Vision Assembler

High Definition Video HD

Recently, in an advertisement video cameras, plasma and LCD TVs we see or hear mention of the standard HD High Definition. In this article you will find information about the video standard of the new generation - HD, and all its varieties, as well as an overview of digital cameras that support standard HD.

In the past two years in the world, more and more different standards and formats for video. To date, they have so much that the average user is very difficult and sometimes impossible to understand this heap. Especially as some manufacturers try to push the customer equipment that only supports a less common format, and does not support the common, under the guise of "multi-format."

Especially a lot of confusion has arisen due to the emergence and development of "high-definition video», HDV and HD, as well as high-definition television - HDTV (HDTV). We want to help a user who had not seen anything other than advertising, pointing to the often dubious advantages of the advertised product, to understand these types of formats and video.

At present the highest quality high definition video format is HD (Full HD), with a screen resolution 1920CH1080 pixels and aspect ratio 16? 9. (This format is supported by most modern LCD and plasma TVs, but not all are able to give a really high quality picture. The fact is that most of these TVs have a lower screen resolution than is necessary for good viewing HD, for example 1280 x 720.

HD format is variety: 1080i and 1080p. As with other formats, letter «i» and «p» represent interlaced or progressive scan pictures. But, unlike the usual PAL and NTSC, here at chresstrochnoy scan frame rate is 60, while progressive - 50 frames per second. This is a standard, it can stick, but you can get around. The fact that a full HD format today can only be played on your PC, special devices (players) to view does not exist (Players HD DVD and Blu-Ray does not provide full quality HD, but more on that later), and therefore full compliance standards do not play such an important role. Enough to have the appropriate program on your computer codec.

Next on the quality and the most common format for high definition video is HDV, with a screen resolution of 1440? 1080, but also with the ratio of 16? 9. This ratio is achieved by "stretching pixels" across, from 1440 to 1920. Therefore, for full viewing HDV also requires TV Full HD, with a screen resolution of 1920 × 1080.

Of course the quality of video in HDV format is lower than HD, but nevertheless the HDV format is now the most common among users. The reason is that the HDV format was invented before HD, and even before the latter was designed and produced a lot of video, supports only 1440? 1080. High-definition movies are usually recorded on the HD DVD and Blu-Ray and have a resolution of HDV - 1440? 1080. Therefore, the format HDV, although some lower quality is still very slowly losing ground on the market for high-quality HD.

Even before the advent of HDV and HD format appeared "high resolution» 720p. Resolution - 1280 x 720, Aspect Ratio - 16 # 9. This, in effect, a transitional format from standard PAL to HDV and HD.

The first amateur camera "high resolution" in the world, released by JVC, filmed at 720p. But despite attempts to promote this format with the release of TV razreshiniem screen format that becomes obsolete before he could become the standard. This is quite natural, since it visually (as opposed to HD) are not too different from the PAL (720? 576).

In recent years, due to a decrease in equipment prices, more and more willing to watch videos and movies at a higher than PAL, resolution. On the other hand video enthusiasts also seek to improve image quality.
Which formats shoot camera?

Today, unquestionably the most popular format for high definition video camcorder format is HDV (1440? 1080). This format is based on the most prevalent in today's world of video codec - MPEG-2. Files written in this format have a constant bit stream (25 000 kilobits / sec.). Enlargement of the standard file type - *. m2t.

HD and HDV format is designed in such a way that 1 hour of video takes about 13 gigabytes, which allows you to capture images for a long time has become common for digital video media - digital cassette miniDV. Most of the amateur and semi-high-definition camcorders use tape just as the media, which led to the most common format HDV. Also HDV has one more advantage of compatibility: The files in this format without transcoding and can change the resolution (which affects the quality) to transfer to disc HD DVD or Blu-Ray.

The next most common in the world is actively videolyubiteley format AVCHD, actively marketed by its creators - Sony and Panasonic. This format is the most "amateur" of all. It is based on the famous video codec h.264, a descendant of xvid. As you probably already understood, it is inferior to the format as HDV, in spite of the fact that there is a higher resolution - HD 1920 × 1080. But AVCHD file size much smaller than that of HDV.

Professionals, as usual, give more attention to the quality of the picture, rather than occupied by the size, and rightly so. Actually why do we need high-definition video, if it still then compress? Therefore, the new professional cameras shoot in HD format with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 (still known as Full HD), encoded in MPEG-2 variable-bit-stream (from 25 000 to 35 000 kilobits / sec.). Recently, the opportunity arose, and with fans - thanks to the new camera from JVC, other manufacturers are also developing a similar camera.

For brevity we will refer to other sections of the data formats HDV, AVCHD and HD, respectively.
Which video format to choose?

The answer to this question depends primarily on the fact that you're going to do with the recorded video after the shooting. Just look at? Mount? Will you watch movies on your computer, or write to HD DVD or Blu-Ray?

Format HDV, recorded on cassette miniDV, today the most versatile in terms of standards and ease of handling. You can mount the film, shot on HDV in the professional video editors like Adobe Premiere Pro and Edius. What is important, since the vast majority of amateur video editors do not support any standards other than PAL. Also after the installation files without transcoding HDV can be transferred to disc HD DVD or Blu-Ray, which is also important for those who like to watch movies without a computer.

The AVCHD format is much less versatile. For fans it has only one major advantage - the small size. For a lot of minuses. Files in this format can be viewed only on a computer, even for normal viewing requires at least 2 gigabytes of RAM one, not to mention the processor. And for editing requires more resources, and it is still a long and tedious process. Also because of the strong compression quality when editing also decreases. Move to the disc HD DVD or Blu-Ray, these files can be, but they have completely re-encode, and edit out the resolution. This process takes time, but also significantly reduce the quality of the picture.

Format HD, as well as AVCHD, now you can only watch on your computer. But compared with last HD format has a huge advantage - namely, a lower degree of compression, which allows not only watch but also to edit these files is not the most powerful computer. Quality loss when editing and virtually unnoticeable. But when recording video clips to HD DVD or Blu-Ray will still have to change the resolution. However, the HD format is primarily intended not for recording to disk, and to browse through your computer to your TV with a resolution of 1920 × 1080. This is the format gives the best picture quality on the screen.
Summary:

The most convenient for "advanced" amateurs is indisputably format HDV, as the best balance between size, ease of installation and the quality of the finished video.

AVCHD format will suit lovers only "lift and look" who are interested in file size.

HD format is the choice of professionals. Gradually it becomes available and for fans who want to get the best possible quality, but the pe*******on of HD on the market until amateur video is just beginning.
What are the video camera?

Camcorders that remove high-definition video generally are of three types: amateur, semiprofessional and professional.

Amateur cameras can also be divided into two types: "absolutely amateur" and "serious amateur".

"It is quite amateurish," in which shooting high definition video is just a "promotional chip", but really though these cameras and shoot HD or HDV, but the picture looks vrezultate little better than standard PAL.

"Serious amateur" - usually on the contrary are aimed primarily at improving the quality of the real picture. Another thing is that this is not always possible, but still the picture quality from these cameras are usually much higher.

Semiprofessional camera - it's basically a choice of "advanced" amateurs and even professional video operators. These cameras provide image quality is much higher, but the price - is also higher, with much. These cameras usually have a larger size than the amateur, as well as the greater weight, so long removed from the hands of such a camera seriously. Video operators use a tripod or shoulder rest.

Professional cameras are different, but here we are talking only about the cameras HD and HDV. The most common and usually the best quality video format cameras are now HD. Such cameras are used as a carrier of information is not a tape, and no built-in hard drive (like some amateur), and a new flash media up to 16 gigabytes. Different companies use different manufacturers, they are usually well developed types of media. For example the support of Panasonic's called P2, and Sony - SxS.

Media - generally an important element in the camcorder.

The advantages of flash drives are obvious: the total lack of mechanics, not only in principle increases the service life, but also creates unnecessary noise, vibration, and so on. Not to mention the convenience of recording. You can start recording at any time, and then view any stage, whereas with a cassette there is always the risk you want to erase the episode. But while the camera is not only with carriers so expensive that only available to professionals, but even the media are as inexpensive HDV-camera each.

But the advantages and disadvantages of internal hard disks and tapes almost equal. Someone always needs to be able to shoot without a connection to a computer at least 10 hours (as with most hard drives can not be), but someone is inconvenient to transfer video from tape to the wire in real time (transfer from the hard disk is much faster).
Summary

Cassettes have the advantages of the prevalence and relatively low cost, while hard drives - the convenience of shooting and the ability to shoot a few hours without a break (tapes must be changed every hour) and transfer to your computer is also simplified. In addition, a hard disk has the advantage that, although there are mechanical parts, but they, unlike the cassette is completely closed, which of course increases their service life, and also solves the problem of contamination of the reading head.
What else should I consider when choosing a camera?

Choosing a camera on the quality of the video format or media type of information should not be forgotten as the camera itself. Semi Camera HDV (1440? 1080) almost certainly will remove better than amateur AVCHD (1920 × 1080). The point here is not in a format and as optics, quality and quantity of matrices and their resolution. Three matrices for the red, green and blue colors are almost always better than one. The colors are more natural at the expense of increasing the number of colors. Number of pixels on the sensor - no less important, such as full HD 2 megapixel required for HDV - 1,5 megapikseleya (but then the pixels have to be stretched out horizontally, like the Canon XH A1, otherwise also takes 2 megapixel).

Optics - an equally important part of the chamber. Poor optics may spoil the image so that it does not matter a high resolution. For example to give a "barrel" or "cushion," or may appear colorful stripes around the circuit. Leaders in the manufacture of optics companies are Fujinon, Carl Zeiss, Leica and Canon. Serious manufacturers of expensive cameras usually use lenses to lenses of these particular producers, under the contracts (JVC uses Fujinon, Sony - Carl Zeiss, Panasonic - Leica, etc.).
Summary

And finally remember that different cells have very different functionality. Options such as priority and locking aperture or shutter speed, the correction of these parameters, etc. rarely found in cells known to be an amateur, yet advanced users appreciate such features as they are really easy to obtain at the output is really high-quality film.
Installation of HD-video footage

Do not experienced computer users may experience problems with the installation of high definition video. The fact that the vast majority of simple and medium-sized amateur video editors do not support either HDV, let alone HD. At best, you will be able to import high-definition video into the program, but the output still get a standard PAL or NTSC. But then why do we need the source in high definition? Especially not that rare remake PAL video from an HDV lower quality than the video, shot once in the PAL. This is due to the fact that the number of rows in HDV, and PAL is not only different, but does not coincide with the multiplicity, and the fine detail of the image begins to "tremble."

So here we consider only those professional and semiprofessional editors that support not only imports but also exports high-resolution video.

One of the most common installation program of advanced video enthusiasts - Pinnacle. The latest version of this product, Pinnacle 11 plus, supports the output formats HDV, HD, and also allows you to burn HD DVD and Blu-Ray. This program - not the best choice for the professional as it works for some time, in the preview window shows the video without flowers, and not reliable enough (when exporting large and "clever" projects in the finished film can move down the sound quality to deteriorate, there is a "freeze frame" for a few seconds, etc.) .

Sony Vegas video editor designed for processing by Sony AVCHD. When taking the camera Sony (shot on AVCHD) using your own codec that is recognized by Sony Vegas, but not compatible with many other editors. Nevertheless, one can only export video in formats HDV (1440? 1080), so for HD, this editor is not suitable.

One of the most popular professional software for editing - Adobe Premiere. And the Pro-version distinguished by great functionality and usability. It is starting with version Adobe Premiere 1.5 Pro, this editor was able to mount HDV. (Only for the realization of this possibility will need to install the plugin Aspect HD). HD Format this editor does not support them.

Edius - also known video editor. To support HD also requires a special plug-in.

Unexpectedly, the list of editors, high-definition video production company got CyberLink - Power Director (and Power Producer - for burning HD DVD and Blu-Ray). Supports high-resolution version appeared in Power Director 5 Express. But version 6 also supports higher resolution, but functional is much higher. Today it is one of the most powerful editors amateur video. But most important - is that the Power Director supports not only the format of HDV, but also HD! (What is missing more than a professional editor). That this program is completed camcorder JVC GZ-HD7, shoots video in HD.
What to keep and watch?

It depends on what is important for you convenience, resulting from the movies with the disc player (compared to the relatively inconvenient viewing through your computer).

If you are in any case want to have a player HD DVD / Blu-Ray and watch movies without a computer, the best to take for you to format HDV. It is relatively widespread and that in this case, the main thing - full compatibility with HD DVD and Blu-Ray.

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