Category Archives: Video

DV vs MPEG2

Posted on August 9, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Andrew, from Canberra, writes to me: I refer to your article on the Hitachi DZ-MV580E video camera. I always like to read the Techno write-ups featured in The Guide [in the Canberra Times] each week. I think they are very … Continue reading →

Posted in Codecs, Compression, Video | Leave a comment

DVI interoperability

Posted on April 8, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Derek writes: I have recently purchased a Hitachi 42 pd 5000ta plasma screen which has a DVI input. I have also recently purchased the Samsung HD DVD-937. My question is in regards to compatability, I have been told by Hitachi … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, HDMI, Video | Leave a comment

More on ‘judder’

Posted on March 23, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

The concept of picture ‘judder’, to which I referred two posts down, is very easy to show in a demonstration, but rather harder to explain in words. I’ve already received an email from a person along these lines. So rather … Continue reading →

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HD dilemmas

Posted on March 23, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

For the last entry I was using a VisionPlus DTV card to check out the new WIN high definition TV transmission. As of today I’m using a high definition (1080i) CRT-based RPTV and a HD set top box, and this … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, HDTV, Video | Leave a comment

Useful explanation of anamorphic widescreen

Posted on February 28, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Many pieces have been written by many people attempting to explain, in terms accessible to the non-technical, what anamorphic widescreen is all about. I’ve had a bash at it myself here and here and, to some extent, here. But this … Continue reading →

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Is separate boxing for video switching necessary?

Posted on February 25, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Rod, the chap who maintains the extremely useful Chopping List Web site (on movie censorship), asks: While reading your informative A/V blog yet again, I was reminded of a question which you may be able to help me with. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Video | Leave a comment

Is Black and White cinema that good?

Posted on February 25, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Having just read this Blog entry from the erudite 2Blowhards on the wonder of black and white cinema, I feel rather inadequate. I prefer colour in general, and clearly I haven’t educated myself enough about the mood differences generated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Video | Leave a comment

G-Code and Showview and standards confusion

Posted on February 22, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Australia is an odd market for home entertainment equipment. We are small (20 million) but the market here has mixed and matched the standards used in the US and Europe, each of which are huge (300-ish million). One example is … Continue reading →

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The Onion speaks on religion

Posted on January 7, 2004 by Stephen Dawson

Back from a Christmas Holiday with the family, my attention is drawn by my brother to this highly amusing and disconcertingly accurate satire on DVD aspect ratios in The Onion. Worse, in my view, than ‘full screen’ renditions of widescreen … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc, Video | Leave a comment

The misuse of widescreen displays

Posted on December 15, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

I’ve seen them in people’s homes. I’ve seen them in a multitude of shops. I’ve seen them, incredibly, at product launches by major home entertainment equipment manufacturers. And now, once again, I’ve seen one in Iraq, courtesy of CNN. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Imperfect perception, Video | Leave a comment