FAQs: GENERAL | HD MEDIA | BLU-RAY | DESIGN GUIDELINES
01. What is HD?
02. How is HD material distributed?
03. What is required to see an HD picture?
04. Can Standard Definition Video be turned into High Definition video?
05. Is all HD the same?
06. When is HD appropriate for a production?
07. My content was shot on film, how will it look in HD?
FAQ 01: What is HD?
High Definition (HD) is a new video standard that has up to four times the resolution of Standard Definition (SD) video. More pixels means greater clarity and image quality even on larger screens. To put it in digital camera terms, a Standard Definition picture is roughly 0.35 megapixels. Compare this to High Definition's 2 megapixel resolution and the advantage becomes clear.
While any video with a resolution of at least 720 pixels by 1280 pixels can officially be called "HD," the three most common flavors of HD are 720p (720x1280), 1080i and 1080p (1080x1920).
FAQ 02: How is HD material distributed?
There are three basic ways for your HD content to reach an audience.
1. Broadcast (HDTV)
Via cable, satellite, or over-the-air, TV networks broadcast in both 720p and 1080i using video compression. Many local channels broadcast over-the-air signals in HD as well. Cine-O-Matic uses professional-grade encoders to prepare content for HD broadcast.
2. Internet/Digital Distribution
The majority of computer monitors have a much higher resolution than televisions of the same screen size, so many computer monitors are capable of displaying HD video files. These can be distributed via computer networks, DVD-ROM discs or the internet. Movie trailers are available to watch in HD on various sites and companies like Microsoft and Apple have HD content available for download and/or streaming.
3. High-Definition Optical Disc (Blu-ray)
Much like a DVD, Blu-ray discs are replicated (manufactured) and distributed in disc cases. Offering the greatest level of interactivity, they allow the viewer to pause, rewind and fast-forward the video. Menus, special features, commentary tracks and subtitles are also possible. Unlike DVD, the Blu-ray can display unmatched HD pictures quality. Blu-ray also offers other advantages like interactive graphics (pop-up) menus, button animations, and sound effects.
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FAQ 03: What is required to see an HD picture?
Three elements are required to view an HD picture. Viewers must have some combination of the following to display your HD content:
1. An HD source
A High Definition workflow starts before a single frame is shot. Whether you shoot on film or with an HD camera, to produce an HD video you must first utilize a camera capable of HD image resolutions. As the video passes through post-production and compression image resolution and quality must be maintained.
2. HD Distributed Video
Broadcast high definition video (HDTV), via satellite or cable, requires an HD capable receiver (set top box), or an ATSC tuner (HD tuner). Component and HDMI video cables are required to send an HD picture to your HDTV set as well.
Blu-ray discs require their own set-top players. Standard DVD players are not capable of playing Blu-ray discs.
3. An HD TV
A Standard Definition TV is not capable of receiving or displaying HD video. One must have a High Definition TV to view actual HD video. Some computer monitors are capable of displaying HD video as well.
Note: HD TVs are capable of displaying Standard Definition video, but do so by resizing and/or "zooming in" on the picture to fill the screen.
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FAQ 04: Can Standard Definition Video be turned into HD video?
Yes. Standard Definition Video can be "up-converted" to display at HD resolutions. Many HD TVs have built-in processors to up-convert SD video "on the fly" but up-converted Standard Definition video can never match the image quality of a native HD image. There are two key factors that determine the image quality of a SD video up-converted to HD:
1. The image quality of the original Standard Definition Video.
2. The sophistication of the up-converter.
Cine-O-Matic offers a variety of upconversion solutions. Contact us to discuss which solution would work best for your next HD project.
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FAQ 05: Is all HD the same?
Just as with Standard Definition, not all HD is created equal. HD image quality is a sum of: the source video, the compression bitrate, the quality of the encoder, and the HD display. Sacrifice in any of these areas will result in a lower quality image.
FAQ 06: When is HD appropriate for a production?
Content shot in Standard Definition video in general will see no benefit from distributing in HD formats. Content shot in HD or on film can take full advantage of Blu-ray disc and HDTVs. The shooting, editing, and post-production of HD material requires specialized equipment. The intended audience and end product should be taken into consideration before making the choice to shoot or distribute in HD. Many filmmakers and content producers will shoot and edit in HD but distribute Standard Definition DVD's. This allows them to reach the greatest size audience today and redistribute the content in HD tomorrow.
FAQ 07: My content was shot on film, how will it look in HD?
A direct comparison of film to HD is not possible, but "Academy" 35 mm film is estimated to have roughly twice the resolution of HD's 1080x1920 resolution. Even Super 16 mm film surpasses HD resolutions.
In short, the majority of professional film content produced in the last 80 years has a sufficient image resolution to look amazing in HD. This includes feature films, television shows, and documentaries. Call Cine-O-Matic for the details of bringing your film to HD.
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