updated 29 Jan 2005

Top Websites for HDV Format Information

This is another area which will expand significantly in the near future; for now, the Resources section starts off with the Top Websites for Digital Video. The last thing I want to do is to send you away from my own site, but if you must move on, these are the best places to go for more information about DV.

Some of these websites have a link back to mine, but just to be on the safe side, the links below will open a new browser window separate from this one.

VASST HDV Portal

VASST stands for Video, Audio, Surround and Streaming Training and is the brainchild of the Sundance Media Group under the direction of the prolific and multi-talented (not to mention award-winning) Douglas Spotted Eagle. VASST offers training materials in a variety of learning formats such as Training DVDs, books, live instruction, hands-on training, and online tips, tricks and resources. VASST has expanded to cover HDV as well, and their HDV Portal is an excellent starting point for learning more about this new format.

HD For Indies

Mike Curtis of Austin, Texas maintains a very active and frequently updated personal Blog covering a range of topics discussing affordable high-definition video solutions for independant filmmakers. Of course, there's an abundance of HDV material here, with more entries added all the time. Mike offers plenty of well-written material; there's a lot of great research that you can read about, and it's worth keeping a close eye on his site.

Adam Wilt's HDV Format Info

The legendary digital video guru Adam Wilt has launched the beginnings of what promises to be a valuable HDV format resource section of his widely acclaimed DV FAQ website. For starters, there's an article examining Sony's pseudo-progressive CineFrame technique, and a healthy list of HDV links; look for this area to expand in the near future.

Official HDV Format Information Site

The HDV^TM Information Web Site is the official site of the HDV format. This is where it all begins; all official HDV information comes from this source. Additionally, it provides a list of manufacturers who have committed to supporting the HDV, as well as the initial October 2003 press release which announced the format. A guide to obtaining the HDV specification is also available; trademark and licensing information is also included.

CineForm Aspect HD plug-in for Adobe's Premiere Pro

The folks at CineForm provide Aspect HD, a plug-in for editing HDV content within Adobe Premiere Pro. They're also recently introduced Connect HD, which allows you to capture content directly from HDV camcorders and DVHS decks in full HD resolution, and then edit with any program that supports HD resolution, such as Sony Vegas 5.0. No matter which popular PC-based editing application you choose, CineForm insures you'll have an HDV plug-in to support it. A fully functional demo version of Aspect HD is now offered freely for a 15-day trial period.

Understanding HD Formats

Ben Waggoner's page at the MicroSoft Windows Media Center provides an excellent primer of basic HD concepts, including an overview of high-definition video recording formats, screen resolutions, storage requirements, back-up systems for HD content, and much more. This single page offers a wealth of HD education in one convenient spot, and all of the info here is beautifully condensed into the basic concepts that you need to know in an easy- to-digest presentation. For those who wish to come up to speed quickly about high definition video, Ben's page should be your very first stop.

These are the top HDV resources you can't afford to miss. I visit all of these as often as I can! Other major internet stopping points are coming soon...

Thrown together by Chris Hurd