DV spec

Hello. This isn't directly related to Final Cut, but I was directed to this site by my Digital Editing and Media Literacy instructor when I asked her this question. Where can I find the DV spec (for free)? I want to write a very specialized effect that is also a massive computational task; a low-level language is preferable. Also, I don't want to have to learn another language just for this task. Thanks for any info.

What kind of information do you need to know - frame size and rates, or more in depth? If so, what specifically? Also, there are several standards of DV - at least need to choose between PAL and NTSC. Or allow for both.

Sorry, forgot to specify that (I made the post in class). I'm after the DV-NTSC spec, at a resolution of 640*480 and whatever the standard (24 bit?) color depth is. I don't think framerates are relevant to my purposes, but whatever the closest thing to 'standard' is (24 fps?) best. Thanks.

The DV Spec is explained in depth at WikiPedia, but not sure what it has to do with creating a specialized effect.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Michael Horton
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Thanks Michael, but I'd already looked at the Wikipedia article; it doesn't have the info I need. Now that I'm at home I can be far more specific.

What I need is a byte-for-byte explanation of a raw DV-NTSC file. So, at which byte offsets the headers are located, what the headers mean, where the actual video starts, what (if anything) is put before a frame of video, and so on.

It's relevant to creating a specialized effect because I want (and possibly need) to do so in a low-level language.

Anyone?

You are asking the question to the WRONG PEOPLE. We are all editors...people who USE the product. Creative types with some level of tech. But what you are asking is a DEEP video engineering question. You won't get the answer here.

You need to talk to video engineers.


www.shanerosseditor.com

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Hi Klaus

The only article I've read with anywhere near this level of information is this: www.sony.ca/dvcam/pdfs/dvcam%20format%20overview.pdf

It may not contain enough on the data stream that I guess you will want to manipulate though.

So my suggestions is; the best people to ask would be SONY themselves and get in touch with their R&D dept or someone in charge of DVCAM development.


Ben



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