So that's HDV in summary. A pessimistic reader may well believe HDV is another case of a technology released too early: HDV camcorders exist thanks to SOny and JVC, but the compression used to provide higher quality with a finite bandwidth isn't quite optimum. I'm I'm certainly no technology expert, but perhaps a wiser method of attaining high definition in camcorders should have been focused on achieving a method of attaining higher data rates.

At least we have a method of achieving High Definition video, and High Definition is most certainly here to stay. And even if you shoot in HD and down convert to SD, you'll see a marked improvement in quality. I just can't help but think we'll see a new method of recording HDV in the not too distant future. And with so much investment required to make the switch now, I'll be keeping a close eye on HDV over the next 12 months before I make the switch.

And on that note, our third and final section on HD for Europeans takes a look at how you deliver your lovely high definition video.