National Geographic
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By Eric Huyton (Eyefish)
Please check your contracted technical requirements before making decisions based on the guidelines contained below.
National Geographic Channel requires High Definition programmes to be delivered on D5 or HDCAM SR tape in the 1080i 59.94 (AKA 1080i 29.97) signal standard. National Geographic Channel does not accept any HDV or DV material in their High Definition programmes.
National Geographic Channel acquisition policy for High Definition commissions:
| Acquisition Formats |
D5, HDCAM SR, HDCAM, DVCPRO HD (100Mbps) |
|---|---|
| Non HD Footage |
No more than 25% of total programme length No more than 1 minute contiguous non HD in any sequence |
| HDV Policy |
HDV is not acceptable |
National Geographic Channel specify their minimum acceptable requirements for High Definition cameras as follows:
| Item | Acquisition | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| | 1080i or 1080p | 720p |
| Pickup Device | 3 Chip 2/3 inch FIT CCD 16:9 |
3 Chip 2/3 inch FIT CCD 16:9 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
16:9 |
| Picture elements |
2 million pixels |
2 million pixels |
| Gain Selection |
-3, 0, 3, 6, 12dB |
-3, 0, 3, 6, 12dB |
| Sensitivity | f10 at 2000 lux (3200K, 89.9% reflectance) |
f10 at 2000 lux (3200K, 89.9% reflectance) |
| Clear Scan |
60.1 to 7000 Hz |
60.1 to 7000 Hz |
| Extended Clear Scan |
30.4 to 58.3 Hz |
30.4 to 58.3 Hz |
| S/N ratio |
54dB (HD Output) |
54dB (HD Output) |
| Horizontal resolution |
1,000 TV line/ph | 700 TV line/ph |
| Registration | Within 0.02% all zones (without lens) |
Within 0.02% all zones (without lens) |
| Modulation Depth |
45% at 800 TV lines/ph (27.5MHz in HDTV) |
45% at 800 TV lines/ph (27.5MHz in HDTV) |
| Compression Ratio |
4:2:2 in and out |
4:2:2 in and out |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 |
1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 |
| Dynamic Range |
600% |
600% |
| Frequency response |
Within+/-0.5dB, 10 to 25MHz Within +/-1.0dB, 25 to 30 MHz |
Within+/-0.5dB, 10 to 25MHz Within +/-1.0dB, 25 to 30 MHz |
| Quantization | 10 bit |
10 bit |
