Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
DV was just the sort of technology the world wanted desperately. Finally, a
low-cost, lossless, high quality camera/editing solution had arrived. This exact
same technology forms the basis of Firewire editing systems today - only the
deck or camera is usually connected to a computer rather than editing from
camera to deck or vice versa.
When using a DV Firewire-based editing system you can work with either a
camera or deck - providing the deck/camera has both Firewire 'in' and 'out.'
The advantages of having a deck are (i) you don't beat up your camera every
time you capture footage (ii) a deck offers other features such as different
inputs, the ability to work with large or small size tapes, a large time-code
display, a jog/shuttle wheel and often a built-in edit controller. More recent
formats use solid-state media and therefore have no moving parts.
Video Formats
The world we live in operates with several different video formats.
DV-NTSC applies to the USA, Japan and many other parts of the world; whereas
DV-PAL is used throughout most of Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. There are
other formats such as SECAM which is used in France, Russia and North Africa,
and variations on PAL and NTSC are used in South America. However, PAL and
NTSC remain the dominant formats.
If you are working with HDV the standard for the USA and the rest of the
'NTSC world' is 60i. If you are working with HDV in the 'PAL world' the
standard is 50i.
Final Cut Pro is geared to edit everything from DV to standard and high definition
video. It is also capable of film production.
Television Aspect Ratio
Another consideration is whether the footage you are working with has been
filmed in widescreen anamorphic - 16:9, or standard television format - 4:3.
Do not confuse letterbox (cropped 4:3) with true widescreen. Many consumer
cameras do not offer a true widescreen anamorphic mode of operation.
However, many offer a cropped 4:3 letterbox setting.
