Topic: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 - Feedback for HD Video

[Napo]

I 'd like to buy the Lumix in the States to avoid vidoe limitiation in the European version.

My question: is the battery charger inlcuded in the package capable to handle 100-240 V and 50-60 HZ? ( I would guess yes considering the 'travel specific use' of the gear)

Thank in advance for your reply
Mauro from Rome

[guitard]

Is there any way to get a larger/longer running battery for long video shoots?  i could swap batteries between songs... but that gives me flashbacks to the md/cassette swap days.   

You indirectly re-enforce the idea that it's a good to record audio separately.  When you have to switch out batteries and/or chips, obviously, you are going to miss a little video here and there during a show.  If you have a separate audio stream, you not only have better audio - you can drop some still photos into your video to cover those spots you missed video and you still have the complete show.

Another thing you can do - record some video clips of the venue before the show (outside vendors, fans partying, etc., etc.) and you can drop that video into the parts that are missing.  With the alternate audio stream - those clips fit in really well.  And you are essentially using a technique that tv shows use all the time, so it looks perfectly normal to someone who watches your video.

good point.  is there an option to do video but drop the audio tracks to save card/battery life?

I really doubt it.  But the audio is usually recorded in a very low bit-rate, so you wouldn't be saving much space on your chip anyway.  By and large, the stoppages are due to battery changes.  These little point-and-shoot cams typically have internal battery compartments that (obviously) only hold one size of battery.  And they aren't really designed with the idea of shooting 2+ hours of video so the batteries tend not to last that long (one hour or so) for shooting video in HD.  So you usually have to change batteries during a show, unless it's a short set.

[guysonic]

Of course one could make a dummy battery (maybe using contacts on a defunct battery) with small size power cord leading out of the camera's battery compartment (maybe put a small notch on the door's corner for the cord).   This cord could lead to a 4.5 volt precision regulated 2 C alkaline or NiMH cell battery supply capable of running the camera in video mode for 7-to-10 (alkaline) or 4-5 (NiMH) hours continuously.  But this would also negate some of the convenience of having a shirtpocket size camera.

[guitard]

Of course one could make a dummy battery (maybe using contacts on a defunct battery) with small size power cord leading out of the camera's battery compartment (maybe put a small notch on the door's corner for the cord).   This cord could lead to a 4.5 volt precision regulated 2 C alkaline or NiMH cell battery supply capable of running the camera in video mode for 7-to-10 (alkaline) or 4-5 (NiMH) hours continuously.  But this would also negate some of the convenience of having a shirt pocket size camera.

One of the beauties of the point-and-shoot when it comes to shooting concert video - is that you can blend right in with all the other people in the audience holding up a point-and-shoot.   Adding something like a dummy battery attached to a cord could potentially make you stand out.

Most bands take a half minute or so between songs.  If you time it right, you can shoot a show and not miss any of the music when you change batteries.  I do it all the time.

[Chrisedge]

Is there any way to get a larger/longer running battery for long video shoots?  i could swap batteries between songs... but that gives me flashbacks to the md/cassette swap days.   

You indirectly re-enforce the idea that it's a good to record audio separately.  When you have to switch out batteries and/or chips, obviously, you are going to miss a little video here and there during a show.  If you have a separate audio stream, you not only have better audio - you can drop some still photos into your video to cover those spots you missed video and you still have the complete show.

Another thing you can do - record some video clips of the venue before the show (outside vendors, fans partying, etc., etc.) and you can drop that video into the parts that are missing.  With the alternate audio stream - those clips fit in really well.  And you are essentially using a technique that tv shows use all the time, so it looks perfectly normal to someone who watches your video.

good point.  is there an option to do video but drop the audio tracks to save card/battery life?

Nope, and I would never want to shoot like that anyways since some audio is better than none if your separate audio crapped out, plus it's easier to sync if you have something to sync to...

[carbine000]

Another thing you can do - record some video clips of the venue before the show (outside vendors, fans partying, etc., etc.) and you can drop that video into the parts that are missing.  With the alternate audio stream - those clips fit in really well.  And you are essentially using a technique that tv shows use all the time, so it looks perfectly normal to someone who watches your video.

Well that sounds great and all but what program do you use for that? Especially working with MTS files?

[guitard]

Another thing you can do - record some video clips of the venue before the show (outside vendors, fans partying, etc., etc.) and you can drop that video into the parts that are missing.  With the alternate audio stream - those clips fit in really well.  And you are essentially using a technique that tv shows use all the time, so it looks perfectly normal to someone who watches your video.

Well that sounds great and all but what program do you use for that? Especially working with MTS files?

You could use any number of Non-Linear Editor (NLE) programs.  I use Sony Vegas Video.

[justink]

I noticed there was a new firmware update for the ZS7. 

I was looking at a second/backup battery and was wondering if anyone knew any compatible batts with the new firmware... i noticed some reviews that said their aftermarket battery stopped working.

[swordfish]

Another thing you can do - record some video clips of the venue before the show (outside vendors, fans partying, etc., etc.) and you can drop that video into the parts that are missing.  With the alternate audio stream - those clips fit in really well.  And you are essentially using a technique that tv shows use all the time, so it looks perfectly normal to someone who watches your video.

Well that sounds great and all but what program do you use for that? Especially working with MTS files?

You could use any number of Non-Linear Editor (NLE) programs.  I use Sony Vegas Video.

I used the European version DZ10 for thwe firste time last week in a small club..the videos look amazing for a small camera like that.

The sound is a bit muffled in my ears...did the audio with md dpa 4061....now i want to convert and burn the MTS files...in Sony Vegas 7----> drag and drop you only can see the audio files.

Any easy to handle converter programm  MTS ro AVI  available?

[Neilyboy]

I noticed there was a new firmware update for the ZS7. 

I was looking at a second/backup battery and was wondering if anyone knew any compatible batts with the new firmware... i noticed some reviews that said their aftermarket battery stopped working.

I have the 1.1 fw on mine and my ebay cheapy batt still works. am going to hold off on this update to 1.2 from sep 21 as it looks like it just speeds up the gps info which is not worth me losing the use of my second battery as of now haha.

neil

[beatkilla]

@ swordfish    sony vegas 7 doesnt support mts avchd files,but vegas 9 does so just download the 30 day trial.

[swordfish]

@ swordfish    sony vegas 7 doesnt support mts avchd files,but vegas 9 does so just download the 30 day trial.

thanks for the info beatkilla...But what to do after the 30 days...not being a PC expert at all....

SF

[indiie]

I use Handbrake v0.9.3 available here
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/HandBrake/old-versions#download

Note that the latest version 0.9.4 does NOT convert to AVI format so stick with the older one if that's what you're after.

[beatkilla]

If your converting AVCHD to AVI than you would want to use HD which is huge like 300gb perhour and that wont play smooth either.Im guessing your converting your MTS to standard def AVi and if thats the case theres no benefit to recording in HD in the first place.Yould be much better to convert to  M2t also known as  HDV.

[indiie]

If your converting AVCHD to AVI than you would want to use HD which is huge like 300gb perhour and that wont play smooth either.Im guessing your converting your MTS to standard def AVi and if thats the case theres no benefit to recording in HD in the first place.Yould be much better to convert to  M2t also known as  HDV.

I compress using H.264 at 3000 kbps and keep source resolution 720p.

Guess it depends on what you plan on doing with the videos. Mine are mostly just for uploading to youtube and for the times I want to watch them on the big screen TV I can handle the compressed quality.