Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 13, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Panasonic and Sony today began licensing the jointly developed AVCHD format for HD camcorders and announced an expansion of the format.
AVCHD allows 1080i and 720p recording, with video data compressed using an AVC/H.264 codec. Audio encoding uses AC-3 or Linear PCM. The two companies presented the basic AVCHD specifications on May 11 of this year and have since promoted them within the industry in order to gain licensing partners.
In addition to the 8 cm DVDs intended as storage media from the outset, the format now also includes SD memory cards and Memory Sticks as well as hard drives. Unlike HDV, AVCHD thus operates exclusively without tape. The expansion is intended to ensure that AVCHD can be used with the widest possible range of devices from different manufacturers. The new format specification operates under “AVCHD 1.0.” Licensees can use a specially designed AVCHD logo to indicate the compatibility of their products.
In addition to the licensing program for video cameras, Panasonic and Sony have developed further programs for playback devices and PC software in order to enlarqe the hardware and software base that can play AVCHD content and with which corresponding material can be edited.
Within the industry, the corporations have so far gained Adobe, Canon, CyberLink, InterVideo, Nero, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sonic and Ulead as AVCHD supporters.
Further links:
- More information about AVCHD
