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HDV and the Sony FX1

After testing Sony’s HDR-FX1, I’m an HDV believer. It’s not the second coming of DV, but it can be extremely useful in a number of circumstances, including when you need to down-sample the results to SD formats. Conversation between Stephen Nathans, editor and myself, December 20, 2004:Nathans: So, now that you’ve spent more time testing with HDV, how do you …

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The Moving Picture: Follow the Format

Many of the questions I get from readers and see on Web forums relate to confusion about the formats and file types used in the video production process. Briefly, a format defines the file structure, or how the information is presented in the file. D

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The Moving Picture: MPEG-4 is Dead

I've been down on MPEG-4 for a while now, despite my respect for many of the folks associated with the standard. Given the adoption of Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9 by the DVD Forum, there's increasing reason to believe, to paraphrase an old Sout

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Will MPEG-4 Fly?

Strong market forces are pushing for a standards-based resolution to the high-profile battle of proprietary streaming technologies pitting Apple’s QuickTime, Microsoft Windows Media Technologies, and RealNetworks’ RealMedia against one another. Broadcasters are seeking a unified standard that will allow them to use a single delivery method for both traditional programming and Internet offerings. Many publishers of electronic content see users …

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Down With Wintel, Man – A Modern Day Fable

It was a small, tastefully lit shop on the east side. The NC-terminal was strategically placed, towards the back, telephone cables barely visible. The price tag hung, like a war medal, over the monochrome terminal and sleek, designer keyboard. “Network Computer – $500 (monitor not included).” Candles and incense burned on the podium – I could smell it from the …

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Comparing the Sony HDR-FX1, Canon XL2 and Panasonic AG-DVC60

Planning a new 3-CCD DV camcorder purchase? Wondering which one best suits your videography needs? You’re in luck—This review compares three new 3-CCD models built with videographers in mind. They’re all leading contenders for the current pro/prosumer crown: Canon’s XL2, Panasonic’s AG-DVC60, and Sony’s HDV-capable HDR-FX1. Read on for the tale of the tape. Few things in life are more …

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