HD Camcorder Resolution

[katana6434]

Hi there

I am thinking about purchasing an HD camcorder, with the one of the Sony HDD models being most likely, although I am also looking at the Panasonic SD5.

What I am confused about is the resolutions that the two cameras shoot at.

The panasonic states that it shoots at 1920 x 1080, which is fine and is a perfect match for my Sony 40X2000 TV, while the Sony SR7 shoots at 1440 x 1080.

Now, to my very limited understanding, the Panasonic shoots 16:9 while the Sony doesn't. I was under the impression that the Sony can shoot at 16:9 as well.

Am I wrong in this assumption. Could somwone explain this for me.

Cheers

[rhubarbe]

The Sony captures at 1440 x 1080 which is the HDV standard but because the pixels are "anamorphic" they stretch to fill the 16:9 aspect ratio of your TV.

I expect one of the other guys will probably be able to explain it better.

[redsox_mark]

Yes, they both shoot 16:9.

The SR7 actually shoots at 1920 x 1080 (with square pixels), but it is stored on the HDD as 1440x1080 (where each pixel itself is rectangular in shape, this is the "anamorphic" bit.)

When played on your TV this will be converted back to square pixels and be displayed as 1920x1080.

The reason this is done is to save space. Technically speaking you are losing horizontal resolution when saving as 1440x1080, but in practice this is not noticable. Also, in all cases compression is used... camcorders which store in 1920x1080 need to use even more compression than if storing as 1440x1080.

Really it doesn't matter, what matters is what produces the best picture at the end of the day (and between these 2 it is pretty similar).

[katana6434]

Hi Guys

Sorry for the delay in replying. Thanks for your replies, yhey are most helpful. Based on other reviews and opinions i have decided to go with the Panasonic SD5. I received it the other day and am very happy with it, especially the size.

Thanks again
richard

[redsox_mark]

Richard,

Congratulations on your new purchase....

[mmace]

just in case people think that 1440x1080 isn't as good, the channel BBC HD is broadcast in that resolution and looks a million times better than channels like Sky One HD and Sky Movies HD 1 due to the bandwidth it uses

[redsox_mark]

Thanks Maff, that's interesting.

Nice little document describing the Terrestrial HD trial here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/pdf/dtt_hdtrial.pdf

[mmace]

the DTT trial finished quite a while ago and seemed very successful, now we just need the analogue TV signals switched off. Personally can't wait for Channel 4 HD next month and ITV HD next spring, especially as ITV via satellite is such poor quality. Just need five to get their arses into gear now (along with all the current channels like "living" etc to go widescreen, they're only 10 years behind!)