Inexpensive cameras combined with low-cost computer-based edit systems
have opened the door to a technical level of imagemaking previously out
of the financial reach of individuals and small production companies.
But the infrastructure to handle these new signals is just as
important.

Recognizing this, broadcast equipment vendors such as Miranda
Technologies are creating products to integrate into the format into
major post-production and broadcast facilities.

Miranda’s new HD-Bridge DEC was designed as an HDV gateway, allowing
HDV camcorder footage to be easily converted to HD-SDI 1080i/720p with
embedded AES audio and time code. Post houses can use it to convert
compressed HDV into uncompressed HD-SDI for lossless editing.

This desktop interface features a built-in cross converter for
conversion between 720p and 1080i. The interface accepts HDV via an
IEEE-1394 (iLink, FireWire) connection and provides dual HD-SDI
outputs: one clean feed, plus one feed with time code and graticule
markers.

Miranda also created the ASI-Bridge, a camera-mounted HDV-to-ASI
converter, which offers easy on-set recording of dailies to formats
like D-VHS. The ASI-Bridge interface accepts HDV via an iLink
connection and converts it to standard MPEG-2/ASI format.

It’s ideal for HDV documentary production, and can be used to convert
HDV directly to ASI without the need for a costly HD MPEG-2 encoder.
The compact interface mounts discretely between an HDV camcorder and a
tripod and accepts power from the camera battery or from a dedicated
in-line power supply.