Government

Finding Your Way on the HD Highway: Which HD format is right for your application?

by Hugo Gaggioni
Chief Technology Officer
Sony Broadcast and Professional Solutions Division

It has been 10 years almost to the day that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) instituted the technical standard for the Over-the-Air (OTA) transmission of digital TV signals. This standard, known as the Advance Television Systems Committee (ATSC) DTV standard, was established in 1995 as the result of 8 years of technical discussions and research for the creation of new digital transmission techniques for the delivery of HDTV signals over the 6 MHz channel spacing of the VHF/UHF broadcast service.

Today, after many years of upgrading the broadcast transmission infrastructure, the majority of the television stations in the U.S. are transmitting or getting ready to begin transmission of HDTV programs. More specifically, according o the FCC, over-the-air digital signals are being broadcast today by 1525 out of the 1687 licensed stations, including 840 that -- industry analysts say -- are HDTV capable. The affiliates of the six major commercial networks (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, UPN, WB) and PBS offer HDTV programs on many of their stations. Furthermore, approximately 100.3 million households or about 99% of all households in America are covered by HDTV-capable signals. Taking into account OTA, Satellite and Cable distribution, most households in America can receive up to 36 channels of HDTV programming.

Most industry experts agree that the broadcast industry in the U.S. has passed the critical threshold for the rapid transition to a complete overhaul of its production and transmission facilities towards implementing HDTV operations. It is expected that 2006 will see many broadcasters begin newsgathering and news magazine HD productions in earnest. The commitment by the TV industry to a full transition to HDTV broadcasting by 2008 will undoubtedly result in an enormous increase in HDTV program production to support the new service.

The Sony Broadcast and Professional Solutions Company (Sony BPSC) has been not only a pioneer but a continuing leader in the research and development of new technologies and products for the broadcast and motion picture industries. In what follows we will describe some of the most important acquisition and storage technologies created by Sony to achieve a balanced blend of features and performances for a wide range of real-world creative needs and budgets.


Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, Sony manufactures high definition content creation equipment that could be classified to belong to one of four generic classes of devices and technologies.

HDV™ – the Affordable Entry Point to the World of High Definition
With Sony HDV™, the benefits of high hefinition are at least accessible to everyone. Offering an ideal migration path from DVCAM™ to entry-level HD production, the HDV format records pictures at 1080-line resolution onto a standard DV format cassette. As well as reducing camcorder size and weight dramatically, use of this smaller cassette size cuts media costs. It also allows tri-format HDV/DVCAM/DV recording and playback with the same camcorder or VTR deck – reducing hardware inventory requirements, storage, and transportation costs. A step up in quality from DVCAM, HDV makes it even more affordable for program-makers to experience the benefits of HD without a big price premium.

XDCAM™ HD – High Definition Quality Meets IT-based Workflow Innovation.
XDCAM™ HD unites true high definition picture quality with the benefits of non-linear, file-based workflow operations and affordable media cost. Positioned between HDV and HDCAM in terms of picture quality, features and price, XDCAM™ HD builds on the success of the XDCAM optical system that has already transformed the workflow efficiency in the standard definition world of television production and news gathering. XDCAM™ HD records high definition pictures onto a rugged, removable optical disc. MPEG Long GOP encoding provides sharp, clear picture quality with true 1080-line HD resolution. The recording data rate is selectable between 35 Mbps, 25 Mbps and 18 Mbps, allowing picture quality and recording time to be selected in response to the demands of each specific HD project.

Like its standard definition sibling, XDCAM™ HD automatically records low-resolution proxy files, thumbnail pictures and metadata onto the disc alongside high-resolution video. Already supported by a growing number of third party developers, XDCAM™ HD format takes high definition workflows firmly into the IT-based, tapeless, production operations of the 21st century.

HDCAM™ – Prestige HD Results on Standard Definition Budgets
The ideal medium for drama, documentaries, commercials and mainstream television programming, HDCAM™ has become the high definition format of choice for the most discerning users. Already chosen as an "in-house workhorse format" by broadcasters around the world (with more than 20,000 sales worldwide), the HDCAM format offers superb high definition picture performance whilst offering a convenient choice of workflow options. Whether you prefer to post-produce in HDCAM format or down-convert for editing within existing SD infrastructures, HDCAM format offers greater flexibility to match creative preferences and operational needs. For example, one can shoot at 24P with any of the HDCAM camcorder models to obtain the "filmic look" required for prime-time productions. Alternatively, a selection can be made for 60i or 50i capture for a more immediate feel, especially with fast-moving action material. Providing an ideal migration to high definition acquisition and production for customers working within standard definition budgets, the HDCAM format offers protection of programming for future use and increases the international marketability of all programming.

HDCAM-SR™ – Ultimate Quality for the Most Demanding Program Creation Applications
Preferred by leading media industry players thanks to its unparalleled picture quality and ultra-mild signal compression, the HDCAM-SR™ format has been developed to accommodate the most demanding video and audio production and post-production applications. From feature-film movies and commercials to sophisticated green-screen effects, CGI, digital intermediates, telecine transfers, and archiving, there is no other format to match the peerless performance of HDCAM-SR. Delivering breathtaking natural detailed pictures, HDCAM-SR format allows even the most complex productions to be completed in a flawless manner. And with twelve uncompressed digital audio tracks, the HDCAM-SR format is also perfect for multi-channel surround mastering. When nothing less than the very best picture quality and performance will do, the HDCAM-SR format is the ultimate choice of the world’s most discerning creative professionals.

We know that every professional broadcaster and program producer has their own highly personal production agenda, creative preferences and budgetary constraints. That is why Sony has created an integrated family of four Sony high definition formats to suit the needs of any project. By giving the end user the choice to select exactly the appropriate format for every type of production, Sony high definition means that his/her personal vision will never be compromised.