Sony HDW-F900 HD Cine Alta

The Sony HDW-F900 Cine Alta is a ground breaking

digital HD camera that extends both the digital 

heitage of the company and it's unrivalled experience

in the art of imaging.  The physical resemblance

of the HDW-900 to the very successful Digital

Betacam is intentional, although there are some 

subtle but very relevant changes that help to further

enhance operational familiarity and ease of usage.

Because of the outstanding picture quality and 

flexibility, this video camera offers a new and

important alternative to 24 frame film origination

for major television productions and even commercials

as well.  The HDW-F900 is already known as the 

digital movie camera, ideal for exploring new 

horizons in the making of digital movies.

What really separates the HDW-F900 from other

HD video cameras is its ability to capture and

record digital high definition pictures - at 24

progressive frames per second, just like a 

conventional film camera.  

The moving pictures are digitally imaged in 

accordance with the common image format standard,

which will specify a sampling structure of 1920

active pixels horizontally by 1080 active pixels

vertically.  What makes the HDW-F900 so exciting

is that along with recording at 24p, it is also

switchable to record at 25p, 30p progressive  scan,

and also at 50 or 60 Hz interlaced.

Colorimetry

The HDW-F900 produces picture with amazing color

reproduction accuracy.  The Multi Matrix function

will also offer unique possibilities for creating

intervention by allowing selective color 

enhancement of alteration.  The Multi Matrix will

also allow particular colors to be selected and

the hue changes over a range of 20 degrees.

Contrast rage

The HDW-F900 can handle an amazing contrast

range.  For the most demanding of light settings

and scene conditions, a number of useful 

operational features are available that allow

image optimization in real time to help capture

the desired mood and setting for a shot.

Soft focus

The soft focus adjustment is extremely convenient

for those who find digital images to be too

shrap and allows cinematic or even film like

images to be created.

Adoptive detail control

This feature allows the image detail enhancement

in the highlight area to look even more natural.

If you've been looking for the best high definition

video camera on the market, the Sony HDW-F900 is

it.  This camera offers you plenty of features

and options, more than you could ever use if

you aren't a professional.

For professionals, the HDW-F900 is the way to do

business.  The camera offers you everything you 

need for professional shoots, taking things to

new levels.  When the time comes to get the best

HD video camera on the market - the HDW-F900 is

all you need.

Sony HDV

Even though you may think high definition video is

just for your television, it isn't.  You can get

that very same quality on your home movies as well.

You can turn your home movies and precious memories

into works of art with HD.

Amateur home video producers alike will truly love

the high quality of HD.  With HDV (high definition

video), you can record superb high definition video

onto a digital video tape.  

Benefits of HDV

You don't really need to understand how HDV works

to truly appreciate the benefits.  All you need to

do is spend a few minutes watching a video recorded

on a Sony HDV video camera and you'll see everything

you need to know.

If you already know about HDV, there are many more

reasons as to why you should pick HDV video cameras:

1.  The amazing picture quality of HD is no

longer limited to Hollywood and professionals.  You

too can now use HDV technology to capture the 

important memories of your life with life like color,

vivid contrast, and amazing HD video.

2.  HDV recording offers low noise, high

accuracy, rich, and very vivid color.

3.  The sound tracks for HDV use MPEG 1

audio layer 2 digital encoding to give your videos

the sound quality of CDs at a much lower bitrate.

4.  HDV uses the same tapes that are already

popular for DV recording, with the recording time

being the same as well.

5.  HDV also uses MPEG 2 compression, which

is used in digital broadcasts and also DVDs.

6.  HDV uses a higher compression rate than

DV, making it more reliable and less subjectible to

errors.

Technology behind HDV

The HDV format handles the same bitrate as the DV

format, although HDV records a high definition 

signal.  This will allow you to record HD video on

the same tapes used for DV recordings.  A signal with

HDV has 4.5 times as much data as a DV signal used

with NTSC.  HDV also includes CD quality sound, 

MPEG 2 compression, real time encoding, and so much

more.  

When compared to other HD formats, HDV is one of

the best, if not the best.  Sony has always been

known for quality, which makes HDV no exception to

the rule.  This format has been years in the making,

which helps to make it what it is today.

If you've been looking for the perfect type of 

video camera, rest assured that HDV is it.  If

you buy a Sony HDV type camera, you'll know that

your precious memories will be perfect HD quality -

each and every time.

Sony HDR HC3

Home video enthusiasts all across North America are

impressed with the vast range of recording features

offered by the Sony HDR-HC3 handycam video camera.

With both HD and SD modes of recording, you can make

the move to high definition without retaining 

compatibility with standard definition equipment.

The HC3 video camera sets the new standard in resolution

quality with its clear vid image sensor, which 

captures precise detail and superior color.  The dual

record mode will allow you to capture 2.3 megapixel

stills while shooting high definition video.

The smooth slow recording captures fast movement

with precise detail for playing back in slow motion.

Now, you can record what you want however you want

to record it. The HC3 from Sony is everything you could

expect and more. 

2.1 megapixel clear vid CMOS sensor

The clear vid CMOS sensor provides a level of stunning

detail and clarity with amazing video and still 

image performance.  Unlike the traditional CCD

imagers, CMOS sensors require much less power, which

provides better performance for your battery.

Dual record

While you record in HD, you also have the ability

to capture a 2.3 megapixel still image directly to

the memory stick duo media.

HDV/DV format recording

The HDR-HC3 is capable of recording and playing back

both HD and SD video recorded on the standard 

Mini DV tape.

Real time HD codec engine

Sony developed a real time MPEG encoding and decoding

system with a reduced energy consumption along with

a compact size to fit inside of a personal video

camera.  The codec engine provides MPEG 2 compression,

with the recording and playback of clear HD images

at the same bit rate of DV.

10X optical/80X digital zoom

The optical zoom provided by the HDR-HC3 will bring

the action up close from far away.  The digital 

zoom interpolation will make the digital zooming

clearer, with less distortion.

Touch panel

The 2.7" wide (16:9) LCD screen will provide an

excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution.

The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees

for multiple viewing angles, while providing a 

sharp, detailed image for monitoring or playback.

The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode

and composing shots easier than ever before.

With amazing features and video quality, the Sony

HDR-HC3 high defintion video camera is truly one

of the best Sony offers.  If you've been looking

for the perfect HD camera, the HDR-HC3 offers you

more features than you can shake a stick at.

Sony HDR-FX1

The Sony HDR-FX1 is the world's first consumer 1080i

high definition video camera.  A revolution of form

and function, the HDR-FX1 will allow you to play 

and record interlaced high definition video at 

resolutions of up to 1440 X 1080 for professional

quality video with plenty of vivid colors and amazing

detail. 

The HDR-FX1 also features the real time HD codec

engine, which offers you professional level MPEG 2 

video compression, and a 14 bit HD digital extended

processor for increasing the speed of the processor.

The camera images are captured on three chip advanced

HAD CCD system that provides an increased detail along

with improved video performance without the color

blending that is found with other cameras.  

The HDR-FX1 also offers an amazing amount of control

for the user, which includes manual zoom, focus, and

iris control.  The picture profile will allow you to

create a number of preset video modes for a variety

of shooting.  The composing shots are easier than

ever with the 3.5 inch LCD display and the extra

large electronic view finder.

Other features of this amazing camera include:

Manual zoom and focus rings

Dual independent zoom and focus rings provide precise

and detailed control over the amount of zoom and

overall focus of the image.  Fast framing when 

zooming in and finely detailed focus are easier

than ever with the natural feel the rings provide.

Super shot system

The Sony steady shot image stabilization system 

will control a wide range of shake and even vibration

frequencies.  This system achieves a very high level

of smoothness without degradation of video like

other types of stabilization systems.

Manual iris control

By turning the iris dial found on the side of the

camera, you can manually adjust the amount of light

that enters the camera.  The iris is adjustable

from f1 to f11 in 24 easy steps.

Picture profile

This will allow you to set the manual adjustments

for a shoot into any one of the six available presets,

so you can call them up at any time at the touch 

of a button.  This is very handy when shooting 

under the same conditions frequently, as the options

don't need to be reset each time.  

Offering you a slew of other features and benefits,

the Sony HDR-FX1 is truly one of the best high 

definition video cameras you can buy.  With an 

affordable price, this is something everyone who

loves to take pictures and make videos shouldn't

be without.

Sony CMOS Sensor

Beginning with their adoption of cellular phones back

in 2002, Sony's CMOS sensors for megapixel class 

camera cell phones, and digital high definition video

cameras have become widely used in commercial products.

The greatest strength of the CMOS sensors is that

by including both digital and analog circuits on

the same chip, their readout speed can be made much

faster than the CCD.  Sony is now developing high 

speed CMOS sensors for digital cameras that will 

provide continuous imaging from all pixels at an

amazing frame rate of 60 frames.

Here recently, the trend towards higher pixel counts

in consumer digital cameras have continued, and now

it's possible to take high resolution still images

conveniently.  Until now, Sony focused efforts in

the image sensor area on increasing the pixel count

and improving the characteristics of the pixels to

achieve high resolution imaging that everyone

loves about high definition video cameras.

Sony is also aiming for an image sensor that will 

be able to capture and express surprise and emotion,

and is now putting efforts into a CMOS sensor that

can do just that.  

Even through image quality will improve as you 

increase the amount of information you capture, until

now, the still image quality of pictures has been 

improved by spatial resolution increases.  The

amount of information however, can be increased 

not only by spatial resolution increases, but also

by increasing the amount of information in the 

time direction as well.

If anything can be said about Sony technology, it

would be to never doubt it.  Sony creates very amazing

products, and are among the leaders in camera

technology today.  The CMOS sensor is just another

step for Sony in the world of high definition video

cameras, making it something you can't go wrong with.

Sony BRC-H700

The Sony BRC-H700 high definition video camera is

designed for a variety of remote acquisition 

applications, especially in television production

for recording programs and for use as a weather

or even traffic camera.

The PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) camera can display images

onto a large screen in auditoriums, teaching

hospitals, sporting events, trade shows, and even

concerts.  This unit is also ideal for distance

learning applications in which clear high definition

images need to be projected onto electronic white

boards during a presentation or other function.

The Sony BRC-H700 also features three 1/3 inch HD

CCDs with 1.07 megapixels, delivers accurate color

reproduction, and is ideal for taking pictures or

videos in low light environments.

The BRC-H700 has a wide pan range of 340 degrees

and a tilt range of 120 degrees.  Both the pan

and tilt speeds are variable within the range of

.25 to 60 degrees a second, so the camera can

capture both fast and slow moving objects with

minimal rocking vibration.  The camera also 

includes a 12X optical auto focus zooming lens,

which allows for a zoom capability of up to 48X

when used in combination with the 4X digital

zoom.

You can also control the BRC-H700 by external

devices which include the optional RM-BR300 

remote control via Sony's VISCA protocol.  Local

controls such as PTZ settings and any of the 16

presets can easily be accessed.  

The BRC-H700 has a card slot that accepts a 

variety of optional interface cards, including

the HD-SDI, SD/SD, i.Link, and even connections

for use with computers.

Other features include an image flip function 

for installation flexibility on ceilings or other

flat surfaces and up to 16 presets for operational

ease of use.  

Sany Xacti VPC-HD1

This digital HD media camera is small, elegant, and

also lightweight.  The Sanyo Xacti will beautifully

capture your memories in high definition.  The

stylish vertical design offered by the camera will

make it easier for you to keep an arm steady while

you shoot.

2.2" color OLED

The 2.2" flip out organic light emmitting diode 

screen will offer easier viewing of your recordings,

even in bright sunlight.

Video and pictures

The Xacti will simultaneously shoot 5.1 megapixel

still images and high definition video clips.  The

HD1 can also record over 21 minutes of 720 pixel

HD video on a single 1 GB SD care, or well over 42

minutes on a 2 GB card.

MPEG 4 format

The HD1 utilizes the high quality MPEG 4 recording

format which will deliver amazing video clarity and

detail.  With the files being conveniently small, 

you have the ability to record long, high quality

video clips.

Start up

When you close the LCD screen, the camera will go

into standby mode.  Open it back up, and you are

ready to shoot in as little as 2 seconds!  The

camera also records straight to SD flash memory

cards, so it will skip the long process of getting

the tape deck started.

Image stabilizer

The image stabilizer will accurately distinguish

between the unintentional camera shake and 

deliberate camera movement from pans or tilts.  It

will then compensate for the camera shaking to

give you more natural results when you shoot.

Zoom lens

The highly effective and bright 10x optical zoom 

lens witha maximum aperture of f/3.5 will allow you

to get up close to the action.  Coupled with a 10X

digital zoom, it will give you up to 100X of zooming

capabilities.

Scene modes

You can create breathtaking pictures with the HD1

by selecting the best suited mode to the subject.  

The scene selection mode will work for both still

images and video.  The modes to choose from include

sports, portrait, landscape, fireworks, and even

night view.

Easy playback

You can share your pictures and video clips with

family and friends in a snap.  Multiple connections

will allow for easy television playback, dubbing

to a VCR or DVD recorder, transfer to a PC for DVD

creation, editing, or just posting on the internet.

With everything the Sanya Xacti VPC HD1 has to 

offer, it's perfect for anyone looking for a HD

video camera.  You can do many things with this

camera, other than taking pictures or making videos.

If you've never experienced a HD video camera, the

Sanya Xacti is certainly one of the first ones you

should check out.

Sanyo Small HD Cams

Sanyo has recently brought a new level of credability

to dual use, video and still image cameras with the

introduction of the new Xacti HD1.  With measurements

of 3.1X4, 7X1.4 inches and 8.3 ounces, it is easily

the smallest camera to record 720p high definition

video.  It will also capture 5.1 MP still images and 

has a 10X optical zoom lens as well.

Just like other dual use cameras, it will record

both video and still images on a memory card, or

in this case an SD card instead of video tape.  

According to Sanyo, a 1GB SD card can record up to

21 minutes of 720p 16:9 widescreen video.  If you

prefer to record in standard definition, the HD1

can also record video at 640X480 pixel resolution

at either 30 or 60 frames per second.  Everything

you record is with the popular MPEG 4 compression.

Just in case pocket sized HD recording isn't enough

for you, Sanyo also put a 2.2 inch 210,000 pixel

OLED display in the HD1.  The OLED is a display

technology that many thing will end up replacing

LCD very soon.  The advantages offered include wider

viewing angles and faster response time.  

As you probably already know, Sanyo isn't new to

HD video cameras or digital cameras in general.

Sanyo has been around for years, proving that they

can compete with the bigger industry giants.  The

small HD video cameras offered from Sanyo are 

among the best as well.

If you've been looking for the best HD video cameras,

rest assured that anything you select from Sanyo

is going to be great.  There are a few to choose

from, with the HD1 leading the pack.  If you want

the best, the HD1 is everything you need - and 

quite possibly a bit more.

Rent Or Buy HD Video Camera

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 other 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.

Panasonic High Definition

With the growing popularity of the variable frame rate

VariCam HD Cinema cameras, HD production is on the

verge of changing HD video cameras as we know it.  The

low cost 24p editing and finishing on the desktop, is

what Panasonic likes to call a VariDigm shift.

It all starts inside of the camera.  The AJ-HDC27 from

Panasonic replicates several of the key features of

film based acquisition, which includes 24 frame 

progressive scan images, time lapsed recording, and a

wide range of film rates for amazing camera effects.

The VariCam also comes with CineGamma software that

permits Panasonic's HD Cinema camera systems to 

match the latitude of film stocks and effects.

Even though it all starts inside of the camera, it

doesn't stop there.  HD has been showing up in many

more places besides HDTV.  Panasonic is leading the

way with compact and affordable HD products.  All

across the world, you'll see Panasonic launching

HD products that are among the best and very affordable.

Broadcast

If your digital plans call for a transition to DTV

first then HDTV later on down the road, or if you plan

to take your station HD now, Panasonic has you 

covered by making HD both flexible and affordable.

Commercials

Whether your next commercial is a 30 second spot for

TV or a two minute commercial, shoot it on DVCPRO HD

without having to sacrifice quality.  The 24P at 720

progressive resolution from Panasonic makes this 

very possible.  

Corporate needs

The coporate level presentations demand the highest

level of image quality.  Professional presentations

begin with 720p and 1080i cameras from Panasonic.

By starting with the highest image quality available,

Panasonic ensures that you'll have everything you 

need to exceed your corporate needs and demands.

Panasonic AG-HVX200

The Panasonic AG-HVX200 is a handheld HD p2 camera

recorder that's designed to meet the emerging needs

needs in HD content production.  The camera debuts

and remains Panasonic's first HD video product to

use P2, the cutting edge memory recording device

that has the potential to revolutionize the entire

production paradigm.

The AG-HVX200 can record HD, in either 1080i or 

720p video acquired by a new optical system and

high performance digital signal processor onto a P2

card using the broadcasting DVCPRO HD codec.  This

very system achieves a level of image quality that

conventional handheld HD cameras simply can't match,

while also supporting HD/SD multi-format and multi

codec recording capabilities.

The visual frame rate recording is just one of the

many features that makes this camera so very unique

in its class.  By using technology that makes the

Panasonic VariCam camera a favorite in movie

production, this powerful function will allow the

overcranking techniques used with film cameras 

to create fast motion and slow motion effects.

The P2 card offers you superb reliability, immediate

playback, and amazing cost performance.  It will 

also allow direct connection to other editing

systems and streamlines the production work flow,

by providing to the editing system data files

ready to be edited, rather than a video tape 

that would require the tedious task of digitizing.

On top of all the advanced features and technology,

the Panasonic AG-HVX200 inherits the refined 

design and easy operation that seperates it from

the rest.  With the AG-HVX200 HD camera, 

professionals of all kinds will find a powerful

tool to help them create and bring their creations

to life - helping them achieve things they may

have never thought to be possible.

Major Components

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.

Looking At High Def Cameras

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$!

JCV HY-HD100

At first look, the JVC HD100 looks like any other

high definition camera with a lot of switches, dials,

and places to plug in peripherals.  In operation, it

functions like an old regular video camera.  You 

don't really need to do anything special to make a

high definition recording, just press a button -

although there are differences.

One of the things that makes this camera so nice and

unique is the amount of control you have over pretty

much everything you record.  JVC really outdone 

themselves here, as you can record all of your settings

on a SD memory card and save them to move on to 

another JCV camera, which will save you a lot of time.

Another amazing feature enables the video camera to

automatically record to a hard disk while at the same

time recording to a tape. Recording directly to a 

hard drive will save you a lot of time in the editing

process, as you can immediately begin using your 

video without having to capture tape to your computer,

which can only be done in real time.

Surprisingly enough, the camera is very easy to use 

either mounted on a tripod or on your shoulder.  The

shoulder pad is a nice addition, being thickly padded.

To make things even better, the camera is very light.

When it comes to the quality, the GY-HD100 needs to

be seen to be believed.  HD video is intended to look

like real life.  There is an extended gray scale, a

heightened sense of color - and the resulting detail

is simply incredible.

HD at this incredible level has 720 X 1028 lines of

progressive video, which means that the video is shot

in one entire frame at a time.  Also, it can be

recorded at 24 or even 30 frames per second.

The 24 fps resembles film and if you plan to convert

to film, it's a great way to shoot - as you can 

quickly and easily go directly to film.  The 30 fps

has more data per second, although it is not

appropriate for making a film project.

If you want to experience HD without spending over 

70,000$, then the JCV GY-HD100 is more than worth

your time and money.  Even though it doesn't record

uncompressed HD video, it does record a picture 

that is far superior to the standard picture you get

with an average everyday camera.  HD is rapidly

becoming the future, and with the GY-HD100 - its here

and now.

JVC And The First High Def Camera

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.