Canon Adopts MPEG-2 HD Codec for New File-Based Camera

Canon USA has adopted an MPEG-2 Full-HD (4:2:2) file-based recording codec for a new file-based professional video camera currently under development. The new Canon MPEG-2 codec will enable high-quality imaging and audio performance with up to 50 Mbps data recording and twice the color data of the HDV profile format.

The adoption of MPEG-2 Full HD compression enables the recording of 1,920 x 1,080-pixel full HD video. Additionally, compared with the 4:2:0 profile format used in HDV and other standards, 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the volume of color data, providing double the level of color resolution.

To support the swift adoption of its new MPEG-2 HD codec, Canon is working in cooperation with Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley to ensure compatibility with major editing and processing software programs. Additionally, at future industry events, Canon intends to demonstrate the overall video-production workflow, from initial video capture to clip-trimming and final editing, with video clips stored in a file-based recording system and using industry-standard software applications.