http://www.sonybiz.net/
follow the links to "professional video">"Sony previews professional application of HDV format at NAB">"Sony HDV FAQ">"HDV Professional Product FAQ"
HDV FAQ
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. Mixing standard definition and high definition video is technically possible however it depends on each company’s product design. We suggest that you contact each company directly. (See below for Sony product plans in this area.)
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.
Sony HDV Professional Product FAQ
HDV PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
Is the design of the Sony professional HDV Camcorder shown at IBC 2004 final?
No. It is a working prototype that is more advanced than the mock-up shown at NAB, but there may still be changes made prior to launch.
Will Sony use a 3CCD system for this Camcorder?
Yes. It will be a 16:9 1080i HD CCD specifically designed for this camcorder for the highest performance.
Will the Camcorder support 1080i?
Yes.
Will the Camcorder offer progressive recording such as 720p or 1080p?
1080p is not defined in HDV format, while 720p will not be supported by the Sony HDV camcorder because its CCD is interlaced-based for the highest performance at 1080i. There are features specifically designed by Sony for this camcorder to provide a ‘film look’. These ‘film look’ HDV features will be described in more detail later.
Will the Camcorder support 24p recording?
This is currently under review.
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 will this Camcorder use?
You can use miniDV or DVCAM tape. However, Sony Professional Media will introduce 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 is long the recording time?
The same as for DV (SP).
Will the Camcorder be able to record DV/DVCAM as well as HDV?
Yes, it will offer HDV, DV and DVCAM recording.
Will the DSR-PD170P be discontinued after launching this Camcorder?
We have no intention of discontinuing the DSR-PD170P.
Will this HDV camcorder have backward compatibility with the DV/DVCAM format?
Yes, you can playback DV/DVCAM tape.
Will NLE software be available for HDV 1080i?
We are open and talking with many companies as well as NLE software manufacturers. The manufacturers featured on the HDV stage at IBC 2004 will provide NLE products for HDV1080. Please contact each NLE companies for more information.
Will Sony launch its own compatible NLE?
Sony Pictures Digital Networks supports HDV format. Vegas 5 will support HDV1080i within the near future.
Will 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. We believe i.LINK will be suitable for the HDV interface.
What will be the differences between the consumer and professional versions of the Camcorder?
The professional camcorder will feature audio XLR inputs, separate two channel audio volume, Time code preset and of course DVCAM support. Other features specific to the professional model will be announced soon.
When will this product be launched in Europe and other areas?
We are not ready to announce our launch schedule for HDV products at the present time.
How much will the product cost?
We are not ready to announce our pricing for HDV products at the present time.
SONY PROFESSIONAL HDV VTR
Any plans to launch 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?
This is currently under review.
Does it support battery operation for field applications?
Yes. It can operate using NP-F Series batteries – which are the same as are used in the HDV camcorder.
Is it possible to perform full 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.
When will the HDV VTR be available?
We are not ready to announce our launch schedule for HDV products at the present time, however we are planning to ship the HDV VTR at the same time as the HDV camcorder.
Related Links
HDV homepage
DVCAM homepage
HDV Information website
N.B. HDV and HDV logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)
follow the links to "professional video">"Sony previews professional application of HDV format at NAB">"Sony HDV FAQ">"HDV Professional Product FAQ"
HDV FAQ
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. Mixing standard definition and high definition video is technically possible however it depends on each company’s product design. We suggest that you contact each company directly. (See below for Sony product plans in this area.)
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.
Sony HDV Professional Product FAQ
HDV PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
Is the design of the Sony professional HDV Camcorder shown at IBC 2004 final?
No. It is a working prototype that is more advanced than the mock-up shown at NAB, but there may still be changes made prior to launch.
Will Sony use a 3CCD system for this Camcorder?
Yes. It will be a 16:9 1080i HD CCD specifically designed for this camcorder for the highest performance.
Will the Camcorder support 1080i?
Yes.
Will the Camcorder offer progressive recording such as 720p or 1080p?
1080p is not defined in HDV format, while 720p will not be supported by the Sony HDV camcorder because its CCD is interlaced-based for the highest performance at 1080i. There are features specifically designed by Sony for this camcorder to provide a ‘film look’. These ‘film look’ HDV features will be described in more detail later.
Will the Camcorder support 24p recording?
This is currently under review.
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 will this Camcorder use?
You can use miniDV or DVCAM tape. However, Sony Professional Media will introduce 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 is long the recording time?
The same as for DV (SP).
Will the Camcorder be able to record DV/DVCAM as well as HDV?
Yes, it will offer HDV, DV and DVCAM recording.
Will the DSR-PD170P be discontinued after launching this Camcorder?
We have no intention of discontinuing the DSR-PD170P.
Will this HDV camcorder have backward compatibility with the DV/DVCAM format?
Yes, you can playback DV/DVCAM tape.
Will NLE software be available for HDV 1080i?
We are open and talking with many companies as well as NLE software manufacturers. The manufacturers featured on the HDV stage at IBC 2004 will provide NLE products for HDV1080. Please contact each NLE companies for more information.
Will Sony launch its own compatible NLE?
Sony Pictures Digital Networks supports HDV format. Vegas 5 will support HDV1080i within the near future.
Will 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. We believe i.LINK will be suitable for the HDV interface.
What will be the differences between the consumer and professional versions of the Camcorder?
The professional camcorder will feature audio XLR inputs, separate two channel audio volume, Time code preset and of course DVCAM support. Other features specific to the professional model will be announced soon.
When will this product be launched in Europe and other areas?
We are not ready to announce our launch schedule for HDV products at the present time.
How much will the product cost?
We are not ready to announce our pricing for HDV products at the present time.
SONY PROFESSIONAL HDV VTR
Any plans to launch 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?
This is currently under review.
Does it support battery operation for field applications?
Yes. It can operate using NP-F Series batteries – which are the same as are used in the HDV camcorder.
Is it possible to perform full 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.
When will the HDV VTR be available?
We are not ready to announce our launch schedule for HDV products at the present time, however we are planning to ship the HDV VTR at the same time as the HDV camcorder.
Related Links
HDV homepage
DVCAM homepage
HDV Information website
N.B. HDV and HDV logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)