Taking a look at the camcorders available at CES this year, I came to the conclusion that for the first time, the acquisition quality of consumer video cameras has far outstripped the distribution quality of consumer video. Let that sink in for a bit. The camcorders for the most part shoot in HD (either HDV or AVCHD), while currently distribution of video is still done for the most part on standard definition DVD, and online video. The quality gap in terms of resolution makes these consumer camcorders easily high enough quality for mastering SD content, in other words the famed “broadcast quality” of yesteryear.

I remember back in the standard definition 4:3 tube TV days, where first generation hi8 or S-VHS was just barely acceptable video, and if you wanted to get something that was broadcast quality you had to go up to the pro end of Beta SP. Well now, with most distribution still in SD, or even smaller resolutions, you now have a “broadcast quality” camcorder in the palm of your hand.

I’m being a bit loose with the term “broadcast quality”, so I should probably qualify that a bit by saying that consumer camcorders still aren’t HD broadcast quality, but if you’re not shooting for an HD network or outputting Blu-ray discs, it doesn’t matter. The HD camcorder you have more than likely has enough resolution that when you downscale it to SD DVD (still the most common distribution format) it is of higher quality than if you had shot it with a broadcast level SD camcorder.

Consumer HD camcorders coupled with low cost 35mm lens adapters are capable of some surprisingly beautiful and cinematic images as well. Using the shallow depth of field characteristics of 35mm film, makes these small consumer camcorders really shine. There’s a new era of Micro Cinema abounding, and it’s a very exciting time for those who used to lust after broadcast level camcorders, but had to make do with what we could afford. Now what we can afford is pretty amazing.