The world of High Definition (HD) and High Definition Video (HDV) is somewhat confusing.  Here we have tried to answer some of the main questions.  If your query is not covered, please drop us an email to enquiries@hireacamera.com and we will be only too pleased to help.

What is High Definition Video (HDV)?

Can I play HDV on my television?

What if I do not have an HD television?

Can I edit HDV?

Is it possible to copy HDV onto DVD?

So if I cannot play HDV at the moment, why use it?

What is High Definition Video?

High Definition (HD), although a relatively new concept here, has been around for a number of years - in America you can already buy a high definition television and watch content from most of the major networks.  Here in Europe it will not have escaped most people's notice that Sky have started broadcasting some channels in HD.

HDV is HD video that can be recorded on a conventional DV tape.  By using existing mechanisms, the cost of HDV cameras has been kept down.

The resolution of standard definition (SD) television in Europe is 720 by 576 pixels.  The highest HD resolution uses 1920 by 1080 pixels.  HDV uses slightly less at 1440 by 1080 pixels but at nearly 4 times more pixels than standard definition, you can start to appreciate the vast improvement in quality.

Can I play HDV on my television?

You can only play HDV back on your television in true HDV form if your television is HD compatible.  This is already appearing on a large number of LCD and plasma televisions.  The most common way of connecting is via component connections (although a couple of our cameras have an HDMI connection).  At present you are only able to play back HDV using either a HDV camera or player.

What if I do not have an HD television?

The chips inside the HDV camera are recording four times the amount of data that a conventional DV would.  This means that even if you down-convert that footage to SD, it is likely to look better than if it was originally shot in SD.  Sony's cameras allow you to down-convert footage to SD, allowing you to play back in the same format as current DV on any normal SD display .

Can I edit HDV?

Video editing packages are starting to appear from the main editing manufacturers (this include Avid, Adobe, Canopus, Ulead and Pinnacle).  Some are better than others but one common thing that binds them is their need for a very powerful PC.  When you bear in mind that you are effectively processing two megapixel pictures at a rate of 25 per second, you get an idea of how much processing the PC has to do.  Of the packages we have tried, we would recommend having a look at Canopus Edius Pro.  This takes the HDV footage and transfers it to its own HQ codec with no noticeable loss of quality.  The advantages of this are the vastly smaller files sizes and thus better realtime editing performance.  At present, once you have edited your footage, you have only two real options - to transfer back onto HDV or make a Windows Media file. 

Is it possible to copy HDV onto DVD?

Yes, you can copy HDV onto DVD but it will have to be down-converted as DVD is still conventional SD at present - this will change in the next 12 months as 'Blue-Ray' HD DVD players start to appear more readily on the market.  If you use the above Canopus software, your DVD will still look better than the ones you used to make from footage sourced in DV - this is because you can copy directly from HDV to DVD format and the additional information in the HDV footage helps the DVD type data compressor make a better picture.

So if I cannot play HDV at the moment, why use it?

Imagine you are taking video of a wedding.  You can shoot and edit the video on HDV as if it were standard definition.  Making DVD's, you will still get a better picture than normal DV footage.  Yet, you still have the ORIGINAL HDV FOOTAGE that can be used in the future to create HD recordings onto future formats such as high definition DVD players.  In a few years' time when HD television are the norm, you will be glad you recorded your footage on HD.

HD is here to stay.  The BBC and other broadcasters have bought Z1E's and are using them for broadcasts.  Sky are now transmitting in HD and terrestrial television will eventually follow.