~ High Definition Video Cameras
On September 18 of 2005, Canon broke new ground in
the digital video camera industry, announcing the
XL H1, which was Canon's first DVC featuring high
definition. Originally developed based on the needs
of professional and enthusiast videographers, the
XL H1 retains the operability of Canon's very popular
XL2 while increasing the professional function and
supporting high definition recording.
The flagship DVC for the company of Canon, the XL H1
is ideal for use all across the spectrum of
professional content making, from film and television
production to filming weddings. The XL H1 also
comes equipped with a HD 20X zoom video lens, the XL
5.4-108 mm L IS II, which contributes to Canon's
development aim of delivering the highest possible
quality of recording available today.
As Canon's first HD video camera, the XL H1 camcorder
and 20X HD video zoom lens will provide broadcasters
with a low budget 1080i resolution option for ENG,
documentary or even reality television productions.
Film makes will also fall for the extensive Cine
controls and 24 frame rate option the XL H1
has to offer. Canon's custom jackpack features
include uncompressed digital HD-SDI output for
seamless integration into broadcast studios or high
quality image transfer to non linear editing systems.
The genlock feature will allow movie sets to
easily synchronize camera settings across multiple
camcorders and SMPTE time codes will allow for
streamlined tape and edit management.
The XL H1 also offers three 1/3 inch 1.67 megapixel
interlaced CCDs that capture images at 1080i
resolution. It also features selectable frame
rates of 50i and 25F, so capturing fast motion and
just about everything else is possible with the
XL H1.
Controls And Features
The central part of a DV camcorder is the CCD, or
Charge Coupled Device. This sensor creates a video
picture by recording the light intensity to recognize
an image or shape, along with the color levels to
reproduce a full color picture.
There are several tape based DV camcorders that have
both color eyepiece viewfinders and a flip out TFT
LCD screen to view the action as well as the previous
recorded footage. Most tape-less models however,
only offer the TFT screen to preview your captured
video and to view while you make a recording.
When you need to get closer to the action, a zoom
lens can be a great feature. Don't get swayed by
the digital zoom figure however; as no matter how
large it may be, you should always base your final
decision on the optical zoom.
The optical zoom will give you a true indication of
the video image, where digital zooms interpolate the
available pixels to zoom in on an image. Optical
zooms will normally range around the 10X mark, with
digital zooms ranging from 100X and above.
The auto focusing systems are great as well, although
manual focus options can be ideal for low light or
when focusing on a subject against a landscape. Being
available on most video cameras, the manual focus
control can be found as either a ring on the lens
or as a dual button system on the body.
Most video cameras these days will provide a tilting
feature in the camera itself, although this feature
should be avoided unless you don't intend to edit
the video on a computer. The title effects on
many cameras are quite limited and cannot be
removed afterwards.
Almost all new high definition video cameras will
use a rechargeable Li-ion battery, even though a
spare battery might be useful as the batteries are
unique to each camcorder maker and normally each
model.
Most of the latest cameras allow you to capture
digital still images onto a removable flash memory
card. The most popular media is SD or MMC, but
Sony and Samsung cameras often capture to a memory
stick.
If your video camera doesn't offer still image
capabilities, you can always perform a capture of
the screen in your editing program. Always remember
that the image resolution when capturing a still
this way will always be 640X480, which is actually
less than 1 MB, or Mega Byte.
Editing HD Video
Working with the video of camcorders such as the SonyHDR-HC1 can produce a serious business. HD video
contains four times the number of pixels that
standard definition offers, and it's much more
heavily compressed.
Keep in mind that you need a powerful computer with
a lot of memory to deal with the extra data and
compression. Pinnacle for example, recommends a
minimum 512 MB of RAM and a graphics card with 128
MB of RAM for standard resolution video, although
that goes up to a GB of RAM and a 256 MB graphics
card when working with 1080i HD video.
You can find plenty of software available that
supports editing high definition videos. For example,
the latest versions of Pinnacle Studio and Ulead
Media Studio 8 can import and edit files in HDV
format.
Even though the high definition video with these
types of looks great when played back on an HDTV,
at the present time is there is no way store HD
video on a DVD. The only way you can store HD
video for playback is on your PC or the same type
of media you used in your HD camcorder.
There is however, a new generation of high definition
optical media format coming soon. Products that
are based on the HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc formats
are very expensive, and they will remain that way
for the near future.
HD-DVD players were announced a while back that
they will cost $500 and up, and will be available
very soon. You'll also need one of the new HD-DVD
drives to write to the disc, which will cost as
much again. You can expect the same story with the
Blu-ray disc, as both the recorders and the players
are going to be expensive for a while to come.
There is one other option as well. There is a
DVD player from KISS, the DP-600, which can play
back high definition files that have been compressed
to Microsoft's Windows Media 9 format. This can
at least provide a stop gap until the price of the
HD-DVD and Blue-ray disc players and writes come
down to an affordable price.
You can always play back the recorded video you
have through the camcorder itself, although you
shouldn't expect to be able to write it out on a
disc with the current available equipment and
preserve its quality. If you wait it out, the new
generation of available media will be everything
you need for your HD video.
Finding Your Format
It's quite impossible to choose a camera without
knowing which format best fits your needs. Below,
you'll find many of the most popular formats.
DVCPRO HD
Based on the standard definition of DVCPRO format,
the DVCPRO HD from Panasonic uses a data rate of 120
MBps and intraframe compression, both of which will
provide strong protection from generational loss.
The DVCPRO HD also has supporting cameras and decks
that use FireWire I/O, which is a very important
feature for keeping an eye on your bottom line. The
cost of the equipment is a bit pricey, as it can
cost upwards of 80,000$.
HDCAM
The HDCAM format from Sony is based on DigiBeta and
can record in 24p, 25p, 50i, and even 60i. It
uses a high data rate of 140MBps, which produces a
great looking picture with few glitches. Because
of the very unusual 17:6:6 color sampling scheme,
the color detail is half of DVCPRO HD. The
picture is top of the line, proving to be among the
best available on the market.
HDV
There is quite a bit of buzz surrounding HDV as
the newcomer to the high definition marketplace.
With high compression rates, HDV has enabled
high quality shooting and editing with low cost
tools, including the convenience of high
definition video to Mini DV tape. This has also
helped to open up the HD field to a wide
variety of videographers and producers who
would never have even considered going high
definition otherwise.
The biggest drawback to going the HDV route is
also the greatest strength - high compression.
Both audio and video can suffer dramatically
from too much compression. The audio in theory
isn't up to CD quality, although some users
report that they are perfectly happy with it.
HD Based Video Cameras
HD, or high definition, is creating quite a lot of
interest, due to some very high spirited campaigning
done by the cable networks wanting you to buy HD
boxes to watch HD on television. What you may not
be aware of, is the fact that HD is delivered in
a widescreen format of 16:9 instead of the normal
television format of 4:3.
The average everyday customer has every right to be
confused as to what HD really and truly is, as most
companies involved with it can't agree on one simple
standard. The standard getting the most support
with HD is 1080i, which means a resolution of 1080
interlaced lines or 720 progressive lines. The
television signals in general will give you 525
lines so the increasing quality is dramatic, if
you have the HD gear to watch the video the way it
was meant to be.
Cameras that offer HD are simply the best you can
buy. They are obviously more expensive than digital
cameras, with some models reaching upwards towards
90,000$ and above! These types of cameras are
normally for professionals, as the average working
man would never be able to afford such an expensive
type of HD video camera.
The average HD video cameras will run 800$ and up.
HD cameras offer you the chance to shoot high
definition picures and videos, and send them to
friends or family. You can also save your shoots
to disk or memory card, then take them with you
everywhere you go.
If you've yet to see a HD video camera, you'll
probably find yourself amazed. The zoom offered
with these cameras are amazing, as many can get
above 100X! Shooting up close and personal is
never a problem with HD video cameras.
High Definition Has Arrived
A while back, Sony, Sharp, Canon and JVC announced
the creation of a new high definition video standard
for video cameras - HDV. HDV utilizes MPEG-2 image
compression with a definition of 1080 lines and a
16:9 aspect ratio.
Shortly after that, Sony opened the door to high
definition by creating the first HDV camcorder, the
HDR-FX1. This release was on par with the launch
of the first DV camcorder in 1995, which at the
time was a giant step forward for image quality,
marking the break from traditional analog.
At the time, consumers were moving from the Hi8
format to DV, which featured much better image
quality, along with the ability to transfer to a
computer without any degradation of signal. With
HDV, the resolution of camcorders can be doubled,
from 576 lines to 1080. The compression method is
no longer DV, but MPEG 2 instead.
HDV exists in two formats - 1080i (interlaced) and
720p (progressive). With interlaced, the video
camera records 1080 lines in interlaced images,
which is half images of 540 lines each that are
displayed 60 times per second.
With 720 progressive, the video camera records
720 lines in progressive images, which are full
images that are displayed 30 times per second.
Sony chose to use 1080i on the HDR-FX1, where JVC
chose to use 720p for the GR-HD1, which is sold
only in NTSC format in the USA and Japan.
The progressive mode format requires a television
set that supports it, while interlaced mode is
the natural scan mode that televisions use. The
question today is which of the two formats
deliver the best image quality.
With several high definition video cameras on the
market today, the question of image quality all
depends on the camera and features, along with
your television or method of play back. All high
definition video cameras are amazing in quality
and playback, which is why they have become so
popular is such a small amount of time.
With Sony, JVC, and Canon continuing to develop
HDV, you know the technology will continue to get
better and better. When high definition first
hit the market, it was an instant success. With
the integration of HDV, camcorders allow you to
do what you never could before.
If you like to record precious memories, a high
definition video camera is just what you need. They
are very handy to have around, and there are
several out there these days for you to choose
from - all you need to do is pick the best one
for you.
High Definition Video
HDTV or high definition television normally refers
to any video system of higher resolution than the
standard definition. The original HD specifications
date back to the early 1980s, when Japan first
experimented with a 1025 line television standard.
Japan presented their parameters at an international
meeting of television engineers in Algiers in 1981
and Japan's NHK presented their analog HDTV system
at a Swiss conference in 1983. Except for these
early formats, HDTV is digital broadcast and
therefore it's introduction will sometimes conincide
with the introduction of DTV, or digital television.
The signals for high definition require a high
definition television or a computer monitor in order
to be watched or viewed. High definition video
will normally have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The
aspect ratio of the regular widescreen film that is
shot today is normally 1:85:1 or 2:40:1. The
standard type of television has a 4:3 aspect ratio.
High definition television resolution is 1080 or
720 lines. With the contrast, regular digital
television is 480 lines or 576 lines. The current
quality with DVD is not high definition, although
high definition systems such as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray
are both expected to be and ship later on in 2006.
The most noted feature with high definition video
is the fact that it's so life like. There is HDTV,
and HD video cameras. High definition is very
popular these days, with television being at the
top of the list.
High definition video cameras are getting just as
popular, as they offer you the chance to capture
memories like never before. HD offers you video
like never before, making you wonder if things are
this good now - just what will video in the future
actually be like?
JVC And The First High Def Camera
The amazing company of JVC (Victor Company of Japan)
released the first high definition video camera for
consumers back in 2003. The GR-HD1 high def camera
was the first digital video camera in the world to
record and play back high definition images.
By utilizing a newly developed 1/3 inch type 1.18
million pixel progressive scan CCD and JVC type
processing, the new camera records and plays back
750/30p digital high definition and 525p progressive
wide screen images to mini DV tape.
Features
The GR-HD1 is was the first digital video camera in
the world to record and play back high definition
video and images. The GR-HD1 records digital images
to mini DV tapes using MPEG 2 compression, recording
and playing back digital high definition images
while still maintaining conventional 525i DV
standard recording times.
The GR-HD1 also comes with an optical 10X zoom lens
and a built in optical image stabilizer. It also
uses a newly developed 1/3 inch type 1.18 million
pixel (1.14 million effective pixels) progressive
scan CCD. Due to the JVC original signal
processing circuitry and driving system, it can
record muti format high quality images.
There are three recording modes; HD mode, SD
mode, and DV mode that are based according to
the camera operators requirements.
The HD mode records 750/30p digital high definition
images, SD mode 525p progressive wide images, DV
mode at the conventional 525i DV standard. This
way, camera users can freely choose among the 3
modes according to their specific requirements.
Even though it was the first high definition
video camera to release to consumers, the GR-HD1
is still a very impressive camera. It has a
slew of other features, which are sure to please
camera lovers everywhere.
JCV HY-HD100
At first look, the JVC HD100 looks like any other
high definition camera with a lot of switches, dials,
and places to plug in peripherals. In operation, it
functions like an old regular video camera. You
don't really need to do anything special to make a
high definition recording, just press a button -
although there are differences.
One of the things that makes this camera so nice and
unique is the amount of control you have over pretty
much everything you record. JVC really outdone
themselves here, as you can record all of your settings
on a SD memory card and save them to move on to
another JCV camera, which will save you a lot of time.
Another amazing feature enables the video camera to
automatically record to a hard disk while at the same
time recording to a tape. Recording directly to a
hard drive will save you a lot of time in the editing
process, as you can immediately begin using your
video without having to capture tape to your computer,
which can only be done in real time.
Surprisingly enough, the camera is very easy to use
either mounted on a tripod or on your shoulder. The
shoulder pad is a nice addition, being thickly padded.
To make things even better, the camera is very light.
When it comes to the quality, the GY-HD100 needs to
be seen to be believed. HD video is intended to look
like real life. There is an extended gray scale, a
heightened sense of color - and the resulting detail
is simply incredible.
HD at this incredible level has 720 X 1028 lines of
progressive video, which means that the video is shot
in one entire frame at a time. Also, it can be
recorded at 24 or even 30 frames per second.
The 24 fps resembles film and if you plan to convert
to film, it's a great way to shoot - as you can
quickly and easily go directly to film. The 30 fps
has more data per second, although it is not
appropriate for making a film project.
If you want to experience HD without spending over
70,000$, then the JCV GY-HD100 is more than worth
your time and money. Even though it doesn't record
uncompressed HD video, it does record a picture
that is far superior to the standard picture you get
with an average everyday camera. HD is rapidly
becoming the future, and with the GY-HD100 - its here
and now.
Looking At High Def Cameras
If you've been looking for a high definition video
camera, there are many out there for you to choose
from. In this article, we will take a look at
some of your options available in each of the
different formats.
HDV
JVC, Sony, and Canon all produce HDV cameras of
various stripes and abilities. The JVC HD100U
shoots 720p, offers a true 24p frame rate, and
provides a professional looking form factor, along
with sporting the ability to change out lenses.
The two popular HDV cameras from Sony include the
HDR-FX1 and the HVR-Z1U. Both of them shoot only
1080i and provide 24p. The XL h1 is Canon's
entry to the HDV roundup. It provides HD SDI
output and gives you the option of interchanging
lenses. Like Sony, it shoots 1080i without true
24p capabilities.
All of these cameras are 3CCD models and all
sport level professional XLR audio inputs, with
the exception of the HDR-FX1. Sony also offers
single chip HDV cameras. The consumer HC1,
which is actually a miniature version of the FX1
is an excellent camera.
DVCPRO HD
on the budget end of the Panasonic spectrum is the
AG-HVX200. This widely hyped camera does away with
tape based HD recording and will instead record
HD to either memory cards or even an attached hard
drive. It also offers the ability to shoot all
the above mentioned HD resolutions along with 50
and DV25.
Another popular camera for Panasonic is the Varicam
which shoots at 720p. A great feature with this
camera is the ability to shoot at variable frame
rates, which range from 4 - 60fps at 1fps intervals.
These different frame rates will allow you to
achieve a look similar to that of over cranking a
film camera.
HDCAM
Sony couples their HDCAM cameras together under
the name CineAlta. They cover a broad range of
prices and features, ranging from the XDCAM HD
models and the F350 to the widely used and widely
popular F950.
The XDCAM HD cameras record directly to Sony's
professional disc media, which is physically
similar to Blu-ray discs. These cameras can also
record various quality levels of 1080i and 1080p,
along with regular SD DVCAM. Unlike other HD
cameras from Sony, the XDCAM HD supports i-Link
for file access and DV output.
Near the high end of the Sony HD solutions is the
F900. It captures both 1080p and 1080i at
various frame rates, including 25p and 50i. This
is also the most expensive camera from Sony, as
it costs around 80,000$!
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