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HD, what's it all mean?...

We've all heard the hype surrounding High Definition Television… Everyone is talking about it. Every day we are bombarded with ads in magazines, on the radio and television to purchase this or that HD system or gigantic plasma display. So what does it all mean?

Sure there is a lot of hype in all the reports and ads you hear about HDTV. We know the system uses the traditional 16:9 screen ratio of theatrical film. HD has a clearer, crisper image with digital 5.1 surround sound, which is a perfect medium for reproducing live music. We are also experienced in the new DualDisc format (Dual Disk), which combines a DVD and CD on the same disc.

HD now or wait?...

So HD is growing as a medium and in a few years will be the standard. The folks at Omega Productions and HD YourConcert (HDYourConcert.com) can assist you in learning how you can leverage HD today and in the future. They have over 36 years experience in the music and entertainment business. They have seen a lot of technologies come and go, leaving artists and clients with little to show for their investment of time and money. So what are the choices? What should you do? Well it depends on what you want to do with your product. It also depends on your budget. As we all know, any new technology is more expensive to produce in the early years of development. Right now it may not make sense to shoot your concert in HD… but are there any alternatives? Here are some possible choices:

Shoot HD, record to HD, post HD, release HD and/or author to DVD

This method will be the most expensive. You will have an HD master for HD release and to use for future releases. Remember, however, that all your effort will be down-converted to MPEG 2 in the DVD release. If you release is going to be in an HD medium, like an HD channel, then shooting all HD makes sense.

Shoot HD & SDI, record to SDI and HD, post SD, author to DVD

SDI is a non HD but digital format. The quality is standard resolution. This method allows you to post in SD, which is less expensive than HD, release on DVD, and still retain your HD footage for a later HD release when HD comes of age.

Don't shoot HD, shoot SDI 16:9

Shoot the project in SDI (standard definition, but digital). Use cameras capable of capturing the images in 16:9 (film style or letterbox) screen ratio. Finish to SD, author to DVD. Your audience will see a project which will stand out because it is entirely digital and is shown 16:9. Psychologically the audience will identify the 16:9 screen look with HD and film. There are also programs which can give your release a "film style" look.

Shoot in traditional formats

Don't shoot HD or SDI 16:9. Shoot either SDI or traditional analogue 4:3, record to Digital Beta or Beta SP. Beta SP is a great acquisition format for live concert shoots. The format still remains the most cost effective method of capturing live music for a long form music video (please see the below note about DV Cam and DVC Pro).

Whichever method you choose to shoot your concert, remember that the folks at Omega Productions specialize in just one thing –

We love to shoot music and it shows!...

Of course we keep up with the latest developments in technology… but more important, we help you decide what makes sense now and in the future. We help you leverage your current project so you can take your performance to the next level.

A note about DV Cams...

One of the hottest developments in camera and digital video technology has been the advent of the DV Cam and DVC Pro video formats. In recent years, the quality of these formats and cameras has rivaled those of their big brother – the broadcast versions used in all of Omega's shoots.

So why do the folks at Omega discourage the use of these cameras? Since the cost of this equipment is much cheaper, couldn't we save our clients a lot of money?... not really! DV cams can increase the overall cost of a concert shoot.

Edit in the truck… not in post...

You can save money up front by using DV cams, but the price savings can be more than offset by higher editing costs. The new DV cams are not designed to be attached to a video switcher, shaded by a video engineer or switched live by a Director. As a result, each camera acts as its own recorder generating a tape for each camera. When the shoot is finished you start over, editing all the tapes down to a master, which can involve a great number of hours. Omega always switches live to tape, insuring the post time is kept to a minimum, used primarily to fix mistakes. Editing in the truck saves money!

Switching live preserves the magic and look on stage...

We believe using music oriented shooters and directors and switching live results in a better performance on screen. We encourage our shooters to "play" their cameras. We see them as an extension of the band. Pushing the envelope and switching live saves money and results in more "video magic." In addition, our engineers are constantly "shading" the various cameras, insuring they look their best. It is almost impossible to accomplish the same shading "tweaks" in post production, not to mention the cost for the additional hours.

So if you are ready to shoot your event in HD or in a more traditional format, the folks at Omega Productions and HD YourConcert (HDYourConcert.com) would appreciate the opportunity to make your plans a reality.

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