Compatibility
Generally, HDV devices are capable of playing and recording in DV format, though this is not required by HDV specification. Many HDV devices manufactured by Sony are capable of playing and recording in DVCAM format. 1080-line devices generally are not compatible with 720-line devices, though some standalone tape decks accept both HDV flavors. Devices that can play and record native 1080p video can play and record native 1080i video, however the opposite is not always the case.
HDV camcorders are usually offered with either 50 Hz or 60 Hz scanning rate depending on a region. Some models, like Canon XH-A1/G1 and third-generation Sony models such as HVR-S270, HVR-Z5 and HVR-Z7, can be made switchable for "world" capability. Some JVC ProHD products like the GY-HD250U are world-capable out of the box.
HDV is closely related to XDCAM and to TOD families of recording formats, which use the same video encoding — MPEG-2. In particular, HDV 720p is equivalent to 19 Mbit/s XDCAM EX recording mode used in tapeless JVC ProHD camcorders, while HDV 1080i is equivalent to 25 Mbit/s XDCAM HD recording mode and to 1440CBR TOD recording mode.
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