High Definition TV Video

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.

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.

If you are new to HD video cameras, you've probably found yourself wondering if you really need to have one around. For a majority of people, a HD video camera represents the best way to capture memories and pictures with the best technology available today.

For producers or those looking to start their own productions, HD video cameras may be easier to rent than to buy. While most HD video cameras cost quite a bit of money, they may be easier to rent than just to go out and buy.

If you only plan to use your camera for a few days or just a short period of time, then renting may be your best option. Producers and professional photographers looking to take things to the next level, may choose rent a HD video camera to test the waters before making the purchase. If you've never experienced HD before, renting a camera may be the best idea before you sink a ton of money into buying
one of your very own.

On the other hand, if you take a lot of pictures and enjoy making videos, buying a camera may be the best option for you. Even though they cost a lot of money, these cameras are ideal for anyone who is seeking the absolute best in technology. These cameras are nothing like cameras of the past, as they can do so much more - with a lot better quality.

For the average photographer, a HD video camera may not be the best purchase. If you are on a budget or don't have a lot of money to spend, then this type of camera is probably going to be out of your league. If you have a lot of money on the ther hand, this type of camera is more than worth the purchase.

There are several companies that rent out HD cameras, from many different manufacturers. Normally, those that rent are looking to try the camera out, or just
needing it for a brief amount of time. Trying out the camera is a good thing, although it normally leads to buying it. It can be very difficult to try out a camera that is this good then not buy it.

When the time comes to test out HD video cameras, renting is sometimes the best way to go. If you've used these types of cameras in the past, then you may want to go ahead and buy one. There are several to choose from, and you really can't go wrong with jumping on the band wagon and immersing yourself in the amazing world of HD.

Working with the video of camcorders such as the Sony HDR-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.

All video cameras contain 3 major components - the lens, imager, and recorder. The lens gathers and focuses the light on the imager, which is normally a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor IC. Finally, the recorder will encode the video signal into a form that can be stored. Commonly, the optics and imager are known as the camera section.

The optic lens is the first component in the camera section's light path. The optics normally have one or more the following adjustments:
1. aperture - controls the amount of light
2. zoom - controls the field of view
3. shutter speed - captures continuous motion
In most consumer units, these adjustments are automatically controlled by the video camera's electronics, normally to maintain constant exposure onto the imager.

The imager is the "eye" of the camera, housing a photo sensitive device or devices. The imager works to convert light into an electronic video signal
through an elaborate electronic process. The camera lens projects an image to the imager surface, exposing the photo sensitive array to the light.

The light exposure is then converted into an electrical charge. Towards the end of the timed exposure, the imager will convert the accumulated charge into a continuous analog voltage at the imager's output terminals.

The third piece, the recorder, is responsible for writing the video signal to a recording medium, such as magnetic videotape. The recording function
involves many steps of signal processing, and historically, the recording process introduced some distortion and noise to the stored video, such that the playback of stored signal may not retain the same detail as the original live feed.

All but the most primitive of video cameras will also need to have a recorder controlling section which will allow you to control the camera. You can also swich the recorder into playback mode for reviewing your recorded footage.

The image you recorded doesn't need to be limited to what appeared in the view finder. For a documentation of events such as those used by the police, the fields of view will overlay such things as the time and date of the recording along the top and bottom of the image.

As you can probably tell now, a high definition video camera is very complex indeed. There are several other parts involved as well, although the above are the most important. A HD video camera is very complex in build, making it something that is more than worth the time it takes to create.

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.

Product Features

* 26" LCD 720p HDTV
* Included universal iPod dock provides a convenient way to enjoy music, videos and photos on your VIERA HDTV
* VIERA Image Viewer lets you share your digital photos with friends and family directly from SD cards
* VIERA Link lets you control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder, all with a single remote and helpful on-screen menus
* Two HDMI inputs and PC input

All video cameras contain 3 major components - the lens, imager, and recorder. The lens gathers and focuses the light on the imager, which is normally a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor IC. Finally, the recorder will encode the video signal
into a form that can be stored. Commonly, the optics and imager are known as the camera section.

The optic lens is the first component in the camera section's light path. The optics normally have one or more the following adjustments:
1. aperture - controls the amount of light
2. zoom - controls the field of view
3. shutter speed - captures continuous motion
In most consumer units, these adjustments are automatically controlled by the video camera's electronics, normally to maintain constant exposure onto the imager.

The imager is the "eye" of the camera, housing a photo sensitive device or devices. The imager works to convert light into an electronic video signal through an elaborate electronic process. The camera lens projects an image to the imager surface, exposing the photo sensitive array to the light.

The light exposure is then converted into an electrical charge. Towards the end of the timed exposure, the imager will convert the accumulated charge into a continuous analog voltage at the imager's output terminals.

The third piece, the recorder, is responsible for writing the video signal to a recording medium, such as magnetic videotape. The recording function involves many steps of signal processing, and historically, the recording process introduced
some distortion and noise to the stored video, such that the playback of stored signal may not retain the same detail as the original live feed.

All but the most primitive of video cameras will also need to have a recorder controlling section which will allow you to control the camera. You can also swich the recorder into playback mode for reviewing your recorded footage.

The image you recorded doesn't need to be limited to what appeared in the view finder. For a documentation of events such as those used by the police, the fields of view will overlay such things as the time and date of the recording along the top and bottom of the image.

As you can probably tell now, a high definition video camera is very complex indeed. There are several other parts involved as well, although the above are the most important. A HD video camera is very complex in build, making it something
that is more than worth the time it takes to create.

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 impression. The audio in theory isn't up to CD quality, although some users report that they are perfectly happy with it.

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$!

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.

If you own a camera, as millions of us around the world do, our probably aware of the fact that there are many to choose from. The cameras of the past were black and white, enabling you to take a black and white photograph that printed out from the camera right in front of your eyes.

These days, high definition video cameras are dominating the market. They are relatively new and quickly catching on, giving you so much you can do with your camera. Unlike the past, cameras are now capable of capturing full videos as well, proving that they are indeed capable of capturing any memory you can possibly magine.

High definition video cameras also offer you 20X zoom lens or more, meaning that you can zoom in quite a distance on things that you want to capture up close and personal. For the most part, you can do things with these cameras that you may have
never before thought possible.

When you capture a picture or video with high definition cameras, you'll be very amazed at what you see. Just like HDTV, the pictures of the camera are very lifelike. If you have a newborn baby, a high definition video camera may be just
what you need to capture each and every precious moment. For this reason and many more, you shouldn't hesitate to get a high definition video camera - that is if you don't own one already.

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.

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?