Is high-definition footage taking over Canadian video production?

Is high-definition footage taking over Canadian video production?

The first official high-definition public television broadcast took place in the United States in 1996, after several test runs. Since then, the HD market, including video-production products and media available, have only been increasing.

High-definition in the beginning

Did you know that in Europe, HD television was introduced as early as the late 1930s? It wasn't HD television as it’s seen today, but it was better than what anyone had previously. In 1949, France introduced a high definition system that actually would be high definition by today's standards, at 768i. HD televisions as we know them today first hit the market in 1998.

HD television is broadcast digitally, as opposed to other signals that are broadcast analog. THe signals broadcast digitally have greater lineal resolution, allowing for more detail, smoother motion as well as bright colours.

You may have previously seen commercials for television stations in the United States that were trying to get consumers prepared for the switch to a digital signal as opposed to analog. In Canada, the switch is dated for the end of 2011, when analog televisions will be obsolete without additional hardware, like a digital converter. When HD signals are broadcast to analog televisions, they don’t offer the same quality as the digital signal. However, as more people switch over they’ll begin to notice a stark difference.

High-definition is far more than just television broadcasting

High-definition is far more than merely television broadcasting, as there are numerous other formats for it as well. It can be used for video recording and distribution, as evidenced by Blu-Ray DVDs and systems. HD recording devices such as HD-capable video cameras are also becoming more readily available and affordable.

HD video recording as also rumored to be available on the next iPhone system and HDV (the format for recording HD on tape) is set to make HD recording more available for the average video producer, whether they are professional or amateur. This digital format also makes it possible for original content to be reproduced without loss of quality or degradation.

Another important issue for professionals in the film or television making industry or those who need to create marketing videos or educational videos, is that HD works far better and is much more compatible with surround sound systems, similar to what you'd experience in a movie theatre. High-definition will provide those watching any video footage with an optimal experience.

High-definition is certainly poised for global domination. However, this is hardly a bad thing because of the affordable and widely available video production options that are developing within the industry. As the technology becomes more familiar, the costs of these options, as well as HD televisions, will come down even more.

Click editing, duplication and video transfers services for more information.

The Importance of Video Editing

Editing is one of the most important components of the entire film industry and professional video production. It is no coincidence that there is an Academy Award category for editing, and it can drastically alter and improve the quality of the whole film in question. Editing, or how the video is finally assembled and put together, can make all the difference in any video production.

The difference editing can make

Imagine videotaping a wedding with no editing whatsoever. You'll have a finished product that looks like any home movie and can’t become much more than something to amuse family members with. It might be all over the place with no flow at all and that starts and stops anytime the event calls for a change in location or angle.

Now imagine you've had a professional editor have a go at the wedding video. After the video is properly edited, it flows, doesn't waste time panning from shot to shot because it cuts to different shots and locations seamlessly and it even might include voiceovers and separate interviews with family, who can reminisce about the couple and how they met. Now, it’s a keepsake that can be offered to anyone who attended the event for a small price. And, thanks to the professional video editing - they’ll be happy to pay for it.

Imagine what this editing process can do in the professional film production industry or for those producing videos for eventual distribution. The editing process allows for the best possible outcome of a film or professional video production, and it allows the creators to ensure that the finished product is as it was intended.

Editing also serves to preserve continuity throughout a shoot as well as help strengthen the integrity of the story.

Professional film editing

The film editing process has come a long way and is no longer done by people sitting in a dark room cutting and slicing film together. Much more efficient and valuable editing can be done now on computers where unwanted shots can be removed, audio retouching is completed, transitions are added and effects, credits and titles are incorporated.

Professional video editing will add a serious sense of professionalism to any project and turn your video production into a valuable product, whether it’s an instructional video, an interview, a seminar, and educational video, a marketing video, a testimonial, a presentation or a theatrical video.

Why have video tape transferred to digital formats?

It's time - video tapes are no longer relevant
Technology is constantly changing and evolving. What was once the norm - like video tapes - are continuously being replaced by new technology that’s smarter, higher-quality and more versatile. Digital format has become the new norm and will be here to stay for quite a while.
Very few retail stores are selling video or cassette tapes anymore. And if they do, it’s very likely that in just a few more years no one at all will be selling them or the devices that play them, such as VCRs.
Individuals are switching to using digital formats to record their own home movies, and video tape is becoming outdated and unusable for professional video producers.

Video tapes deteriorate

Despite the fact that you may have a large collection of video tapes and a device on which to play them, this won’t always be the case. A video tape may appear to look and work just fine, but one day you’ll likely pop it into the VCR and find that it no longer works at all.
On average, a standard video tape has a lifespan of only ten years. This lifespan is just mere age from sitting on a shelf, and is not dependent on the amount of times you watch a video. When you actually use and watch the video, this lifespan is shortened and it can wear out the tape faster.
A lot of skill and attention is needed to properly preserve film or video tape. Finding the means to repair them or replace portions of the video cassette or device on which it is played is currently difficult and will eventually be impossible.

Digital formats offer so much more

For individuals, it means protecting those once-in-a-lifetime moments forever and being able to watch them again and again in the highest quality format available.
For professionals, it means producing work of a far superior quality as well as the higher ease of multiplication and distribution. Reproduction of digital formats also does not result in a loss of quality as it does with video tape.

Video tape is:
• easily damaged, ripped and worn out.
• constantly losing quality just by sitting around.
• degrades as it is watched, rewound and fast-forwarded.
• erasable and can be recorded over accidentally.
• technology from last century.

Digital video is:
• Smaller, easier to handle and much more convenient to store.
• doesn't lose quality ever - not over time, and not after being watched thousands of times.
• Lasts essentially forever.
• Permanent and cannot be recorded over accidentally.
• The new and standard technology of this century.

By transferring your video tape to digital format, you increase its lifespan indefinitely and make it much easier to share it with those who matter most.

Operating a steadicam: tips and tricks

A steadicam is a mounted video camera that allows for the taking of unshaken and more stable footage without using complicated dollies or tracks. It prevents the unavoidable hand shakes from even the most talented camera operators during fast-paced shots or filming that requires a fluid movement on the part of the camera operator. Essentially, it's a harness that attaches the camera to the operator, or a camera that is attached to a a bar with a handle. This bar differs from a standard tripod as is allows for much swifter movement. Several notable scenes in famous films have employed a steady cam, including when Danny rides his tricycle around the hotel in The Shining, as well as countless other films and television shows that have used long, uninterrupted single-camera shots. Whether for commercial video production, educational video production, marketing video production or online video production, a steadicam can incorporate a more professional tone as well as a creative effect for nearly all forms of video production.

Here are some tips for operating a steadicam:

• Protection: steadicam differ in size and complexity from regular cameras. In inclement weather, they need protection like any other lens but this can be difficult because handling a tarp can become cumbersome while holding onto the camera. A well-fitted harness will prevent wind from affecting the stability of the camera, and shields will protect from rain if using a tarp is too difficult. The shield should be attached in the direction of the wind, and this is especially helpful during event video production, where the venue is not changeable despite the weather.

• Planning: conduct a few walkthroughs of scenes with the steadicam to best determine the appropriate angles and how the footage will look in the end. By planning out where everything will be, no one involved in the project will be tripping over each other and the footage will be as smooth as possible. In addition to the above, having a colleague guide you so you don't trip over or bump into anything while walking backwards will allow the camera operator to focus on the shot itself and not be distracted by their surroundings.

• Practice: operating a steadicam is often likened to ballroom dancing with regards to the precise and delicate footwork involved. Because your body is controlling much of the camera, practice walking around with your hands behind your back and focus on the movement of the rest of your body. This will give you a better understanding of how your movement affects the shot.

• Study: study your own shots and other shots that use steadicams. Pan around an area and have an actor walk into the shot once in a while. Watching other films that make use of steadicams will help you gain some insight into how they are used, and E-bay and Amazon are full of DVDs and books that teach effective steadicam operation for all forms of video production. Many cities also have courses and workshops that can help you hone your budding filmmaker skills.

• Balancing: balancing is potentially the most important aspect of operating a steadicam, and a properly balanced steadicam allows for more precise operation. Because the steadicam is a heavy object on top of a tall pole, the weight of the camera may pose problems and the unit as a whole must be properly balanced. The "pole" is called a sled, and the handle that slides up and down the sled is called the gimbal. When the gimbal is moved higher or lower, it changes the speed at which the camera moves forward and backward. The weight of the camera combined with the weights of the monitor and battery pack at the base of the sled (which looks like an upside down "T", with the battery and monitor at opposite ends of the smaller line on the “T”) can affect how balanced it is and may require some adjustments. Additionally, small weights called “pilots” can be screwed on at different ends of the sled to help balance it more.

For further reading on static balancing, dynamic balancing and the formulas for both, check out: Steadicam Balancing

What is the difference between Duplication and Replication?

Duplication and replication are two words that often seem to have very similar meanings. However, when referring to CD and DVD production, replication and duplication both define two different processes that are used to make copies of an original CD, DVD or file.

Replication is most often a professional process, molding the disk using a glass master which “stamps” the blank media to create an exact copy. One could imagine a copy machine, using a master piece of paper to product a high quantity of exact copies.

Duplication is the process you speak of when you refer to “burning” a disk. A laser is used to etch the data onto the surface of the CD or DVD, and this can be done in very small quantities using home computers and special software. As replication can be compared to a copy machine, duplication can be compared to an ink jet printer, creating an entire new copy each and every time. A replicated CD is moulded to be an exact copy, and this is what kind of disk you would purchase if you were buying your favourite artists new album or a new movie on DVD from a retail location.

Contrary to some popular belief, CDs and DVDs are not like videotapes where information is "lost" as it is when VHS tapes are copied onto new, blank VHS tapes. The data integrity of both replication and duplication technologies is completely equal. While the copying process is different in each case, the finished product is exactly the same with regards to quality.

Choosing between CD or DVD duplication and replication can depend on the needed turnaround time and project budget, as well as the quantity of disks that is required. Duplication for example, is a good choice for lesser amounts of rush projects, demos or promotional campaigns, while replication is best suited for larger quantities, mass commercial video or audio production or retail purposes.

Whichever method is chosen for CD and DVD replication or CD and DVD duplication services, using a professional service will ensure that every CD and DVD is of the highest quality and reliability possible. Professional services also offer more durable products of a higher standard, and will also allow for professionally-designed CD or DVD packaging, CD or DVD printing and CD or DVD labeling.

Azure Production Inc. Moving to a new location in February 2010

Hello,

I'm please to announce that we are moving to a larger location at Broadview and Danforth on February 1, 2010. Please visit our website for more information.

Burning Dual layer DVDs

Have you ever wondered why 8.5GB DVDs Dual layers causes more errors during burning than the regular 4.GB DVDs?

In order to reduce your chances of a error burn, you can reduce your burning speed to 2X. You should also copy your content onto your hard drive before burning dual layer DVDs.

For more information about CD DVD Duplication visit us here