HD - High Definition

HD in action


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The above example shows the difference in quality between HD and SD.

The first two frames are from a shoot in Italy on both formats – the difference even on an average computer screen is pronounced.

The second example illustrates how, if delivering on SD, segments of a full HD frame can be used as alternative shots without any loss of quality.


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Skyworks programmes are now available on DVD from Halsgrove

Skyworks shoots in top-end High Definition. Sony’s new HDCAM SR field recorder and the Cineflex aerial camera system provide the ultimate aerial package of stability, portability and picture quality.

High Definition is now being used more and more in the world of television, as the number of broadcasters transmitting it increases. Once seen it is hard to go back to Standard Definition – the difference in quality is dramatic, particularly with aerial images where there is so much detail in each frame. HD resolution is five times better than SD. In the world of films and commercials, once the preserve of 35mm, High Definition is increasingly being chosen as the shooting medium, since it offers a more practical, flexible and cost effective method of achieving imagery that is comparable in quality to film. Even when a film or commercial is shot on 35mm, it is still better to shoot the aerials on High Definition, due to the exceptional stability, quality and flexibility of the gimbal – the images can later be seamlessly converted to 35mm.

Advantages of using HD

1. The picture quality is exceptional, even when transmitted in SD on Digibeta.
   
   
2. The stability of the new aerial camera system from Cineflex is much better than its SD and film counterparts.
   
   
3. The lenses available have to be of the highest quality in order to maximise the detail in the HD image.
   
   
4. In the SD world, the extraordinary resolution of HD gives the ability in post-production to zoom in to a fifth of the HD screen and still maintain a quality at least equal to SD. (A direct benefit is that one wide shot will provide a number of closer ones in the edit).
   
   
5. There is a huge amount of information in the picture which allows great latitude when grading, whilst keeping the quality comparable to 35mm.
   
   
6. There are a number of frame rate options and a choice of shooting progressive or interlaced – the HD aerial system is truly flexible.