High Definition TV Video

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.