Legacy vs. new HD CODECs

JVC Professional

APRIL 2007

NAB-2007

The ProHD Report

Legacy HD CODECs are 10+ years old

Sony’s HDCAM camcorder was first delivered in the US in 1997, while the first DVCPRO-HD camcorder was delivered in 2000. Together, these two formats have been the foundation of the emergence of truly portable HD video acquisition, however, the two CODEC technologies have now been eclipsed by newer, more efficient compression algorithms.

In the mid-1990s, GOP (Group of Pictures) MPEG-2/4 compression technology was not yet available, thus Sony and Panasonic had no option but to work with an intra- frame DV implementations to accomplish portable HD compression for camcorders. DV came from Motion-JPEG, adding bit stuffing to deliver CBR (Constant Bitrate Recording) so the compressed DV could be recorded to constant linear velocity tape within a video tape cassette. HDCAM was developed to record on ½” tape at a bitrate of about 135Mbps video content, while DVCPRO-HD was a function of Panasonic’s DVCPRO (25Mbps) format multiplied by 4, for a video content at 100Mbps, recording on ¼” tape at 4x DV linear tape speed.

There was only one way to get the bitrate down to a manageable level: bit- reduction, pre-filtering, and sub-sampling. With today’s compression technology, there is little need to compromise.

Fig. 16. HDCAM reduces the bandwidth prior to compression, down to 1440 pixels horizontally. The color sub-sampling is really 3:1:1 as the CR & CB is only 480 pixels or 1/3 of the 1440. The number 3 in the “3:1:1” is ¾ of 1920 (and of 4 as in “4:2:2”). 1440 horizontal pixels come from a 4:3 aspect ratio HD image, corresponding to the 1920 pixels in the 16:9 image, both producing square pixels with the 1080 line format. HDCAM only comes in the 1080i flavor.

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NAB-2007 specifications

The JVC NAB-2007 is a notable entry in the world of professional broadcasting and production equipment, showcased by JVC at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in 2007. This camcorder was designed to meet the demanding needs of videographers and broadcasters, emphasizing high-definition video quality and advanced technology.

One of the standout features of the JVC NAB-2007 is its ability to capture high-definition video in various formats. It supports both 720p and 1080i resolutions, allowing users to choose the format that best fits their production needs. This flexibility has made it a popular choice among filmmakers, event videographers, and news organizations looking for quality in their content creation.

The camcorder utilizes JVC’s advanced HD CMOS technology, which enhances image quality by providing better low-light performance and reducing noise. This is coupled with a powerful optical zoom lens that enables users to capture detailed shots from a distance, making it ideal for dynamic shoots where proximity to the subject may be limited.

Another key feature of the JVC NAB-2007 is its ergonomic design, which is crafted for ease of use during extended shooting sessions. The camera is lightweight yet robust, providing operators with comfort and stability. Additionally, the user interface is intuitive, allowing for quick adjustments to settings without disrupting the workflow.

Built-in stabilization features further enhance the usability of the JVC NAB-2007, ensuring that footage remains smooth even during handheld operation. This is particularly advantageous for documentary shoots or on-the-go filming where traditional stabilization rigs may be impractical.

Connectivity options are expansive on the JVC NAB-2007, including HDMI and component outputs, enabling seamless integration with various editing systems and broadcast environments. The camcorder also includes features for live broadcasting, making it versatile for both recorded and real-time production scenarios.

In summary, the JVC NAB-2007 encapsulates a blend of impressive features, cutting-edge technology, and user-centric design, making it a suitable choice for professionals in the broadcasting and film industries seeking reliable and high-quality performance in their equipment.