Although Digital Betacam is a somewhat outdated format (it was launched in 1993, and while it offers very good quality, it is 4:2:2, with a screen size of 576p, like a DVD), some festivals continue to request it and oppose the use of digital files, claiming they “cannot project those formats.” However, if a festival can project Betacam, there is no technical impediment to accepting digital files. Let’s see why:
- It has a digital projector (since it projects video)
- It has a cable connecting the projector to the Betacam player. This cable can be component or composite. It would be as simple as replacing the Betacam player with an HD player (hard drive or computer). Furthermore, if it is a medium-sized festival with a projector acquired in the last two years, it will have a standard HD resolution (720p, at least), so it can connect the projector and the player via HDMI, and perform HD screenings. The cost of this change is practically zero in terms of technical equipment.
Adopting digital files can increase projection quality, improve copy management, and reduce costs for both festivals (with considerable savings on returns) and producers and distributors.
