HDV (High Definition Video)

The digital videoformat HDV poses a viable alternative to the DV-standard in terms of higher resolution with an increased picture quality. Recording is still done on MiniDV tapes. Compared to DV, which is based on the standard-definition formats 4:3 (PAL, NTSC), HDV is based on the newly defined High-Definition-Standards 720 p and 1080i in the format of 16:9. In order to rework this format, special software is required. Additionally, it can only be played back in full resolution on a HD-ready TV.

AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition)

Alongside HDV is AVCHD the second consumer-format for HD-camcorders. Opposed to HDV, AVCHD can record on digital storage devices such as harddisks or fixed storage, memory-sticks, sd-cards or dvds. Currently there is hardly any editing software and common dvd players are unable to play the modern AVCHD-format. In order to view in on TV the camcorder has to be connected directly or the recording has to be played on a Blue-Ray device.

HDV-/AVCHD Camcorder

With this camcorder high resolution pictures (HD) are recorded on MiniDV tapes (HDV) or on a storage card, hard disk or DVD (AVCHD).

MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

Commonly the MPEG2-format is used by harddisks- or storage card-camcorders for recording. Because of the higher compression this format uses up less space on a computer harddisk than the DV-format. However this often takes a toll when it comes to image quality. Should a device record videos in MPEG2, it is usually able to record in Surround-sound.

MPEG4

MPEG4 describes a procedure to compress video and audiofiles. MPEG-4 supports simple systems (mobile-,videotelephony, etc) only with significant loss of quality.