New EU Rules Set To Limit Video Capture

[Super Chimp]

I wonder if this will have any affect on mobile phones at any point?

The CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) has today released a statement on the recent re-classification of certain digital cameras as 'video camera recorders'. The new EU rule states that any digital still camera with a resolution higher than 800x600 and the duration of video of 30 minutes of more (at 23 fps or higher) must now be classified as a 'video camera recorder' and hence be taxed at a higher rate. This new legislation will undoubtedly mean that any promise of serious video capture on digital still cameras becomes an even more remote possibility. The only plus side to the EU's recent announcement is that the threat of retroactive charges appears to have been dropped. CIPA's standpoint is: "Arbitrary and unilateral tariff classification having been executed by the EU authorities for the products eligible for the ITA (Information Technology Agreement) is infringement of the ITA. Thus, the CIPA will continue to make claims for the invalidity of the relevant action similar to this case in the trade area from now on so that other IT products will not be affected by such action."

[Nokia_Boi]

Well the N95 does 640x480 @ 30 fps and it's recording time is memory dependant.

It fits into that "Statement" except for the 800x600 bit.

[chlettn]

So, at the most we'll see PAL resolutions in the next few years I guess...which is quite OK I guess, I don't really need HD resolution video and I don't think it would be feasible memory-wise for some time anyway.

[Divooneh]

It would depend on the memory size or memory card size on mobile phones, A few gigs cant hold much video at 800x600 anyways.

[Super Chimp]

I wonder if the industry will decide to challenge this as it does seem to be rather restrictive as well as possible stifling progress.

[DUNGA]

There are always ways around the system...

[sms]

maybe that's the reason why few digital cameras have great video recording.

[sidneylopsides]

That is oddly worded, it doesn't state the video has to be 800x600 or higher (which is a strange video resolution anyway) just a digital stills camera with that resolution or higher, which is basically all of them.

[Super Chimp]

That is oddly worded, it doesn't state the video has to be 800x600 or higher (which is an strange video resolution anyway) just a digital stills camera with that resolution or higher, which is basically all of them.

Isn't that resolution something like widescreen VGA which some cameras record in?

[mynameis_Kaz]

....(which is an strange video resolution anyway)....

800x600 is the definitive ratio for an old style TV set ie 4:3. It is also the majority of point and shoot cameras ccd/cmos/ ratio as well. CCD/CMOS sensors were originally designed for use in Movie cameras,which in turn were designed to play on the old style 'box' set. Thats the reason for the four/thirds ratio.
Some camera manufacturers (most notably Olympus) are leaning towards, and trying to 'standardise' this setting for both sensors and lenses, at the moment its a complete shambles

http://www.4-3system.com/modules/news/
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Thirds_System

[snake eater]

800x600, super vga, vesa standard, 10 years ago.

the framerate restriction is a big problem.
30fps great. 25fps is acceptable. 22...

[Super Chimp]

800x600, super vga, vesa standard, 10 years ago.

the framerate restriction is a big problem.
30fps great. 25fps is acceptable. 22...

23fps does seem like any odd number to pick.

[mynameis_Kaz]

Super Chimp
23fps does seem like any odd number to pick.
The 24p frame rate is a noninterlaced format, widely adopted by those who transfer video signal to film.Film and Video makers turn to 24p for the "cine" look even if their productions are not going to be transferred to film, simply because of the "look" of the frame rate.

35 mm movie cameras use a standard exposure rate of 24 frames per second.



snake eater
The Vesa standard was designed BECAUSE of the box 4:3 ratio TV/Monitor
It goes way way back, before 10 years ago. :D

Reminding me of the correlation between a horses backside and the railways we ride on today

[snake eater]

mynameis_Kazit WAS way back when, just that that particular resolution reminded me of the good old days of running dos 6.22 and setting himem, vesa, sbpro drivers etc. for ONE game just to find out "conventional memory" was less than 512kb.:)

and the worst part was buying extra 8mb ram which didn't help at all!
at least a reason to thank windows for.

[rmcrys]

Just a way to complicate things and earn some more money.

At least they could tell that any camera that records 11 Mpixel/sec or more are video cameras. Anyway, PAL it´s 10.3 Mpixel/sec so we´re fine.

PAL captured at RGB and with low compression it´s a lot better than 720p with lousy compression...