» What is digital video?
» What is high definition video and is this the same as my high definition TV?
» Why would I choose high definition or digital video rather than film?
» What is video compression and why would we do that?

1. What is digital video?
Digital video is a type of video recording system that works by using a digital rather than analog representation of the video signal. This generic term is not to be confused with the name DV, which is a specific type of digital video targeted at the consumer market.

2. What is high definition video and is this the same as my high definition TV?
High-definition (HD) video generally refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition (SD), i.e.NTSC or PAL. High-definition signals require a high-definition television or computer monitor in order to be viewed. High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television broadcasting system with a significantly higher resolution than traditional formats. Red Boots can film and edit in high-definition. We also film in high-definition and edit in digital video so it can be played on standard TV and other formats.

3. Why would I choose high definition or digital video rather than film?
Depending on the size of your production, digital video or high definition video offer fantastic quality at a tenth (or more) of the price of film. Certainly if you are looking to create the next Speilberg film you may want to consider using film, (having said that, more and more big budget films are being shot in high definition video). Film as a medium has inherent limitations, such as difficulty of viewing footage whilst recording, and suffers other problems, caused by poor film development/processing, or poor monitoring systems. Given that there is increasing use of computer-generated or computer-altered imagery in movies, and that editing picture sequences is often done digitally, some directors have shot their movies using the HD format via high-end digital video cameras. Whilst the quality of HD video is very high compared to SD video, and offers improved signal/noise ratios against comparable sensitivity film, film remains able to resolve more image detail than current HD video formats. In addition some film has a wider dynamic range (ability to resolve extremes of dark and light areas in a scene) than even the best HD cameras. Thus the most persuasive arguments for the use of HD are currently cost savings on film stock and the ease of transfer to editing systems for special effects.

4. What is video compression and why would we do that?
Video compression refers to reducing the quantity of data used to represent video images, and this is almost always coupled with the goal of retaining as much of the original's quality as possible. Compressed video can effectively reduce the bandwith required to transmit digital video via terrestrial broadcast, via cable, or via satellite services. Compressing video can be useful if the clip is to be uploaded to a website or added into a powerpoint.