HDV is a high definition recording format. ProHD is JVC's term describing a suite of professional high definition products, some of which record in the HDV format.

The HDV standard has two recording methods: 720P (Progressive) and 1080i (Interlaced), each with distinct characteristics.

Progressive scan is "frame based". That is, each individual frame contains all the information, similar to motion picture film.

Interlace scan is "field based" and was developed over 60 years ago as a practical method to display flicker-free images on a CRT. Each field contains half the information, and when combined with a second field, a complete picture is formed.

Because of its high bandwidth, memory and other requirements, progressive recording and display was impractical until recently. However, the computer industry has generally adopted progressive scanning. The proliferation of PC's, affordability of memory and advances in compression technology have recently enabled practical and affordable real progressive recording.

To achieve optimum quality when used with computers, flat panel displays, DVD players, large screen projection systems and other advanced technologies, JVC's ProHD products utilize real progressive HDV recording.

Last update: 01:30 PM Thursday, February 2, 2006