Standard Definition vs High Definition

Podcasting videos wouldn’t even require Standard Definition broadcasting equipment let alone High Definition broadcasting equipment. However, I use Standard Definition equipment for the sake of colour. There is a very big different in the colour of a single chip consumer camcorder vs. a standard definition three chip camcorder (3CCD). The essential difference is that a single chip camcorder processes all three fundamental colours (Red Green Blue) with one prism/chip whereas a 3CCD camcorder uses one prism/chip for each fundamental colour. The result is more saturation of colour and a brighter picture (3 chips can absorb more light than only one).

Truth be told, High Def is more sensitive to light than 3CCD and thus has an even better picture than Standard Definition. The pixels per inch are much higher as well… with 1080 pixels width vs. the standard 720 pixels width. The advantage here is a less grainy picture that allows you to create post-production stills or enlargements with no visible loss in resolution. However, High Def does have its drawbacks… for one it is significantly more expensive, it cannot be captured with the same basic firewire port on your pc like Standard Definition and if your producing for online use, you won’t see a different unless you’re employing special effects or animations (post-production zooms, etc.) All in all, I’d love to use High Definition gear, but until I’m making broadcasting on satellite television or in theaters, I’m not investing in it.