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60 Chapter 2 Working with DVCPRO HD
DVCPRO HD Format Specifications
DVCPRO HD is a 100 Mbps extension of the DVCPRO (25) and DVCPRO 50 formats, used
for capturing and editing high-quality HD video. Because DVCPRO HD is a DV format,
native FireWire capture and output is supported.
Storage Medium
DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD tapes use a metal particle (MP) tape formulation.
Some tape sizes are supported only by decks and not by cameras. As the data rate is
doubled from 25 Mbps (DV and DVCPRO) to 50 Mbps (DVCPRO 50) to 100 Mbps
(DVCPRO HD), the recording time is halved in each case. Therefore, a 63-minute DV tape
stores only 31 minutes of DVCPRO 50 footage, or 15 minutes of DVCPRO HD footage.
You can also record DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD on P2 cards. For more
information, see “About Panasonic P2 Cards and Media Files” on page 95.
Video Standard
The SMPTE 370M-2006 specification defines the following DVCPRO HD formats.
Panasonic equipment and Final Cut Pro support additional frame rates within these
formats. For more information, see “Frame Rate” on page 61.
Aspect Ratio
Regardless of the specific resolution used, DVCPRO HD always captures and displays an
image with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (or 1.78).
Warning: DV (sometimes referred to as mini-DV) and DVCAM use a metal evaporated
(ME) tape formula, whereas DVCPRO uses metal particle tape. When in doubt, always
use cassettes explicitly manufactured for the camera or VTR you intend to use.
Format Frame dimensions Frame rate Scanning method
1080i60 1280 x 1080 59.94 fps Interlaced
1080i50 1440 x 1080 50 fps Interlaced
720p60 960 x 720 59.94 fps Progressive
720p50 960 x 720 50 fps Progressive