HDV Professional Product FAQ

Collated by Nigel Cooper with the help of Sony UK

With HDV being relatively new, many people have lots of questions about the various camcorders and variations between them. With the help of Sony UK DVuser has published this HDV FAQ that will hopefully answer most of your questions.

HDV 1080i & HDV 720p

Announced in September 2003, HDV offers High Definition recording on a standard DV tape. It is an entry-level HD format designed to appeal to the same market as the phenomenally popular DV/DVCAM formats.

How many video formats are defined in the HDV standard?
The HDV format offers a choice of interlaced or progressive recording, both of which use the same tape speed and track width as standard DV but are otherwise quite distinct.

1080i (interlaced) has a resolution of 1440 x 1080 recorded in an MPEG-2 PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) at approximately 25Mbps - the same bitrate as DV. Two frame rates are supported natively, 50i and 60i, for European and US markets respectively.

720p (progressive) has a resolution of 1280 x 720 recorded using an MPEG-2 Transport Stream at approximately 19Mbps. Four frame rates are supported - 60p and 30p for the US market and 50p and 25p for Europe. It?s important to note, however, that at the time of writing no camcorder supports true 60p or 50p tape recording on the HDV format.

Why doesn't Sony support all formats?
It's far more cost-effective to optimise a camera system for a progressive or interlaced operation, particularly at the entry-level where price competition is exceptionally sharp. Simply put, an optimised system offers more performance at a lower cost. Power consumption is also critical in a compact camera, so again a simpler chip has significant advantages compared to a more complex one.

Why did Sony choose 1080i rather than 720p?
1080i offers the best balance of performance for the widest possible range of HDV applications:

1080i resolution delivers the ?'Wow Factor'
High Definition needs to be immediately and obviously superior to the Standard Definition picture quality most people are used to. The diagram below helps illustrate the huge difference between the two formats, based on 1080 and 720 vertical lines. This difference is particularly obvious in the European market where television audiences are used to the 576 vertical interlaced resolution of PAL.

50fps means Production Flexibility
While 24fps is famously associated with motion film production, the vast majority of today?s video content is produced and distributed at either 50i or 60i. A higher frame rate means a smoother, more natural look and is virtually essential for fast-moving events, such as sports, where a slower frame rate such as 25fps would result in a choppy, unnatural look. Sony believes 720 at 25fps is a less than ideal compromise as it offers neither the ?wow factor? of true 1080 HD nor the smooth update expected of standard TV programming such as news, sports etc. and is therefore only really suitable for ?film-type? applications, although even there the lack of 1080 resolution limits professional usage.

1080i & the ?'film look'
For applications where the ?'film look' is desirable on HDV, Sony 1080i offers two distinct alternatives:
Where content will actually be transferred to film, it?s best to shoot in full 1080i and then use similar postproduction techniques to those used with DVCAM-to-film transfers, but obviously with the much higher picture resolution producing a much sharper result.
Where content is directly transferred to DVD or video, the Sony 1080i Camcorders offer three CineFrame modes that simulate progressive recording at 30, 25 and 24 frames per second.*
There?s also a Cinematone gamma mode to replicate the dynamic range of film.
* HVR-A1E is specific to the European market and only offers CineFrame 25. The HVR-Z1E offers 30, 25 and 24 modes.

SONY HDV 1080i PRODUCT RANGE

What compression format is used for video?
HDV1080i uses MPEG2-based compression with a 25Mbps bit rate.

What compression format is used for audio?
MPEG1 Layer2 is used for audio with 48Khz sampling and 16 bits quantization. 384Kbps is the rate after compression.

What kind of tape does Sony HDV 1080i range use?
You can use miniDV or DVCAM tape. However, Sony Professional Media have introduced a new product range called Digital Master that uses a new metal evaporation process and protective layer for unsurpassed durability, plus improved packing density and increased C/N ratio for all HDV, DVCAM and DV equipment.

How long is the recording time?
The same as for DV (SP).

Can the Sony HDV 1080i range record DV/DVCAM as well as HDV?
Yes, the HVR-Z1E, HVR-A1E and HVR-M10E offer HDV, DV and DVCAM recording.

Will the Sony HDV 1080i range have backward compatibility with the DV/DVCAM format?
Yes, you can playback DV/DVCAM tape.

Is NLE software available for HDV 1080i?
Yes, a wide range of third-party NLE solutions are now available as well as Vegas 6 from Sony Media Software.

HDV CAMCORDER FAQ

Why is the HVR-A1E being introduced?
The highly compact form, easy-to-use functionality and exceptionally low pricing of the HVR-A1E offer an unprecedented opportunity to bring in a huge new market for professional HD equipment. The HVR-A1E is designed to really make ?professional HD for everyone? a reality.

Will the HVR-A1E replace the HVR-Z1E?
No, just as the DSR-PD170P and DSR-PDX10P have successfully sold alongside each other, so we expect the HDV models to do the same as the HVR-A1E and HVR-Z1E target slightly different applications/customers.

What is the basic difference between the HVR-Z1E and HVR-A1E?
The HVR-Z1E is the HDV equivalent of the DSR-PD170P - a compact camera designed to meet the most uncompromising professional standards. It also features 3 1/3? CCD chips rather than a single CMOS chip and is also suitable for using with an optional shoulder brace, while the A1E is essentially a palmcorder. The HVR-A1E is designed as the ideal entry-level HD camcorder - less fully featured, but also smaller, lighter and more affordable.

What are the key advantages of the HVR-Z1E compared to the HVR-A1E?
The 1/3 3 CCD offers superior sensitivity, particularly in low light situations. The HVR-Z1E is also 50/60Hz switchable offering 1080i/50 and 1080i/60, while the HVR-A1E only offers 1080i/50. The HVR-Z1E offers more manual controls; for example the Z1E has two independent focus/zoom control rings while the HVR-A1E has a single ring design assignable to focus or zoom control. The HVR-Z1E also has six assignable buttons with 15 assignable functions, while the HVR-A1E has only one assignable button with just five assignable functions.

What are the key advantages of the HVR-A1E compared to the HVR-Z1E?
The principal advantages of the HVR-A1E are its super compact size (even smaller than the DSR-PDX10P), reduced weight and lower cost. It also has a Still Picture Mode recording onto either tape or Memory Stick.

Why does't Sony offer an interchangeable lens feature within its HDV range?
While we realise some users would prefer an interchangeable lens, there are significant issues in offering this feature on a compact camcorder. A truly professional metal lens mount adds cost, weight and bulk to the camcorder' potentially unbalancing the design ?- while the number of High Definition lenses suitable for mounting on such camcorder are very limited. A fixed lens means a lighter, more compact camcorder and enables the lens manufacturer to concentrate their development efforts on a single, high performance design. The Carl Zeiss lenses used with Sony HDV camcorders are true High Definition designs, specifically optimised for HDV.

Why doesn't Sony offer a ?'compact shoulder-mount' HDV camcorder?
One of the key advantages of the HDV range for professionals is its compact form factor, enabling discreet, highly flexible shooting options within the most confined spaces. The bestselling DSR-PD150P generated enormous feedback from professional users on how they use their camcorders and the design improvements they'd like. This feedback directly affected the design of the DSR-PD170P and even more the HVR-Z1E ?- a wholly new camcorder design produced from the ground-up to meet user feedback. A key example of this is the mounting of the flip-out LCD viewfinder into the carrying handle ?- when shooting using the LCD viewfinder, users are typically handholding the camcorder so the new design makes this much more ergonomic. For applications where shoulder support is necessary, Sony produce a shoulder mount accessory that can be added or removed as necessary. This clarity of design aims for HVR-Z1E and super compact HVR-A1E makes for class-leading ergonomics.

Can i.LINK be used to connect the camcorder with an NLE?
Yes. i.LINK is very popular as the interface between camcorder and PC NLE.

HDV VTR FAQ

Any plans to launch a HDV VTR for consumer?
No, the Sony HDV VTR will only be for professional customers.

Will the DSR-11, - 25 and ?- 45P DVCAM VTRs be discontinued?
No, we have no plans to discontinue these products.

Can the HDV VTR use a standard size DV cassette?
No, it has a very compact design and is optimised as uploading/downloading machine for an NLE.

Will the HDV VTR have backward compatibility with the DV/DVCAM format?
Yes, it will be able to playback or record using the DV/DVCAM format.

Is it compatible with both 50hz and 60hz?
Yes.

Is it possible to perform digital dubbing between two HDV VTRs using a single i.Link cable?
Yes. All HDV, DV and DVCAM signals can be handled using a single i.LINK cable.

HDV FORMAT

What companies currently support the HDV format?
The HDV format was announced in September 2003 with support from Canon, Sharp, Sony and Victor Company of Japan (JVC). Subsequently many more companies have announced support, including non-linear editing software developers such as Adobe, Apple, Avid, Canopus, Pinnacle, Sobey, Sony Pictures Digital Networks and Ulead Systems. By September 2004, more than 28 companies have expressed support for the HDV format. You can get the most up-to-date list by visiting www.hdv-info.org/support.htm

Why was the HDV format developed?
While the original DV format included a HD specification, it was for 1024 lines of vertical resolution rather than 1080 lines ?- which is increasingly popular with HD devices such as consumer plasma and LCD displays. By compressing 1080 scanning lines with MPEG2 format, the HDV format is able to support the demand for 1080 resolution while still retaining a high degree of compatibility with the DV format. In fact, the HDV format can record and play back this higher picture quality on exactly the same cassette using the same tape speed and track pitch as DV.

How does Sony position HDCAM and HDV?
Sony develops products optimizing the characteristics of each format to meet market demand. HDV will be positioned as the entry HD format for lower budget content creation while HDCAM is aimed at general and prestige TV production.

At a technical level, key differences between the formats are bitrate, compression and the choice of recording formats. The recording bitrate for HDV 1080i is 25Mbs (the same bitrate as DV/DVCAM), while HDCAM has a recording bitrate of 144Mbps. Also, HDV (inter-frame) compression usually runs across several different frames, which is more restrictive for editing than HDCAM where every frame is processed individually (intra-frame compression).

HDCAM offers a choice of eight recording formats; 1080/50i, 1080/59.94i, 1080/60i, 1080/23.976p, 1080/24p, 1080/25p, 1080/29.97p and 1080/30p. HDV only offers two true high definition recording formats; 1080/50i and 1080/60i. The format is also capable of four 720p options ?- 720/25p, 720/50p, 720/30p and 720/60p - however they use a lower recording bitrate of 19Mbps (rather than 25Mbps for 1080 HDV formats) and Sony does not consider these true high resolution so they are not natively supported by Sony HDV products. For programme makers requiring 720p content, we advise producing at the highest quality in 1080 and then downconverting to 720.

What is the target audience for Sony professional HDV products?
As stated above, HDV is an entry-level HD format which we believe is ideally suited to videographers, low-budget filmmakers and corporate or institutional productions.

Disc formats seem set to achieve a high degree of market penetration in the future. Wouldn't a new tape format be short-lived?
While disc-based technology has a great many advantages, Sony has no plans to discontinue support for tape-based technology. Sales of DVCAM hardware are still increasing and XDCAM Professional Disc is designed to co-exist with DVCAM-based infrastructures. A major advantage of the HDV format is its ability to share the same basic mechanism as both DV and DVCAM, which we believe will make the introduction and pricing of HDV hardware ideal for consumer and entry level professional HD acquisition. The ability to use DV/DVCAM tape will also assist its introduction and acceptance with this target market.

Can you record standard definition (SD) video in addition to high definition (HD) video? Can you mix SD and HD video on one tape?
The HDV format only specifies high definition video, however all Sony HDV 1080i products support HDV, DV and DVCAM formats. It is technically possible to record both HD and SD video on a single tape, although Sony cannot guarantee performance in the transition space between switching from HD to SD and vice versa.

Is HDV's recorded track pitch different for professional and consumer versions?
HDV format adopts the same track pitch (10 micro meters) on both professional and consumer products.

Is there any solution to integrate into 720p based system?
We can output a 720p stream via an external converter (i.LINK -> HD-SDI) supplied by a third-party company such as Miranda.

How is the picture quality when downconverted to SD?
It will be almost equivalent to DVCAM native recording, although it varies depending on each picture.

?2005 Nigel Cooper