High-Definition (HD) FAQs
UPDATE:
AS OF 2008, ALL OF INDYVISUAL'S HIGH-DEFINITION VIDEOS WILL BE
MASTERED ONTO BLU-RAY DISC INSTEAD OF THE INTERIM WMV-HD FORMAT
REFERENCED BELOW. CHECK FOR UPDATES HERE SOON!
It has long been our objective to
help you relive your wedding day to the fullest by capturing the
details of your day with the latest technology available.
We are excited once again to lead the way by ushering
high-definition (HD) wedding videography into the Indianapolis
market.
New and existing clients can now
upgrade to HD packages in order to ensure a viewing experience
that, combined with 5.1 surround sound, will truly immerse the
couple right back into their special day. Our competitors
and colleagues in the wedding videography industry will also be
given access to our equipment in order to spread the gospel of
HD to their own clients.
Our goal is to ensure that as many
couples as possible, whether they hire us or not, will have the
opportunity to fully enjoy the clarity of HD, and that
ultimately, the bridal community at large will continue to grow
in appreciation for the unique power of professional videography
to preserve the best day of your life.
Rather than rewrite much of the
valuable information that is already widely available on the
internet, we will reprint an excellent article below after
addressing one obvious question:
Can I watch my wedding
video in HD at home already?
Many clients and professionals alike do not realize this yet,
but YES, you can! It is often assumed that HD viewing is
out of reach until the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD format wars end and
the pricing of consumer HD playback equipment falls below $1000.
In reality, you have probably had the capability to watch HD at
home for the last couple of years.
We capture our HD video in the
HDV format, then
use our existing software and workflow to seamlessly edit the
footage and render it out into a format called
WMV-HD. This finished
video is a simple MPEG-2 data file that will fit on today's
DVD-R media and play on your reasonably fast PC or laptop's
Windows Media Player software (9.0 and above). If you have
an HD PC monitor or television with a PC input, you can watch
your wedding video in HD today!
The current Blu-Ray and
HD-DVD players already support the WMV-HD format,
and this compatability is expected to continue as these units become more
accessible to consumers. Of course, if you want the option
of enjoying your video in a standard DVD player and TV, we can
create a standard DVD version of your HD video as well.
Reprinted from
WeddingChannel.com:
What Is
High Definition Anyway?
High Definition (HD) is the highest level of picture quality
available, offering increased image resolution and detail. With
more than twice the pixels (or lines) of resolution than Digital
Video (DV) offers, Hi-Def must be screened on a HDTV (High
Definition TV) for viewers to appreciate the difference in
quality. High Definition Video (HDV) is shot at 1080 pixels,
while Standard Definition uses 480 pixels.
Can You
Say That In English?
The easiest way to understand Hi-Def is to think of widescreen
movies, the inspiration for HDV in the first place. You're at
the megaplex watching a film on a widescreen, or
rectangular-shaped screen. At home, if you have a traditional
standard television set, you're watching a movie or show on a
box, or square-shaped screen, therefore missing out on the extra
action that takes place on the sides (because it has been
clipped or "letterboxed" to fit the square shape). If you have a
HDTV (the newer rectangular shaped TV), often when you view
shows or movies, they are letterboxed (clipped with black on the
sides) because they have not been shot in High Definition Video
yet. One reason why movies at the theater are so much more
captivating is because the screen occupies a greater field of
view, especially peripherally, making you feel like you are
actually there, experiencing the action.
A Little
Perspective
While many shows are not yet shot in HD, they soon will be. In
fact, by 2009, all analog transmissions of television will cease
to operate in the United States. Translation? If you don't have
a digital or Hi-Def TV (or at least a digital tuner), you won't
be able to receive television broadcasts. Times they are a
changing (the last time a major change in TV transmission
standards took place was in the late 1950s, when color was
added).
The
Digital Dish
In a nutshell, anything preceding digital is considered analog,
and there are three main types of digital TV. The first is
Standard Definition (good), which offers basically the same
resolution as the traditional analog system, followed by
Enhanced Definition (better), and the third, High Definition
(best). High Definition is quickly gaining acceptance and is the
future industry standard, with many wedding videographers now
offering it as an option alongside their Standard Definition
videos.
What Are
The Pros of High Definition Video?
Quite simply, clarity and detail. The resolution is outstanding
and breathtaking, like looking through a window. The average
resolution for VHS is 240 pixels, DVD is 430 pixels, Standard
Television is 480 pixels, with HDTV surpassing them all at 1080
pixels. It is the best.
What Are
The Cons of High Definition Video?
From a pure visual and aesthetic perspective, there are no cons.
However, the equipment is still relatively more expensive for
studios and consumers to acquire, even though it is becoming
more and more affordable by the day. But because of this extra
cost, many videographers have not yet adopted the new technology
and do not yet know how to use the new equipment, as the HD
cameras are far more advanced so there is a slight learning
curve involved. Those who have, may not have mastered it yet.
For instance, if a videographer isn't that familiar with the
technology yet, it can be harder for him/her to shoot in low
light, but with proper and good lighting conditions, you can see
significantly more detail from HD video than is possible from
Standard Definition. Also, weddings shot with HDV cameras are
normally distributed as traditional video on standard DVDs at
this time, since HD-DVDs and HD-DVD players are just now
becoming available (as of April 2006).
So Why
Should You Consider It?
Essentially, because you may be future-proofing your wedding
video. Imagine watching your parents' wedding video now. Do you
even still have a VCR to play a VHS tape? Just as this format
has all but become obsolete, Standard Definition might someday
be as well. Those of us lucky enough to be getting married right
now have landed in this awkward in-between technology phase.
Many videography studios are starting to offer Hi-Def but many
still aren't. If you have your wedding video shot in Standard
Definition, you won't be able to take advantage of the higher
resolution and detail, but a videographer may be easier to
find. Ultimately, the decision is yours – and now that we’ve
given you the skinny, you can make the best choice for you.
