HiDef
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HiDef, short for "high definition," (also called 24P) is a 24 frames-per-second digital video format for high-resolution capture of motion pictures. "24" refers to the frame rate—24 frame/s—and the "p" stands for "progressive image scanning" (as opposed to "interlaced scanning") (Wilt, 2003). As of 2003, there are two 24p HD formats: Sony 24p and Panasonic 24p.
Cameras of this capture depth have been available only since about 2001. Notably, they were used by George Lucas for the production of his second Star Wars prequel, Attack of the Clones. The advantage of shooting with digital-capture cameras is the efficiency in the production process. To edit scenes digitally, no transfer from film to digital is required. Also, if it is projected with a digital projector, no transference to film is required, either.
References
- Wilt, A. (2003, November). 24p dissected. In Technical difficulties. DV, 11, 88.
Actually, Hi-Def refers to the amount of information recorded by the CCD chip (loosely equivalent to resolution), it is independent of frame rate. 24p refers to the capturing of full frames (rather than interlaced fields) using an algorithm to make the video appear as if it were recorded at 24 frames per second (standard film projection speed) as oposed to 30 frames per second(standard rate for video -- or 60 fields per second in interlace mode). Video tape still runs at 30fps . Capturing full frames rather than fields eliminates much of the jumpiness and the jagged edges that give Wedding videos their harshness. This is further enhanced by emulating the 24 frame rate of film. Both Panasonic's AG-DVX100a and Canon's XL2, the most popular entry level "indie" cameras, will record in 24p, but neither of them records in High-Def.