I’ve been asking fellow videographers, inquiring on local computer electronics suppliers and researching through the web trying to find ways of delivering HD videos.  And here’s what I’ve found, so far:

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1. High-Definition HDD players

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high_definition_media_player.jpg

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I saw a couple of these in a local mall in CDO.  Basically it’s an HDD (hard disk drive) multi-format player that outputs on different mediums especially HDMI (the best possible way to view video on LCD TVs).  Costs about P10,000 to P15,000 including the hard disk (prices differ on the gig capacity).  Never tested one yet, but the brands mostly come from China, so product quality may not be that reliable.  Pros: plug it directly to your LCD TV and you can view your wedding video in true High Definition.  Cons: unlike a Blu-ray player, you can’t view blu-ray discs of hollywood movies (unless you convert it and transfer to this hdd player).  Because we have to give you one, quite expensive on our part.  :)

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2. Blu-ray discs

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 blu-ray-disc.gif

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Blu-ray discs have a capacity of 25gig for single-layer discs and 50gig for the dual-layer ones.  Alot cheaper than the High-Def HDD players but the client must have a Blu-ray player (costs about P30,000-P60,000) or a Playstation 3 (P20,000+).  Pros: a somewhat “hard copy” of your wedding video, easier to carry and can be duplicated.  Cons: Cannot be played on DVD players so unless you already have one, purchasing a Blu-ray player would really hurt your budget.  Blank Blu-ray discs are still rare here in the Philippines, none available in CDO.

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3.  Hard Disk Drive w/ enclosure

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hdd-enclosed.jpg

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Remember, you have to have an LCD TV to be able to play your high-definition wedding from either the hdd player or blu-ray disc, but if you still don’t have one, but you have a laptop or a relatively new PC, you can opt to have your video copied to an enclosed 2.5″ or 3.5″ hard disk drive.  You can then play it on your laptop or PC and enjoy the high-def experience.  Pros:  Cheap way to avail of our HD wedding coverage.  You can also have the video burned on Blu-ray later on when you already have an LCD TV and blu-ray player.  Cons: Can’t think of something negative about this one.  Just that if you do have an LCD TV, this cannot be played there unless you purchase the HDD player.  Also on our part, the cost would be higher than a blu-ray disc.

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This is my update for now.  The next step probably is our test shoot on my brother’s civil wedding this weekend.  Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on this entry.  Thanks.  :)