High Definition Video Coming Soon

In November 2008 we began a $100,000 upgrade of our production facilities for conversion to Hi Def, Widescreen video. The first step was the purchase of Sony EX1 XDCAM cameras, which record in full Hi Def at 1920 x 1080 pixels (not HDV 1440 x 1080 as used by most of the industry). We began using the cameras immediately and so all material recorded since November 2008 is ready for encoding into various hi definition formats for release on IFM. We also have some footage recorded since 2007 in HDV which will transfer quite nicely to the new format.

Of course this means we'll soon be upgrading the video playback facilities on the site, making the high def versions of new videos available to those who have the connection speed. We'll still support dialup customers with small versions of the videos, and the current standard sizes will increase as well. Additional file formats will be offered.

For a while, not all videos will be available in hi def, as we run out all the SD footage still in the system. All the existing videos will be unchanged, and won't be deleted from our back catalogue. Subsequent re-releases will be in higher res, if not widescreen.

The added benefit of switching to the Sony EX1 is tapeless technology. Using the SXS memory card system, we can record up to 114 continuous minutes (compared to 60 with tape) and upload them in about 4x real time. This has streamlined our workflows so we'll be able to spend more time on the creative side of editing.