High Definition

High definition (HD) production and recording formats can enhance video images by providing a higher resolution screen and enhanced depth-of-field. All High Definition formats are "wide-screen", a 16:9 ratio is default on all high-definition formats.

There are two choices in vertical "resolution" (how many lines are scanned on the monitor): either 720 or 1080. Both of these resolutions allow either 'progressive' (each line is scanned followed by the next line, like a computer monitor) or else they can be 'interlaced' (every other line is scanned, like conventional TV's do). The frame rate can also be important.

All interlaced video in HD is between 24 and 30 frames per second (fps). Progressive scan is recorded between 50 and 60 fps. The Panasonic DVC-PRO HD can record either interlaced (720 lines) or progressive (1080 lines) and at frame rates between 24 and 60 fps. The Sony HDCAM can also record between 24 and 60 fps, at either the 720 line resolution, or the 1080 resolution.

In summary, High Definition can make your program look better than amazing.