Casablanca SmartEdit HDV/DV Dual Format Mode

Sony’s HDV products (namely the HVR-Z1U and the HDR- FX1 camcorders) have created major interest amongst videographers worldwide. Macrosystem is currently developing software that will facilitate Casablanca’s ability to edit high-resolution HDV material. Macrosystem AG is officially a supporter of the HDV format (www.hdv-info.org) and a member of the consortium developing products for this new high- resolution video format. We have spent a significant amount of time researching the perfect strategy for HDV editing.

HD-V Issues:
a) Editors want to access the increased resolution provided by HDV, but they may not necessarily want to purchase the initially expensive HD editing monitors and recorders.
b) In the near future, there will be a successful HD-DVD standard and a good percentage of consumers will have compatible players in their homes. Until then, current DVD technology will remain the most compatible distribution medium, even if the footage has been recorded in HDV mode.
c) Editors want the most time-efficient method to create a HDV master tape, a DV master tape and a DVD master.
d) As quality is imperative, ‘Native’ HDV quality is desired - no conversions.

We are excited to announce that we have developed a strategy that successfully addresses these issues.

Here is how it works
1.The videographer records their footage in HDV
2. They import the HDV data into the Casablanca Solitaire via FireWire
3. The videocassette is then rewound, the camera/deck is switched from HDV to DV and then, the footage is recorded into the Solitaire again, this time in DV. Result:
The data is on the drive in DV and in HD-V.
4. Edit your material in DV with the same fast speed and quality, creative options afforded to you now with Casablanca SmartEdit software.
5. Solitaire will performs all the DV edit decisions with the HDV material in the background (including filters. effects, titles - the works)! It can do that because we take advantage of the DV timecode (recorded onto the videocassette)
6. You have the valuable option to export your project to one or all three formats:
• record the project to HDV tape (real time),
• DV tape (real time)
• DVD (using the DV as source material – our DVDicon allows high quality and fast conversions).

This method does not need any new piece of Casablanca hardware – the HD-V editing component of Smart Edit 5 will be provided at no cost to Casablanca Solitaire owners and as an option for all other customers with the forthcoming Smart Edit 5 Operating System


 

A few more details:

- As soon as processors are fast enough for high quality HDV-DV- conversions that are faster than real time, we will replace the second recording (the DV recording) with a software HDV-to-DV conversion. For now, letting the camcorder do the job is very efficient.

- To render effect images, we do not use motion compression to store them until the final rendering takes place. Such rendered images will be stored in full resolution I-Frame-only. Before the output to HDV tape, these images will finally be compressed in full MPEG HDV mode. This way, we limit the `artifacting´ for multi-layered effects to a minimum. Disadvantage: It takes a little more drive capacity.

A release date can not be given as of today, but as usual, will be published once we achieve beta status.



Questions & Answers

Q: Will it be possible to edit HDV with Avio, Kron or Prestige?
A: Yes! Our developers are working to provide the HDV image quality benefits to all Casablanca II customers. However, due to performance characteristics - editing HDV will be fastest on the Solitaire.


Q: What will the cost be for this new feature?
A: For Solitaire owners, the HD-V Editing Component of Smart Edit 5 will be provided at no cost!
For all other Casablanca II customers, an upgrade to the full version of the forthcoming Smart Edit 5 Operating System will enable you to take advantage of HDV editing

Q: Will it be possible to play an HD-DVD on all DVD players?
A: No. To play an HD-DVD, you are likely to need a new, HD-DVD capable DVD player or a suitable playback program / drive for the PC.

Q: Will the HDV format replace the DV format in the future?
A: We expect that more and more manufacturers will support the high resolution HDV format because it represents a considerably better picture quality. With each new manufacturer to join the bandwagon, the HDV cameras will become cheaper. Soon, you can expect to see consumer HDV cameras.

Q: Will I need a new monitor to edit HDV video ?
A: You could use your current monitor to edit your HDV program, but for the most accurate editing you can view the full, true HDV signal on the Macrosystem HDV Real Time Hard Drive