AVCHD

AVCHD is a new high definition (HD) digital video camera recorder format recording 1080i and 720p signals onto certain media by using highly efficient codec technologies.

The format employs the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression, and Dolby Digital (AC-3) or Linear PCM for audio codec. This makes it possible to develop HD video camera recorders which achieve compact size as well as high-quality video and audio.

The MPEG-4/H.264 codec is a technology which is over two times more efficient than MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 codec technologies. By adopting this technology, an “AVCHD” video camera recorder can record high quality HD video images onto 8cm DVD media.

The AVCHD standard is jointly established by Panasonic and Sony Corporation.

The following companies have expressed support for the AVCHD format as of October 31, 2007:

• Adobe Systems Incorporated
• Apple Inc.
• ArcSoft, Inc.
• Avid Technology, Inc.
• B.H.A Corporation
• BUFFALO Inc.
• CANON INC.
• Canopus Co., Ltd.
• CyberLink Corporation
• DigiOn, Inc.
• Focus Enhancements, Inc.
• FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
• InterVideo, Inc.
• I-O DATA DEVICE, INC.
• MICRO-STAR INT’L
• MainConcept AG
• Nero AG
• NEC Electronics Corporation
• Pegasys Inc.
• Pinnacle Systems a division of Avid Technology
• PIONEER CORPORATION
• PIXELA CORPORATION
• PLANNET ASSOCIATE CO., LTD.
• SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
• SHARP CORPORATION
• Sonic Solutions
• Techno Mathematical Co., Ltd.
• tram, Inc.
• Ulead Systems, Inc.