VIDEO 101

Video Recording

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Lesson Outline
Introduction
Image Quality
Composite/Component
Digital/Analog
Generation Loss
VHS
8mm
Betamax
DV
3/4 inch
Betacam




Page 2 --Video Recording > Image Quality

Before we dive into the specific formats, we need to consider some basic characteristics of video recording formats:

Image Quality
Some formats reproduce better image quality than others, but what does that mean? By image quality, we usually mean two things. First is "resolution" which refers to the amount of detail in he image. Some people would call this sharpness or crispness.

Second is the format’s ability to reproduce color. Some formats are destined to display only muddy, muted colors. Others can reproduce sharp lifelike colors. VHS, for example, does a terrible job of reproducing color.


ABOVE: The left image has higher "resolution" than the right image. We'll talk more about this in the camera unit--for now you should understand that some formats record sharper pictures than others.
BELOW: Notice how the color in the left image is more vivid than the right image. Some recording formats reproduce color well--others can only reproduce dull, muted colors.

 

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Michael Trinklein