What is the difference between 12 bit and 16 bit for the Audio option when filming D8 tape?

My camcorder is Sony PC330e Pal, and the sound has an option of 12 bit and 16 bit, which one is better for best Audio quality and editing?, and what is the difference?

The camcorder normally records audio in the 12-bit audio recording mode.

For higher quality audio recording, select the 16-bit audio recording mode.

Note:

-when using audio dubbing with 16-bit audio recordings, both the dubbed and original soounds will be recorded in mono.

-you cannot use audio dubbing with recordings made in long play (LP) mode.

if you're just gonna edit (and no dubbing), i recommend that you use the 16-bit audio recording. but for me, to be sure, i use the default 12-bit audio setting (and combining audio 1&2) coz sometimes i change tape speed from standard to longplay and after the recording, make some dubbing (like a narrator)

it's all up to you! 16 bit samples the sound better than 12 bit. CDs use songs bounced to 16 bits. It only matters if your are editing your videos on a computer. The software I use, advises selecting 12-bit if you are going to add sound to your video. Head room, frequency repsonse, upper biasing level and compatiblity with some editing or importing software.

16 bit uses a 48MHz sampling rate at 16 bits.

12 bit uses a 33MHz sampling rate at 12 bits.

Generally you won't notice a difference in most sound tracks, unless you are filming a live musical with songs performed live, then you definately want the 16 bit.

Some software will rejects files made with 12 bit samples!

As a rule, use the 16 bit sampling, which is odd because most cameras are set default to 12 bit!