An amazing DV camera

An amazing DV camera

JAKARTA (JP): DV is a high-resolution digital video format
that gives exceptional quality. A key difference between DV and
other video formats is that the information is stored as digital
data. But, digital video is not necessary DV. DV is digital video
but with a video format which is compressed. Any video that is
digitized becomes digital video but it is not DV unless it is
compressed with a DV codec. The DV format is a commonly agreed on
specification for digital "domestic" camcorder format, which will
eventually replace VHS-C, SVHS-C, 8 mm and Hi8 formats.

Agreed upon in 1993, 55 camcorder manufacturers support the
format and will release camcorders in time. Two cassette sizes
are specified: Standard four hour (125x78x14.6 mm) and a mini
cassette (66x48x12 mm -- similar to a DAT tape). DV has
specifications for both 12-bit (32 KHz) and 16-bit (DAT quality
but 48 KHz) audio and has up to four 12-bit audio channels.
Frequency response at 16-bit is up to 24 KHz and at 12-bit to 16
KHz. Manufacturers can choose which they implement.

A DV camera (a camcorder, or in Indonesia known better as
handycam) is like Digital 8 (video format by Sony that can record
video and audio digitally but still play analog 8mm and Hi8
cassettes) camera; it uses the "4:1:1" format for color
recording. This captures three times as much color information as
analog recording, which means better color intensity and
accuracy.

DV cameras use the same code/decode algorithm as the Digital
8. The result is a gentle 5:1 compression and a 25-Mbps signal.
MiniDV systems have a track pitch (spacing) of 10 microns and no
control track, making linear editing difficult. For comparison
purposes, VHS uses a 58-micron track pitch and 8mm uses 20.5
microns. DV uses a helical scanning recording head rotating at
9000 rpm (as opposed to 1800 rpm) and records to a Metal
Evaporated tape (the same as Hi8 uses).

Standard features of a camcorder are optical and electronic
zoom, a color LCD viewfinder, a lens, a steady shot, optical
image stabilization and adjustable shutter speeds, and output for
digital video and audio. Most users currently use the S Video
output for nonlinear editing, with excellent results. For its
power, a DVC use lithium ion batteries for longer battery life.
It powers the camera for about an hour's usage.

DV cameras can tor record 12-bit audio (compared with 16-bit
for CD and most nonlinear systems). Some DV cameras offer a
"progressive scan" feature. This records each frame as a single
noninterlaced image, instead of two separate interlaced fields.
Progressive scan source material often does npt play as smoothly
on television as interlaced material, but is vastly superior for
desktop delivery because it contains no interlacing artifacts.
You should look for this feature when buying a DV camera and use
it when filming for desktop delivery.

Many people purchased a DV camcorder as a "disposable" (for
shooting where the camera is at direct risk), or as a second unit
and have been surprised by the results. DV has spawned two
professional variations of the format with backward compatibility
to DV -- DVCPRO from Panasonic and DVCAM from Sony. Both
professional variants offer some advantages in edit capability
but no fundamental change in picture quality.

However, as the camcorders released will, generally, be based
on professional standard chassis and use professional quality
(removable) lenses, the image quality is somewhat higher.
Variations to the digital compressors used may also give quality
variations between brands and subformats. (Gatot)