What's New
February 18, 2012
Standard Vs. High Definition
During the ten plus years that Snippies has been in business, we’ve witnessed a series of technological advances in the video production landscape. Perhaps the most fundamental change, though, has been the switch from Standard Definition to High Definition. In the course of this transition, we’ve discovered some important findings about what HD means… and what it doesn’t. So we thought it might be helpful to review some of the realities and misconceptions about HD video.
Firstly, HD isn’t neatly defined. In fact, HD actually encompasses a number of different video formats with a variety of resolutions. Common formats include 720p, 1080i and 1080p. If you have a specific format in mind for your project, we can definitely deliver. On the other hand, if you know that you want to shoot in HD but aren’t sure what format you might need, we can help with that, too!
Secondly, HD means bigger files. Since storage is so inexpensive nowadays this isn’t necessarily a problem. Where file size does become a factor though, is with electronic delivery. Sending a completed 2-3 minute HD video is simple. On the other hand, if you’re looking for us to deliver full-resolution raw footage, the best approach is for us to copy the files to a hard drive and ship it to you directly. This approach is actually faster than electronic delivery, and delivery on a hard drive will help to keep project costs down!
Finally, HD isn’t quite the equalizer some people believe it to be. Just because something has been shot in HD doesn’t automatically mean it will look good. Lighting, focus and composition are still the key factors that will determine the quality of your footage. In fact, HD makes these elements even more important. Due to the fact that the images it delivers are far more detailed than Standard Definition, HD makes flaws more apparent! So, even though your camera phone can shoot HD, it’s still a better idea to have your footage shot by professionals! You’ll be guaranteed the best image, the best sound, and the best overall experience!