High Definition Video help

Question

i wanted to know if i take video from a camcorder that uses either a hard drive or HDV tape and compress the file using movie maker so by selecting broadband 512 from drop down menu. will it still be HD?

Answer 1

Regardless of where your HD video originates, The High Definition format currently comes in 3 different resolutions: 'full' 1920x1080, HDV storage (1440x1080) and the minimum 1280x720.  In order for video to remain classified as HD, it must remain, at a minimum, in the 1280x720 resolution.

Once the resolution drops below that point, it is no longer HD video.  It will now play as SD video  - usually as as NTSC (720x486), PAL (728x576), or some other resolution like SECAM.  If the video resolution is 'chopped down' even more, it will end up as VGA or webcam type video (640x480).  The standard television signal in the US is NTSC and is sometimes displayed as VGA.

The television broadcast formats of NTSC, PAL, and SECAM have aspect ratios of 4:3, but there are specialized versions for 16:9 or anamorphic displays.  They will either be marked with 16:9 or Anamorphic.  * Anamorphic is not 'true' 16:9, but it is designed to display 16:9 video in a 4:3 area.

If you have to downgrade your video resolution from HD to SD in order for your editing program to work with it, your best bet is to choose a broadcast format (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM) that is specifically designed for the 16:9 aspect ratio or Anamorphic display.  If you only have the standard 4:3 options available, you will need to adjust your camcorder to output your HD video as SD.  Then, you will need to adjust another setting which will correct the 16:9 aspect ratio for displaying in the 4:3 space.  These options are usually Crop, Squeeze, and Anamorphic or Letterbox.  If you want the entire 16:9 view to fit cleanly in the 4:3 area, you will need to choose Anamorphic or Letterbox; otherwise, Crop will the sides of the video and Squeeze will jam the larger video into the smaller area.

The only way to edit your HD video in HD is to upgrade to a higher grade editing program such as Sony Vegas Pro or Avid's Pinnacle Studio (both under $100).