Digital television (DTV) is the umbrella for a broad range of new services and technologies, previously only available to network broadcasters or motion picture studios. For the every day VHS, DVD, cable or antenna television viewer, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) format has ruled the roost for the last 50 years.

NTSC dominance is slowly changing with the introduction of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) chart of 18 possible formats. The new formats include horizontal resolutions in the 480, 720, and 1080 lines combined with a mixture of progressive (p) or common interlace (i) signals at a variety of frame rates of 24 (23.976 fps), 30 (29.97 fps), or 60 (59.94 fps). As a reference older NTSC uses a 480i30, or 480 line 30 interlaced frames per second. The aspect ratio for all formats above 480 is 9:16 or 720x1280 and 1080x1920 pixels.

Only two camcorders under $5000 offer a choice of progressive images, similar to a digital still camera, only at 30 images a second, the Panasonic AG-DVX100 and the JVC GR-HD1. The benefit on the GR-HD1 is it is the world's first 720p camcorder at that price range. Nothing else appears on the horizon from other manufactures like Sony, Panasonic, or Canon to match the price and options on the GR-HD1. From the links, from initial preview to product shipment, the JVC camcorder took eight months to develop. This might indicate other manufactures may have some thing to show in Q1 2004. The marketplace will decide which one finds its audience.

Links:
JVC preview of GR-HD1 at CEATAC 1 OCT 2002
JVC official GR-HD1 announcement 22 JAN 2003
JVC GR-HD1/JY-HD10U Official Site
NTT MPEG2 CODEC LSI

News and Reviews:
The Merits of 720P Over 1080i
Guide to Progressive Imaging
Professional Menu Features on Prosumer Camcorders
Panasonic AG-DVX100 Review
JVC GR-HD1/JY-HD10U Preview
A Close Look at CCD Operation