User Guide

42 Chapter 1 Using DVCPRO HD
Note: Final Cut Pro also supports additional uncompressed high definition formats
using third-party PCI cards. The table above shows only DVCPRO HD formats currently
supported by Final Cut Pro.
Differences Between Standard and High Definition Video
High definition (HD) video has the following distinct advantages over standard
definition (SD) video:
• Higher image quality because of significantly higher horizontal and vertical resolution
• Motion smoothness because of increased frame rates and progressive scanning method
• Widescreen, 16 x 9 aspect ratio versus standard definition with a 4 x 3 aspect ratio
• Eight or more audio channels available for a 5.1 (6-channel) surround sound mix and
a stereo (2-channel) mix all on one tape
• Multiple frame rate and scanning (progressive or interlaced) choices for simple
backward compatibility between HD and SD formats
• Advanced gamma correction circuitry for more film-like light response (not available
in all HD cameras)
When Should I Use High Definition Video?
Choosing production and distribution formats for your project is a critical decision that
will affect you from the first day of shooting to the very last screening. If you are trying
to decide whether or not to use HD video on your next project, here are a few things to
consider:
• High definition video is not a single format, but rather a family of formats that
support a wide variety of frame rates, image sizes, and scanning methods.
• Unlike cameras for SD video formats, HD cameras and VTRs allow you to select image
size and frame rate as necessary. For example, using an SD NTSC camera will restrict
your video to an image size of 720 x 480 pixels and an interlaced frame rate of
29.97 fps. Meanwhile, most HD cameras allow you to choose between several image
sizes (1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720), multiple frame rates (59.94, 29.97, or 23.98 fps) and
progressive or interlaced scanning.
Format
Timebase
(on tape)
Timebase
(in Final Cut Pro)
Source timecode
(in Final Cut Pro)
1080i60 29.97 frames per second
(59.94 fields per second)
29.97 fps 30 fps
720p60 59.94 fps 59.94 fps 30 fps
720p30 59.94 fps
(flagged as 29.97)
29.97 fps 30 fps
720p24 59.94 fps
(flagged as 23.976)
23.98 fps 30 fps
UP01022.Book Page 42 Tuesday, March 23, 2004 7:32 PM