New High Def Video Format Coming Soon

[xarir]

For anyone interested, I came across a news item stating that a new consumer-grade high definition video format is on the way. This new format will enable a new generation of high definition camcorders. (Currently in Canada there's only one consumer level high def camera available. It's made by JVC and runs around $4000.)

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/09/30/hdv/index.php?redirect=1064951023000


Consumer high-definition video format due soon
By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service
September 30, 2003 7:05 am ET


Four Japanese electronics companies are planning to publish detailed specifications for a consumer high-definition digital video format in October, they said Tuesday.

The companies, Canon Inc., Sharp Corp., Sony Corp., and Victor Company of Japan Ltd. (JVC), got together earlier this year to produce the basic specifications for the format, which has been given the tentative name of HDV.

Based on the DV and MiniDV formats used in many consumer camcorders and digital video equipment, HDV also has numerous features common to both, such as the same cassette tape, tape speed and track pitch. That means it can use some of the same mechanical components already in production today for DV and MiniDV devices.

Video is recorded in MPEG2 (Motion Pictures Expert Group) and the system supports both 720 horizontal line progressive scan, with 1,280 vertical pixels, or 1,080-horizontal line interlaced scan video, with 1,440 vertical pixels, both at widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. Video data rates after compression are around 19M bps (bits per second) for 720p video and 25M bps for 1080i video, the companies said in a statement.

After publishing basic specifications in July this year, the group said it has already received a number of expressions of support for the standard including from: Adobe Systems Inc., Canopus Co. Ltd., KDDI R&D Laboratories, Sony Pictures Digital Networks and Ulead Systems Inc.

The four companies plan to release detailed specifications of the format, called HDV, sometime in October, they said in a statement.

 

[djk]

Is it safe to say some of you guys are Apple owners.

If so, one question. Should I buy a G4 or wait for the G5's to drop in price.

I'll be using the computer for internet, office work and some online/offline games.

Right now, I have a P4 1.7ghz, 256 RDRAM, Windows XP.. I'm looking for something that will match or exceed the performance on my current machine, minus all the Windows bullshit.

Thanks!

Cheers,

-djk

 

[djk]

Hey, I've been quoted twice on As the Apple Turns! LOL

As for the question of G4 or G5, it does depend upon what you what to do with it.

The downside to the G5 is a) first generation of most Apple products have a kink or two to be worked out
b) there are NO 64 bit programmes available, including the OS
c) MacAddict has reported that the G5 crashes and burns on some G4 specific code in some tested programmes.
d) only 2 internal drives

On the upside the G5 is a) wickedly fast. Oh man
b) has serial ATA drives, and if you put in a pair of Preditor drives with a level 0 RAID, you are one happy camper.
c) RAM, 8 GIGS of RAM. Enough RAM to have a one Gig Ram disk or more
d) did I mention it is the fastest personal computer on the planet?

But for the 'net and gaming, I recommend that you stick to a G4

I have a dual processor 1.25 (mirrored drive doors, Firewire 800) and am very happy with the machine. Get an extra 512 (or more) of RAM, and if you have the bucks, I would put in a second 60 gig drive and run a 1 RAID using the built in software.

Warcraft III and UT 2k3 are very nice games to play on this machine.

If you have not purchased a Mac before and are in the GTA, I can point you to a couple of resellers. Do NOT go to Best Buy/Future Shop for your Mac purchases.

Thank you for the great advice.

I'm familar with Red Tag Computers. What other mac retailers would you suggest?

Cheers,

-djk

 

[Alucard]

so this new format... I guess this just means you get to watch stuff with better resolution....why do I need better resolution again ? whats wrong with the current format ?

 

[djk]

Depends upon where you are. Red Tag is now a division of CPUSED. Macdoc is great for used/customized equipment, but being a one man show means that he sometimes forgets to do things. Like order your computer for you.

Try Carbon Computing. Wide selection, decent service. www.carbonation.com

Thanks for the suggestion.

I have another question. Does the Apple OS and programs for it natively use the dual processor support or is it a feature for special optimized programs?

You've been a big help.

Cheers,

-djk

 

[xarir]

Hmm - seems my video thread has turned into a Macintosh thread. Oh well. BTW - I too mourn the passing of Clarus the dogcow.

djk - Mac OS X takes advantage of dual processors. Most Mac applications also benefit from the dual processors, but obviously the optimized programs do so to the full extent.

On the hardware side, the G5 is a great machine but in real world tests it's actually not that much faster than the dual G4 @ 1.42GHz. I've got a dual 1GHz setup and it is adequate for my needs (I do video editing with Final Cut Pro). Naturally there is no such thing as a computer that's fast enough, but for my tastes I think the G4s are fast enough for most people. Another thing to take into account as others have pointed out is internal storage. The G4 can handle 4 internal drives and 2 optical drives. For some people, this is important. (I'm currently running 3 hard drives - 80GB, 120GB and 200GB)

Another thing to keep in mind that when the G5s were unveiled, Steve Jobs (Apple's CEO) clearly stated that the plan was to ramp the G5 systems up to 3GHz within 12 months. SO the current 2GHz systems are more or less out of date even though they've just been released.

 

[xarir]

so this new format... I guess this just means you get to watch stuff with better resolution....why do I need better resolution again ? whats wrong with the current format ?

There's nothing wrong with the current format; it's just that high def is better. A high definition picture is exactly that - it's clearer, sharper and more life-like than a standard definition TV picture.

 

[Alucard]

but in the end it means your paying for something you don't need

 

[xarir]

but in the end it means your paying for something you don't need

Not really. Most television is currently broadcast in standard definition. But some programming is broadcast in high def. The US in fact, has mandated that a certain percentage of programming must be in high def, and in a few years all programming is supposed to be HD. You've probably seen TVs on sale that are "HDTV ready"; well, that's why.

HD is coming (slowly) - there's no question about that. In a few years you won't be able to buy a standard def TV. Have you tried buying a record lately? It's possible, but it's not easy. CDs are everywhere now. HDTV will be the same - eventually it will eclipse SD to the point that SD will no longer be available.

 

[Alucard]

exactly... paying for something that is not needed

 

[djk]

Hmm - seems my video thread has turned into a Macintosh thread. Oh well. BTW - I too mourn the passing of Clarus the dogcow.

djk - Mac OS X takes advantage of dual processors. Most Mac applications also benefit from the dual processors, but obviously the optimized programs do so to the full extent.

On the hardware side, the G5 is a great machine but in real world tests it's actually not that much faster than the dual G4 @ 1.42GHz. I've got a dual 1GHz setup and it is adequate for my needs (I do video editing with Final Cut Pro). Naturally there is no such thing as a computer that's fast enough, but for my tastes I think the G4s are fast enough for most people. Another thing to take into account as others have pointed out is internal storage. The G4 can handle 4 internal drives and 2 optical drives. For some people, this is important. (I'm currently running 3 hard drives - 80GB, 120GB and 200GB)

Another thing to keep in mind that when the G5s were unveiled, Steve Jobs (Apple's CEO) clearly stated that the plan was to ramp the G5 systems up to 3GHz within 12 months. SO the current 2GHz systems are more or less out of date even though they've just been released.

Thanks for the excellent advice.

Hmm, I'm probably going to seriously start considering them in the next few months. I doubt they'll be another price drop by then but here's to good luck!

One last question - I've been a windows user for life. Started with DOS 3.11, I remember upgrading to DOS 4.1 and being blown away by dosshell!

I really have no idea how to use a mac, how the OS handles startup files (I believe they're called extensions for mac), where programs go, etc.

What's a really good book that explains to new mac users everything about mac OS X but it's not dumbed down for those computer illiterate users.

I went to chapters and all I found was books catering to imac users, heh!

Thanks again,

-djk

 

[xarir]

CPUsed has a decent selection of Mac books. The thing to remember with OS X though is that it's UNIX with a fancy interface on top. So to learn OS X ultimately is to learn UNIX. To that end, here's a list of books which may be useful:

http://www.wap.org/journal/unixonmacosx.html

 

[djk]

Extnesions are a thing of the past. Replaced by daemons (unix background programs) and in a few rare cases kernel extentions.

As for a good intro book, try David Pogue's OS X The Missing Manual, available at Chapter and Indigo, but cheaper if you get it from them by mail order. Many Windows user found it easier switching to OS X than long time Mac users. If you want other suggestions let me know.

As for timing your purchase, there several well known times when Apple releases new product and it's good to not buy right before if you don't have to. These are MacWorld San Fransisco in January; the World Wide Developers Conference in June, and the major AV conference. (they do also release products at other times) So if you're thinking of buying December it could be very good to wait till mid-January.

I'll check that book out this weekend at Chapters. I heard a rumor that Steve Jobs might annouce the G5 3.0ghz models at Macworld SF causing a price drop on the older G5's.

If that turns out to be true, I'll definately give the G5's a serious look.

Thanks again!

Cheers,

-djk

 

[Alucard]

what the heck do you need all that speed for anyway ? most games don't even require over a 1 ghz to play

 

[djk]

what the heck do you need all that speed for anyway ? most games don't even require over a 1 ghz to play

The way I see it. It's like buying clothes for a child. Sure, they fit a little big today but in the upcoming years they'll end up being a perfect fit.

I want my computer to be able to handle my needs for it for a few years. Sure, it won't be top of the line two years from now but if i'm still able to run top of the line applications at a decent speed, it'll be worth it to me.

Cheers,

-djk