Analog vs. Digital Capture on HD50 Deck
 

Employing a Convergent Design nanoConnect (HDMI to HD-SDI converter), Magna Mana Production in cooperation with JVC-Germany has created a very compelling video comparing analog versus digital video quality.

HDV (720p25) video, shot on a JVC GY-HD251E ProHD camcorder, was played through a JVC BR-HD50 deck and captured into an HD-SDI based editing system. The analog video clip was initially captured using the HD component analog output from the deck into a popular analog to HD-SDI converter. The digital video clip was created by re-capturing the same footage using a 100% digital path: HDMI output from the BR-HD50 deck into a nanoConnect which output HD-SDI.

The final video was then created by aligning the analog clip and the digital clip on the same timeline and creating a .wmv (Windows Media Video) file which sweeps back and forth between the two clips. The difference is clearly visible…you will notice the improved resolution and clarity in the faces and vegetation as well as the elimination of the color shift in the beige wall. Clearly, by eliminating the bandwidth limitations and voltage shifts associated with analog D/A and A/D conversions, the digital capture produces superior video quality.

The video clip (47 MB) can be downloaded at http://convergent-design.fileburst.com/AvD.wmv

Mike Schell
Convergent Design