JVC HD100: can it shoot in 4:3?
 

I'm interested in the JVC HD100, but I know that, for a while, a certain portion of my jobs will be wanted in 4:3 aspect ratio. I can't find any info as to whether the HD100 can shoot in 4:3 in DV mode. Anyone know?

Bill,

Didn't have time to find the number for you but I'm sure if you call the JVC sales number (do a google.com search for JVC), they would be able to answer your question.

Maybe you can also illuminate me as I am new to miniDV. Is 4:3 aspect ratio the same as 3:4? If so, isn't that the standard and wouldn't it then be the default setting?

Well, there really is no such thing as 3:4. That would mean the height of the TV screen would be wider than its width. 4:3 is the current standard but 16:9 (widescreen) will be the HD standard and thus pretty much every forthcoming pro camera will default to a 16:9 standard.

Of course it can shoot 4:3. It does standard 480/60i, or 576/50i in PAL territories.

Here are all the available modes for the US version.

720/24p,720/25p,720/30p,576/50p,480/60p,480/24p,480/60i


You can check out this and more info at:

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/s...&feature_id=03

It's almost unquestionable that the HD100 will definitely offer 4:3 in standard-def. However, simply having a shooting mode of 480/60i does not necessarily guarantee 4:3. The XL2, SDX, SPX, DSR450, DSR500, DSR570, etc., all shoot 16:9 in 480/60i.

However, they all *also* shoot 4:3 in standard-def, so presumably the HD100 will as well. I haven't seen anything in the brochure to specifically spell it out, but ... it's gotta...

Good point, but I'll assume that they are following the same production standard as in the HD1/HD10U and will have a 4:3 DV mode.

Of course, since the CCDs are now native 16:9, they could have changed their minds.