1.HDV format
HDV is a video format designed to enable the recording of high definition MPEG-2 video on standard
DV media (DV or MiniDV cassette tape). The HDV format was defined by four
companies: Canon Inc., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC). The specification of the HDV format incorporates two versions, one progressive (720p) and the other interlaced (1080i). HDV uses the same track pitch and tape speed as the DV format, and therefore the recording times are the same duration as the DV format.
2.HD Progressive (720/60p) format for high quality moving pictures and digital stills
Progressive scanning
JVC’s ProHD products use the same progressive scanning system used in high- end HDTV cameras. Because the GY- HD250 uses a full-frame (60p) progressive scanning system, it has the unique ability to capture and store full frames of image information. An added bonus of progressive scanning is that it is a very simple process to convert a progressive image to interlaced, whereas the opposite is not the case. When progressive recordings are paused or played in slow motion, each individual frame contains the full detail of the original image — excellent for viewing and analyzing motion. Stills and prints captured from HD progressive video avoid the distortion typically resulting from the combining of two different frames of
interlaced video. In addition, today’s flat panel television displays and fixed matrix projectors, such as D-ILA, DLP and LCD, are all native progressive scanning systems. This means that JVC’s progressive HDV recordings can be displayed without imperfection, because they do not need to pass through the degenerative process of de-interlacing prior to being displayed.
HDV and DV compatibility
The HDV format uses the same recording track pitch (10 µm) as Professional DV, meaning that ProHD also offers track pitch compatibility with the DV format and the same recording time. This remarkable HD recording capability was achieved by developing a new high-power MPEG codec system capable of maintaining high-definition picture quality, while compressing the data to 19.7 Mbps bit rate. With its superior resolution and advanced processing, ProHD delivers top performance in both its native 16:9 HD mode and in the SD mode. The facility to make recordings in either HD or SD makes ProHD the ideal choice for professionals not quite ready to make the full transition to HD.
Progressive HDV-compatible support
To maximize picture quality and performance from input to output, JVC employs the HDV 720 progressive system. Progressive HDV’s resolution of 1280 x 720 is the same as the native resolution of most HD display devices in use today (LCD, plasma, DLP, D-ILA). HDV 720p is thus natively compatible in terms of both resolution and scanning system.
3. True 24p frame capture
24p Progressive Full HD images are ideal for cinematographic applications. From shooting to editing and distribution, an HD system can be established for film-like productions. Unlike 24p images in standard definition, when real 24p HD video is down-converted to SD, the result is truly film-like DVDs. The camcorder itself, with its video lens removed and replaced by a film lens converter system, such as the Mini 35 from P & S Technik, effectively becomes a digital film camera.
The GY-HD250, fitted with Mini 35 film adapter from P & S Technik, becomes an ideal digital film camera
4.JVC’s dual recording system
The optional JVC Hard Disk Recorder DR-HD100 creates a dual recording system of tape and hard disk. This system is already utilized by Professional DV users the world over. The many advantages inherent in JVC’s dual recording system of tape & hard disk drive are well appreciated. It was only natural that JVC’s range of ProHD models would include a Hard Disk Drive recorder and one that can operate equally in DV and HDV modes. The dual recording system provides fast and efficient HDD-based editing and cost-effective archiving, using low-cost tapes. Thanks to the newly developed MPEG-2 encoding IC, high-quality pictures can be recorded on readily available compact DV cassettes, so running costs are minimized as no special equipment or exclusive media are required. The DR-HD100 will also be able to record in the QuickTime .mov file format enabling Direct-To-Edit (DTE) capability with compatible non-linear editing systems.
The DR-HD100 can be mounted at the rear of the camcorder, through the use of an optional bracket which is offered by the leading battery systems manufacturers.
