Video: Choosing Between HD and DV

While you and your fiancé have agreed that you would like a videographer to record the magic of your wedding day, your decisions have only just begun. As technology becomes more advanced, so do your choices regarding video style. For instance: Should you hire a videographer who uses digital video (DV) or the new high definition (HDV) format to document your memories?

In the simplest sense, HDV is exactly what the name suggests: a higher- resolution video format. It records more information, which translates into images that are more vivid, colorful, and lifelike. Remember how grainy those old VHS tapes seemed once you were introduced to a DVD? HDV is similar in that it is a step above what we have come to know as traditional digital video. Because HDV is so vibrant and engaging, more and more television shows, movies, and sporting events are being recorded and distributed in high definition, and most new televisions come with the ability to display HD content. Simply put, HDV is the clearest, sharpest, and arguably the most beautiful video available today. The colors, details, and subtleties of a wedding will literally come to life when recorded in HDV.

There are many advantages to HD recording that go beyond capturing just how red the roses in your bouquet really were. HD cameras require less available light than traditional video cameras, which means they can be less obtrusive in recording your event. Today’s HD cameras are lightweight and easy-to-use; if you prefer a natural, journalistic wedding video, the cameraman can move about without the need for bulky tripods and cords. Even better, because of the higher image quality, still photos captured from the HD footage look much more like traditional photography than stills taken from DVDs. (One thing this allows videographers to do is make the HDVD cases brighter and more attractive.)

Of course, new technology also has its drawbacks. After all, replacing those old VHS tapes with shiny new DVDs also meant buying a new DVD player. To view an HDVD, one must not only have a high definition player, but also a TV or monitor capable of displaying HD format. And even if you are willing to brave new technological worlds, what about your parents or grandparents who may be behind the curve? Fortunately, using HD cameras to record your wedding does not mean you are limited to producing only HDVDs. Traditional DVD versions of your high definition masterpiece can be made for everyone’s enjoyment.

Some videographers charge more to shoot in HD format, but as the technology becomes more accessible, the cost of this service will become more affordable. Plus, it may be a small price to pay to capture your wedding as vividly as possible, and to create a video that will stand up to the technological wave of the future. Hopefully, your wedding video is something you will watch for years and years to come. When the radiant splendor of the day you worked so hard to plan begins to fade from memory, your wedding video will be there to remind you. An HD video can bring all your memories back to life like nothing else. Your videographer should be able to answer any questions you may have regarding HDV and whether this new technology is right for you.