Tips T0020

What Is HDTV
HDTV is an acronym for High Definition Television, which is Digital TV in its highest and best form. The current NTSC television signal is made up of 525 lines that are scanned horizontally with 480 lines being dedicated to the actual picture information. HDTV pictures are created by scanning 1,125 lines with 1080 lines of picture. Adding twice the lines multiplies the amount of pixels (the small dots that create a clearer and more detailed picture). The screens of the older analog sets contained about 300,000 pixels, while the wider HDTV screen is composed of more than 2 million pixels. The movie theater-like format (16x9 versus 4x3 like on today's sets) and separate surround sound channels more closely resemble your vision and hearing, thus drawing you deeper into the experience and enhancing your viewing pleasure. The pictures are clearer, crisper and more detailed, involving the viewer in an almost three-dimensional feeling.

How to integrate HDTV into Your productions today?
HDTV can be used at each stage of production depending on your project’s needs and budget. You may choose to shoot in HD only, edit in HD, or display your production using an HD video projector or monitor.

The most common use of HD is in the initial shooting stage. Producers who wish to futurize and give longevity to their original material prefer to shoot in HDTV. They like the 16x9 wider aspect ratio and the higher resolution. Other producer’s appreciate the greater latitude and quality of the image that is similar to 35mm origination. Through the use of HDTV recording, their clients obtain the highest quality electronic digital imaging available today.

There are several options in the editing stage.
1) You may choose to downconvert the high definition (HDCAM or HD-D5) camera originals to 4x3 or 16x9 NTSC(525) VHS w/time-code dubs for viewing or offline editing.
2) You can downconvert to Digital Betacam or Betacam (SP) dubs for online 4x3 or 16x9 NTSC(525) final editing.
3) You can downconvert any nonlinear edit suite and work in either offline or online mode for a finished 4x3 or 16x9 NTSC (525) finish.
4) Once offlined using VHS or nonlinear you can online HD edit at a high definition facility. There are suites in Seattle, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

The final high definition show can be projected on large-size screens yielding excellent results using readily available HD projectors. HD Flat-panel television displays and HD monitors are now available. You may also downconvert your final HD program to DVD or other formats for distribution.