BBC HD to Launch Saturday 1st December

I've heard this. Not sure why though. The higher range HDV cameras like the JVC ProHD range and the Canon XL/XH range produce some stunning images.

It's the tape format that is the main limiting factor. It is based on 25Mbs MPEG2 - which whilst excellent for first generation viewing - has so many artefacts inherent it doesn't have the quality required to properly survive through the post production and broadcast chain in the way that other HD formats can, and so it is included in the SD bracket for material that should only be used sparingly. Whilst the first generation pictures from a decent HDV camera can look stunning - the accepted view is that the pictures don't survive the broadcast chain as well as those captured on higher end cameras. As HD is currently about picture quality - the compromises shooting on HDV entail are not acceptable to broadcasters like the BBC and Discovery for entire programmes - unless there is a VERY good reason. (Budget isn't usually one of them - though the inability to get shots using larger cameras might be)

There are situations where HDV cameras can be used where HDCam and DVCProHD cameras can't - where size is an issue, though there are now higher quality solid state solutions available that use better compression.

For info - HDCamSR uses 440/880Mbs, HD-D5 around 270Mbs, HDCam around 180Mbs, DVCProHD around 100Mbs. HD-D5 isn't available as a camcorder format, and HDCamSR dockable recorders are really 35mm film camera replacements, not DigiBeta replacements!

There are also AVCHD and Infinity recorders from Panasonic and GrassValley, and the XDCam HD range from Sony, which use lower data rates than the above - though I think all are considered better than HDV.

The BBC mainly use HDV camcorders in SD DVCam mode for SD productions - as they are capable of delivering better quality 16:9 SD pictures than SD MiniDV and small format DVCam native devices (which usually have SD 4:3 chips and crop for 16:9) However the BBC don't recommend shooting on HDV unless you can avoid it - as the compression scheme mean a dropout can take out 8-12 frames rather than just a single frame.

HDV uses the same data rate as SD miniDV/DVCPro/DVCam - but uses inter-frame rather than intra-frame compression - i.e. it compresses more than one frame at a time, and bases one frames compression on the frames either side. As a result fast moving scenes, camera pans and zooms, can really stress the compression system - causing blocking or softening. Not an issue for home movies - but the artefacts introduce can be exacerbated by grading in post production, and they can reduce the efficiency of the other compression stages (broadcast server caching, distribution and broadcast) compared to higher quality, less compressed codecs.

All that said about the tape format - even the high-end HDV camcorders usually suffer from relatively low-cost lenses (even interchangeables) and sensors, and have fewer of the required controls over matrix, gamma, aperture correction, lift and gain, low/mid/highlight colour balance etc. when compared to higher end HD models. This isn't unique to HDV - some of the 1/2" XDCam HD models also cause concern.

Most in the industry really think that 2/3" sensors are still the minimum for good quality HD (and many regret that the original 1" sensor Sony models didn't take off - as they delivered fantastic quality). Sensor size is important for a number of reasons. Obviously sensitivity is an issue as smaller sensors have smaller sampling sites (aka pixel sites) and so can capture less light per pixel (meaning that they can be noisier, particularly in low light) Also, the smaller the sensor, the more issues you have with creatively controlling depth of field using lens/aperture settings etc.

I wonder if we can expect "This programme is available on BBC HD" from the announcer before Strictly and all the others on BBC1. They've never done that before have they?

No - they haven't done this before, because the HD service was a trial, and to promote it on the main services would have been potentially misleading, as there was no guarantee the service would continue past the end of the trial.

They will have to be careful if they try an "avaiable in HD" announcement - as shows are not always simulcast. ISTR that the Joseph or Maria results show on Saturday was delayed on BBC HD and not simulcast.

I suspect it would be safer done as part of the SD channel's continuity announcement? (Particularly on recorded shows which may not always be repeated in HD simulcast)

There are also very few BBC HD trails on BBC HD - with the gaps between simulcasts usually filled by the barker. Suspect this will change now - though I hope they don't go ECP mad on BBC HD...

Other option would be to have a "Produced in HD" label somewhere - though the only nice place is in the closing credits. (Unless the BBC blocks in the opening titles were BBC HD blocks? Of course doing this may lead people with HD Ready TVs watching BBC One SD to think they were getting HD - as many in the US watching SD on their HDTVs apparently think when they see an HD logo on the opening of US shows)

When Match Of The Day Live was shown on BBC HD during the trial period, a caption would appear and the presenter would say that the match is available to watch in high definition just before the commentators began speaking.

I think that was a decision taken locally within BBC Sport rather than corporately though.

I would expect the big push for promoting BBC HD to co-incide with Freesat, which will include HD capable receivers. At the moment the Beeb would effectively be promoting Sky and Virgin Media if they heavily plug BBC HD - as they are effectively the two routes to get receivers that normal people would use. (I realise that it is possible to buy FTA HD receivers from Pace, Humax, Fortec etc. but these won't have Red Button support, nor will they have consistent EPGs)

What about JVC's Pro HD though, its better than HDV but worse than HDcam etc. The only reason I ask is that I've been thinking about getting this...

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=jvc_gy-hd110e

Which is a JVC ProHD camera, and whilst I doubt I'll ever make anything good enough for BBC HD it'd be nice to know I could if I wanted.

It would be great if the announcers did promote HD. ISTR they did with Widescreen when Sky Digital launched, they certainly did with NICAM stereo and of course famously the word Colour appeared beneath the BBC 1 and 2 symbols in the 70s (and 80s?).

Just did before Strictly Come Dancing.

I have one of those very cameras. A brilliant camera, and a step above other cameras which are much more expensive. But ProHD is just a product line i believe, it still uses the same HDV format as all the other cameras in the price range. It also only films in 720p as opposed to the 1080i the other cameras do. Must admit though because of the brilliant fujinon lens on it, i've managed to get much better pictures out of it than the Canon XH-A1 and Sony Z1 which are both 1080i. Plus since it has a proper fujinon lens, it has proper manual lens controls.

I suppose the major difference is you can shoot in 24p with it. That's probably the big ProHD selling thing.

Anyway back on topic

AIUI JVC's ProHD uses the same codec and tape format as other HDV camcorders, but allows for 24p recording.

Same problems with heavy compression, and the front-ends are OK for consumer/prosumer applications, but the sensors are too small (1/3" is tiny, 1/2" is marginal, with most people deeming 2/3" the minimum for decent creative control AIUI), lenses too low quality, and range of user controls too limited to be deemed anywhere near "HD broadcast quality".

(*) Won't stop cheapskate broadcasters using them though...;

2W actually did a cross-promo to BBC HD into The Company tonight.

Something along the lines of "If you've got HD and would like to see this programme in crystal clear quality, why not switch over to BBC HD and watch it".