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HDTV World > Understanding HDTV > CNET's quick guide to HD camcorders

HDTV World: Everything you need to know about HDTV

CNET's quick guide to HD camcorders

Lori Grunin
By Lori Grunin
(September 13, 2006)

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HD recording formats: 720p or 1080i


  720p 1080i
Example products Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1		 JVC GY-HD110U
JVC GY-HD110U

JVC GY-HD100U
JVC GY-HD100U

JVC GR-HD1
JVC GR-HD1
 Currently used by pro products costing upwards of $16,000.
Recording format MPEG-4 JVC ProHD
HDV variation limited to 720p capture		 Sony XDCAM HD (a.k.a. MPEG HD)
Supported media types Flash, hard disk Tape, hard disk Proprietary disc format
Format details MPEG-2 with intraframe-only compression (MP@H-14)
Max bit rate: 19.7Mbps
Capture resolution: 1,280x760
Encoding resolution: 1,280x720
Color sampling: 4:2:0
Variable frame rate: yes		 MPEG-2 with intraframe-only compression (MP@H-14)
Max bit rate: 19.7Mbps
Capture resolution: 1280x720
Encoding resolution: 1280x720
Color sampling: 4:2:0
Variable frame rate: yes		 MPEG-2 MP@HL compression, a high-bit rate inter- and intraframe compressor
Max bit rate: 35Mbps
Capture resolution: 1,920x1,080
Encoding resolution: 1,440x1,080
Color sampling: 4:2:0
Variable frame rate: yes
Hardware issues Quality may vary widely across different products because unlike most other formats, MPEG-4 doesn't mandate predetermined bit rate levels; for instance, the Sanyo camcorder operates at 9Mbps, far below the 19.7Mbps maximum. Tapes recorded in ProHD format can be played only by JVC camcorders and JVC professional decks. Did we mention the proprietary disc format? Designed for closed-system work flows.
Video--editing issues At low bit rates, the highly compressed originals won't stand up well to subsequent editing and recompression. None Supported only by high-end video-editing software.

Next: See HD recording formats: 720p and 1080i 


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