Which Video format advice please

[Timbobaggins]

Hi,
I have just bought the Northern Diver UW Video camera.

It shoots video in the following format
1280X720 (HD)
720X480 (D1)
352X288 (CIF)

It takes 1GB 2GB and 4GB SD Cards.

I have 2X 1GB and 2X 2GB SD cards to take with me on my trip to South Africa next week.

I do not have a HD television at home and tend to download video clips and photo's to my laptop.

So my question is what format would be best and how much footage can i expect on each SD card.

I will be diving Aliwal Shaol so depths of up to 30 M and doing cage diving with great whites and also a game reserve.

Many thanks

Tim B

[Cussy]

This is just my own opinion, but shoot at the highest resolution. If you want to make it smaller for TV then you can do. If in the future you get a HDTV then you can take full advantage of the extra resolution.

I don't know how much will fit on the SD cards, but I would suggest getting a couple of 4GB cards. My Memory have them for about £25 quid each. You could pick them up at Duty Free, but you might find online is cheaper. Keep the smaller cards as reserve and if you are running out of space then down the resolution.

Aliwal Shoal is quite a place. Make sure you video leaving the shore (once you've done it you'll know what I mean, but it's a great RHIB ride). I'd recommend the two wrecks (Nebo and Produce) as well as shark trips. When I was there we had humpbacks, so that will take a bit of filming. Oh yes, and on safari you're likely to see loads in the hour or so after sunrise and before sunset and everything hides during the day, so bare that in mind. Make sure you're on a trip that takes that into account.

HTH and enjoy,
Rob

[Timbobaggins]

Cussy thanks.
I know this sounds thick, but if i shoot in HD can i view on non HD TV/Computer.

[Cussy]

Just looked at the manual on the ndiver website and I'm not sure, I think yes. Try it, just film something then connect it to your TV and see if it looks ok. Once downloaded to your PC you can make up your film in full HD and then save it in both HD and normal. I used a package called Pure Motion Edit Studio when I editted my topside video, but as the ex-wife got custody of the video camera I don't do video anymore.
Rob

PS manual suggests you'll get 2 hours of video of HD on a 4GB card.

[Timbobaggins]

Cussy, thanks

Tim B

[PW1664]

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