Analog vs. Digital Video is almost like the jump from standard definition to high definition. As unfortunate as it is that the legal technology industry is still lagging behind in support for HD video, it is even more unfortunate that videographers still use the antiquated analog technologies.
Digital Video offers a whole host of benefits, not the least of which being a more cost-effective and being more robust in travel and storage.
1. Digital Video is not prone to Generation Loss
Generation loss is the degradation of quality for each copy or generation of a tape that is made. In the analog world, tapes are duplicated, passed out and then duplicated again. After each copy of a copy is made, quality is injured and the effect compounded with each new generation added into the mix. Digital video, on the other hand, is like a file on a hard drive recorded on a tape. If you make a copy via Firewire or computer, there is no generation loss. The quality is still as pristine as the original tape, no matter how many duplications away from the original you are.
2. Digital Video is more Efficient
Using digital video in any form is generally more efficient than analog video, and especially when it comes to cameras that utilize SSD (solid state drives), HDD (hard disk drive) or Flash drives for storage. With analog video, you have to place the tape in a VCR, press play, hit record on your computer and wait. As long as that tape was to record the first time, it will take to record into your computer. With a file based, digital video camera, it’s as easy as copy and paste. This allows for faster work on the tail end of a shoot.
3. Digital Video is more Cost-Effective
Because of its inherent efficiency, digital video is also more cost-effective. It takes less time, the technology is better and cheaper all around so it costs less to work with overall.
4. Digital Video is Better Quality. Period.
It really is hard to explain without actually seeing it. If you view analog video and then digital video, you will notice a difference. The video is cleaner, the audio is more crisp. There are no fuzzy lines or tracking problems. As I said in the opening paragraph, it is almost like the jump from standard definition to high definition.
Which brings up one more point, some technology firms, such as Opveon, offer high definition services. High Definition is your best bet for recording your projects right now. I’ll follow up with a detailed post on why.
For now, get your video captured on digital tapes or digital files. Contact us to learn more about high definition.
