Category: high definition video cameras

Why You Should Use HD Cameras

If you own a camera, as millions of us around the world
do, your probably aware of the fact that there are
many to choose from. The cameras of the past were
black and white, enabling you to take a black and
white photograph that printed out from the camera
right in front of your eyes.

From then, cameras evolved. Digital cameras came
out later on, which the ability to put them on your
computer or even take your camera card to a local
store and have the photos printed out on professional
paper. Over the years, cameras have evolved in so
many ways that it isn’t even funny.

These days, high definition video cameras are
dominating the market. They are relatively new and
quickly catching on, giving you so much you can do
with your camera. Unlike the past, cameras are
now capable of capturing full videos as well, proving
that they are indeed capable of capturing any
memory you can possibly imagine.

High definition video cameras also offer you 20X
zoom lens or more, meaning that you can zoom in
quite a distance on things that you want to capture
up close and personal. For the most part, you can
do things with these cameras that you may have
never before thought possible.

When you capture a picture or video with high
definition cameras, you’ll be very amazed at what
you see. Just like HDTV, the pictures of the
camera are very lifelike. If you have a newborn
baby, a high definition video camera may be just
what you need to capture each and every precious
moment. For this reason and many more, you
shouldn’t hesitate to get a high definition video
camera – that is if you don’t own one already.

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HD Based Video Cameras

HD, or high definition, is creating quite a lot of
interest, due to some very high spirited campaigning
done by the cable networks wanting you to buy HD
boxes to watch HD on television. What you may not
be aware of, is the fact that HD is delivered in
a widescreen format of 16:9 instead of the normal
television format of 4:3.

The average everyday customer has every right to be
confused as to what HD really and truly is, as most
companies involved with it can’t agree on one simple
standard. The standard getting the most support
with HD is 1080i, which means a resolution of 1080
interlaced lines or 720 progressive lines. The
television signals in general will give you 525
lines so the increasing quality is dramatic, if
you have the HD gear to watch the video the way it
was meant to be.

Cameras that offer HD are simply the best you can
buy. They are obviously more expensive than digital
cameras, with some models reaching upwards towards
90,000$ and above! These types of cameras are
normally for professionals, as the average working
man would never be able to afford such an expensive
type of HD video camera.

The average HD video cameras will run 800$ and up.
HD cameras offer you the chance to shoot high
definition picures and videos, and send them to
friends or family. You can also save your shoots
to disk or memory card, then take them with you
everywhere you go.

If you’ve yet to see a HD video camera, you’ll
probably find yourself amazed. The zoom offered
with these cameras are amazing, as many can get
above 100X! Shooting up close and personal is
never a problem with HD video cameras.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sony New HD Camera

When Sony first unveiled the H3 to the market, it
staged none of the over the top glitz or glamour
many expected. Held at a tiny theater inside a
Sony office in Tokyo, the event barely even
resembled a minor product launch.

Although many don’t think of Sony as a camera maker,
the company is number 1 in video cameras, holding
on to well over 40 percent of the market. Sony
is a leader in many other industries as well, with
cameras helping to add the icing to the cake.

The HDW is the top of the line camcorder from
Sony. The HDW 900 is capable of recording and
playing back 1080 progressive at 23.98 or 24, 25,
29.97, or 30 frames per second. It can also play
back 50 or 60 fields per second at 1080 interlaced.

The camera also offers a memory stick setup system
that memorizes various parameters and enables instant
recall. Once you set the camera up for the first
time, it will remember the settings then go right
back to the previous parameters at the touch of a
button.

A simple switch operation will enable automatic
adjustment and black set, black balance, and even
white balance. You can quickly and easily shift
colors with the video camera, making it easier to
use than most other high definition video cameras
on the market.

The HDW 900 from Sony will come standard with HD
zoom lens, a tripod, AC power supply, and 3 Anton
Bauer Hytron 100 batteries. With everything it
offers you and everything it comes with right from
the box, the HDW 900 is truly nothing short of
amazing. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect
high definition video camera – rest assured that
the HDW 900 is it.

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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.

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High Definition Has Arrived

A while back, Sony, Sharp, Canon and JVC announced
the creation of a new high definition video standard
for video cameras – HDV. HDV utilizes MPEG-2 image
compression with a definition of 1080 lines and a
16:9 aspect ratio.

Shortly after that, Sony opened the door to high
definition by creating the first HDV camcorder, the
HDR-FX1. This release was on par with the launch
of the first DV camcorder in 1995, which at the
time was a giant step forward for image quality,
marking the break from traditional analog.

At the time, consumers were moving from the Hi8
format to DV, which featured much better image
quality, along with the ability to transfer to a
computer without any degradation of signal. With
HDV, the resolution of camcorders can be doubled,
from 576 lines to 1080. The compression method is
no longer DV, but MPEG 2 instead.

HDV exists in two formats – 1080i (interlaced) and
720p (progressive). With interlaced, the video
camera records 1080 lines in interlaced images,
which is half images of 540 lines each that are
displayed 60 times per second.

With 720 progressive, the video camera records
720 lines in progressive images, which are full
images that are displayed 30 times per second.
Sony chose to use 1080i on the HDR-FX1, where JVC
chose to use 720p for the GR-HD1, which is sold
only in NTSC format in the USA and Japan.

The progressive mode format requires a television
set that supports it, while interlaced mode is
the natural scan mode that televisions use. The
question today is which of the two formats
deliver the best image quality.

With several high definition video cameras on the
market today, the question of image quality all
depends on the camera and features, along with
your television or method of play back. All high
definition video cameras are amazing in quality
and playback, which is why they have become so
popular is such a small amount of time.

With Sony, JVC, and Canon continuing to develop
HDV, you know the technology will continue to get
better and better. When high definition first
hit the market, it was an instant success. With
the integration of HDV, camcorders allow you to
do what you never could before.

If you like to record precious memories, a high
definition video camera is just what you need. They
are very handy to have around, and there are
several out there these days for you to choose
from – all you need to do is pick the best one
for you.

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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.

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Editing HD Video

Working with the video of camcorders such as the Sony
HDR-HC1 can produce a serious business. HD video
contains four times the number of pixels that
standard definition offers, and it’s much more
heavily compressed.

Keep in mind that you need a powerful computer with
a lot of memory to deal with the extra data and
compression. Pinnacle for example, recommends a
minimum 512 MB of RAM and a graphics card with 128
MB of RAM for standard resolution video, although
that goes up to a GB of RAM and a 256 MB graphics
card when working with 1080i HD video.

You can find plenty of software available that
supports editing high definition videos. For example,
the latest versions of Pinnacle Studio and Ulead
Media Studio 8 can import and edit files in HDV
format.

Even though the high definition video with these
types of looks great when played back on an HDTV,
at the present time is there is no way store HD
video on a DVD. The only way you can store HD
video for playback is on your PC or the same type
of media you used in your HD camcorder.

There is however, a new generation of high definition
optical media format coming soon. Products that
are based on the HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc formats
are very expensive, and they will remain that way
for the near future.

HD-DVD players were announced a while back that
they will cost $500 and up, and will be available
very soon. You’ll also need one of the new HD-DVD
drives to write to the disc, which will cost as
much again. You can expect the same story with the
Blu-ray disc, as both the recorders and the players
are going to be expensive for a while to come.

There is one other option as well. There is a
DVD player from KISS, the DP-600, which can play
back high definition files that have been compressed
to Microsoft’s Windows Media 9 format. This can
at least provide a stop gap until the price of the
HD-DVD and Blue-ray disc players and writes come
down to an affordable price.

You can always play back the recorded video you
have through the camcorder itself, although you
shouldn’t expect to be able to write it out on a
disc with the current available equipment and
preserve its quality. If you wait it out, the new
generation of available media will be everything
you need for your HD video.

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