updated 2007.01.06 - new links
HDV records high-definition video on DV tapes:
- 720p is recorded at roughly 19 Mbit/sec while 1080i records at 25
mbit/sec.
- In 720p, the luma sampling matrix is 1280x720, square pixel,
exceeding DVCPROHD's 960x720 sampling.
- In 1080i, the sampling matrix is 1440x1080, with 1.33:1 pixels;
this is the same luma sampling used in HDCAM and exceeds DVCPROHD's
1280x1080 sampling.
- Color sampling is 4:2:0 in all HDV formats.
- HDV uses long-GOP MPEG2 for video, with a 6-frame GOP for 720p
and a 15-frame GOP for 1080i.
- MPEG 1 Layer 2 is used to store 16-bit, 48 kHz 2-channel audio at
384 kbit/sec, with 4:1 compression.
JVC's 720p/30 (720 scanline, 30 frames per second) camcorders were
the first HDV products available, shipping in late 2003. They use
single CCDs and, sadly, perform no better than low-end JVC DV cameras
do, so they never really took off. JVC may have more professional HDV
camcorders coming up, which we await with bated breath.
Sony's 1080i HDV camcorders started shipping in late 2004, roughly
nine years and one month after the DV revolution was started by the
DCR-VX1000. These machines have decent camera sections and very
acceptable lenses, and serve as the VX1000s of the HDV era. I got one
of the first HDR-FX1 cameras shipped and the information here is based,
for the most part, on that camera.
- HDV Cafe may be the
ultimate links page for all things HDV. But just in case they miss
something, I've got my own links listing...
HDV format: specifications and licensing
- HDV-info.org is the HDV
format's official website. It's the starting point for obtaining
detailed specs and licensing information. Getting the spec requires a
round of faxing back and forth with Japan and the payment of around
US$800 the last time I checked.
- www.yenra.com/hdv-format/
lists the basic specs, and the table is replicated here.
HDV - info, discussions, fora
As always, take what you read on discussion lists with a grain of salt.
I think the people I list below are informed and careful folks, but
that isn't always true for the posters on their fora, even some of the
"experts". Your informational mileage may vary...
- Chris Hurd does it again with HDV
Info Net.
- Kerr Cook's SonyHDVInfo.com
has articles and forums.
- Jan van Der Meer's Sony HDV page at Global Digital Videographer's Club
covers the Sony cams, usage, and accessories in English and Dutch--and
he quickly discovered that the FX1's plug-in mic power doesn't meet
spec. Sigh.
- Gary Bettan's "Electronic Mailbox" has a new section, HDVideoguys, keeping tabs on
cameras, NLEs, and the like. It has a signup slot for the HDV-list
email discussion on Yahoo!groups.
- Creative Cow has an
active HDV
Format forum.
- Mike Curtis's blog, HD For
Indies, covers all manner of low-cost HD postproduction tech and
workflow issues, including HDV and how to get the most out of it.
- There's a nice HDV
Q&A on Expandore's website.
- In print: HDV:
What You NEED to Know! is one of the first hands-on books for HDV
production. I haven't seen it, but Chris Hurd likes it.
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Updated 2007.01.06