Normal Movie Mode
In
the first of MV1's three modes, full-motion video is digitally-recorded in conventional,
interlacing fashion. This allows for flicker-free playback on standard analog TV
screens. A standard image, however, is not part of the picture. That's because, like all of MV1's modes, normal mode benefits from advanced colour capture and control of its wide-band RGB filters.
All pixels are not created equal. In conventional signal processing, luminance and chrominance are processed as separate signals. As a result, each pixel is designated as either a brightness or colour value- -whichever is the more dominant. But MV1's "Digital IC" processor faithfully records each and every one of its 420,000 effective pixels in its best light and colour--thus achieving reproduction and resolution only previously possible with 3CCD chip applications.
Progressive Scan Movie Mode
To fully appreciate MV1's progressive scan mode, which enables you to capture high-resolution stills from full-motion video, we need to understand why they were ever blurry in the first place. In order for analog TV monitors to display flicker-free video, each of its 25 frames per second must be received as odd and even
 |
frame exposes the gaps between the two fields, and results in a blurred image. To get a high-resolution still image, we've got to go directly from digital to digital. And we've got to start with MV1's "progressive scanning." A lot can happen in 1/25th of a second. In progressive scan mode (and photo mode), the MV1's advanced "progressive scan" CCD chip reads every line from top to bottom--without skipping a single pixel in the process. When playback is also processed digitally, nothing will be lost in the translation. And since the result will be full motion video composed of full frames, you'll also get sharp, high-resolution still images, even from fast-moving action. What's more, you'll get 25 of them per second.
Photo Mode
While MV1's photo mode benefits from the new technology found in its other modes (progressive scanning), it also owes a lot to Canon's rich SLR heritage--and preserves the "feel" and features you've come to appreciate in classic still photography. For starters, the MV1 even looks like an SLR camera. But it's for control, not cosmetic reasons. Unlike most camcorders, whose weight is supported by one arm, MV1 is anchored with both hands in classic SLR fashion--for greater stability and accuracy. Photo finessing. When flash photography is called for, simply attach the popular Speedlite 220EX. Its strobe automatically controls flash intensity for optimal results. Also reminiscent of SLR cameras are MV1's Av and Tv modes, which allow you to give the aperture priority (for depth control), or the shutter priority.