
    These camcorders use mini writable or rewritable DVD's as media (DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R). These discs have to go through a process called « Finalizing » before being readable by a DVD player.

    - Video norm in HD: AVCHD / Video norm in SD: DVD-Video
    - Computer connection: USB 2.0
    - Video Streaming: No

  1. Memory card Camcorders
    These devices use digital memory cards as storage.

    - Video norm in HD: AVCHD / Video norm in SD: MPEG-2
    - Computer connection: USB 2.0
    - Video Streaming: No


Dartfish compatibility with Sony HD Camcorders

HD compatibility in Dartfish software is under development and is not officially supported yet.

Sony being the only brand giving us test devices, only the compatibility with Sony camcorders is known as of today. It is important to note that other brands of HDV camcorders will probably NOT work for a live usage in Dartfish!


HDV MPEG2 Norm (HDV Camcorders)

For HDV-like camcorders, that means equipped with MiniDV tapes and after installing the software provided by Sony with the camcorder, video files can be recorded from the media to your computer hard-drive using a FireWire cable and Dartfish ImportDV or Tagging modules. It should also be possible to import live from the camcorder in these two modules.

On the other hand, it is NOT possible to work with these camcorders in InTheAction module.

Compatibility of HD captured clip is guaranteed in the following modules: Player, Analyzer, Simulcam, Stromotion and Tagging.


AVCHD Norm (DVD, HDD and Memory Card camcorders)

These AVCHD-recording devices are not – as of today – compatible with Dartfish Software. AVCHD norm is brand new and very few possibilities are offered today to insure a correct compatibility. Added to that, these cameras are not equipped with the necessary hardware to have Video Streaming – that means they will never be suitable for a live usage with Dartfish Software (live capture from DVImport or Tagging modules, or InTheAction (InTheAction HD support is NOT implemented in 4.5 anyways as said earlier. It will come in a future version.)


Important note on Standard Definition modes:

All HD camcorders on the market, as far as we know today, feature a « Standard Definition » recording mode. That means they can work with standardized norms from the previous generation of camcorders, before HD was implemented. This has the big advantage of offering a complete compatibility with Dartfish and other video softwares but this doesn't change the fact that only HDV camcorders offer the hardware possibility to stream video for live usage through the FireWire IEEE1394 port and therefore offer compatibility with InTheAction, DVImport and Tagging modules.

Beware that some non-HDV devices feature a FireWire port, but do NOT offer Live Streaming! The FireWire connector only serves a file copy purpose - just like USB.

Dartfish compatibility with JVC GZ-HD7E

We had the opportunity to test the JVC GZ-HD7E model (HDD and memory card camcorder). With this camcorder, you will have the opportunity to transfer the clips from the HDD or a memory card to your computer through the USB2.0 connection.

The video files have a proprietary .TOD extension. In order to be able to use the files in Dartfish, you will have the rename the .TOD to .MPG.

As a last recommendation, if you are interested in buying a HD camcorder, please contact our technical support department before spending any money to avoid any bad surprise!

Please follow this link to open a support ticket:

http://www.dartfish.com/support/request

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