I use a Panasonic PV-GS15 camcorder. It has the option to record audio in 12 bit or 16 bit, but the difference is not very clear in the manual. What would be the better choice or would it vary by application? I film short (usually one hour) movies but also use it just to record things like family get-togethers. Would the sound choice be different for each use?

I would recomend 16 bit as cd is 16 bit and if you use any software for editing ie final cut or .. they support 16bit but I dont now if they support 12 bit

the reason it allows you to record at 12-bit or 16-bit is that usually there are only two channels of audio: Left and Right

on miniDV you can actually get four channels of audio, Track1 Left, Track1 Right, Track2 Left, Track 2 Right. but since that's a lot of information it has to compress it down to 12-bit audio in order for it to fit.

the reason for the four tracks is really if you're out on the field and you really have to have four distinct tracks of audio for whatever it is you're doing. or if you want to do surround sound (have one channel for each corner of the room)

once you digitize it, you'll get all four tracks of audio.

to keep it simple,

pick 16 bit.

yeah 16 bit will give you higher quality sound.