The Ups and Downs of HD Videography
One of the most important improvements within the videography industry is known as HD, or High Definition recording. While most studios have, and still currently record in Standard Definition, High Definition recording brings a lot of new improvements to the industry with improved editing abilities, sharper imagery, more developed coloration, and more frames recorded per second. While these innovations improve the quality of shots that are produced, there are some facts that everyone needs to know before considering using HD technology for their wedding.

Fact One: In order to play an HD video, you must have a Blu-ray player and a TV that is compatible with both: otherwise the video will not play correctly, and may not play at all. You can still request that your videographer record your wedding in HD format if you don’t have these items readily accessible but plan on purchasing them in the near future. The resolution of an HD video can be lowered so that you can still watch the content on a standard TV and DVD player. This way, you can watch your video right away, and the videographer can store the data and process it in HD format at a later date once you have the right components to view the HD content. Be forewarned however: if you record in SD format, you cannot raise the resolution and convert it to HD format.

Fact Two: HD may take significantly longer to edit because the volume of the content is enormous. Most of today’s cameras capture video that is directly transferable through flash cards, and the logging time per video has been improved by nearly 6-7 hours. While this helps videographers save time in uploading their data to their systems, the editing involved with HD is quite extensive. The amount of editing options available to HD videographers is endless, and if there’s something you are unhappy about with the content of your video, chances are, the videographer will be able to take care of it for you. Because of this large amount of data and the time it takes to edit the product, you might expect to receive your video much later than you would normally, had you chosen to record in SD. Pricing is another huge difference: HD recording is known to average around $5000+, whereas SD is usually priced around $2500. While it may be expensive, it is often worth the wait to have your videographer record with HD technology since the amount of captured shots and editing options are incredible.

Fact Three: Since HD videography is still in its beginning stages, the quality of the content is sometimes too intense and is better suited for more professional videographers. A bad shot in SD can be easily fixed since SD videography hides a lot of shooting flaws, but a bad shot in HD will show everything: such as pores, zits, and misused makeup. Researching several different videographers based on their style and experience is highly suggested since HD recording is an entirely different field within the videography industry. Making sure you are dealing with a professional, as well as someone who is learned in the how’s and why’s of HD formatting is important when considering this new innovative way of recording your wedding day.

HD videography is fairly new and will most likely undergo more alterations and improvements in the future. For now, it looks as if the standard for a lot of studios is quickly being recorded in high definition, and more and more studios will have HD recording as an option that will be more readily accessible for future clients in 2010.