First of all, the HDTV signal is digital. Instead of an analogue signal, used by traditional NTSC broadcasts, HDTV is always digital. This eliminates analogue interference caused by electrical currents and magnetic fields. Secondly, HDTV uses a different aspect ratio than SDTV. While previous broadcasts used a 4:3 ratio (4 units wide for every 3 units tall), HDTV uses a ratio of 16:9. This wider aspect ratio more closely emulates how humans see the world, making the image appear more realistic. This ratio is also better for watching widescreen movies, which are recorded in widescreen for the same reason.
True to its name, HDTV offers a much higher resolution than standard definition video. While a typical analogue broadcast contains a maximum of 525 horizontal lines of resolution, a HDTV signal supports up to 1080. The three formats used by HDTV are 1080i (interlaced), and 720p and 1080p (progressive). HDTV's higher resolution produces images that are much finer and contain more detail and more colour than previous formats. HDTV also provides a higher-quality digital audio signal than SDTV and supports up to six audio channels compared to the two channels allowed previously.
To watch HDTV, you need an HDTV-compatible television and a means of receiving an HDTV signal. HDTVs come in both 16:9 and 4:3 formats (for backwards compatibility). Some HDTVs include HDTV tuners for receiving over-the-air broadcasts, but others require the receiver to be bought separately. Fortunately, most cable and satellite TV companies offer HDTV-compatible boxes with their digital service plans.’
Productions, S. (2016) HDTV (high definition Televsion) definition. Available at: http://techterms.com/definition/hdtv (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
How do I get HD TV?
‘To watch HD TV you'll need an HD television and something to watch in HD format, either an HD TV programme on an HD TV channel (such as BBC One HD), a film on Blu-ray disc, or an alternative HD source, such as HD video streamed over the internet to your TV.
All new flat screen TVs are HD compatible, but they come in two different types: HD-ready and HD-ready 1080p. The difference is to do with the screen’s resolution. Screen resolution is the number of pixels, or lines displayed on the TV, and is expressed as ‘width x height’. Full HD screen resolution, sometimes referred to as HD-ready 1080p, is 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, while HD-ready is 1,024 x 768. Full HD TVs have superior picture quality when watching HD TV broadcasts on Sky HD and Freeview HD, for example, or movies on Blu-ray disc. Cheaper, 'HD-ready' TVs have a minimum screen resolution of 1,024 x 768 required to display HD TV, but cannot show Blu-ray movies in their full picture quality. These TVs tend to be smaller screen models as it’s harder to physically see the screen resolution difference at that size. The best HD TVs are exceptionally crisp with outstanding colours, but buying an HD TV alone is not a guarantee of quality.
What are Blue-ray discs?
These are HD DVDs that almost always display at 1080p resolution. This means that films on Blu-ray are sharper and more detailed than standard-definition DVDs, and even HD TV.
A large number of Blu-ray films are now available, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to old classics, and nearly all new film releases are made available on Blu-ray, as well as DVD. An increasing number of 3D Blu-rays are also available, though you'll need a 3D TV and a Blu-ray player that supports 3D to be able to watch them.
All new flat screen TVs are HD compatible, but they come in two different types: HD-ready and HD-ready 1080p. The difference is to do with the screen’s resolution. Screen resolution is the number of pixels, or lines displayed on the TV, and is expressed as ‘width x height’. Full HD screen resolution, sometimes referred to as HD-ready 1080p, is 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, while HD-ready is 1,024 x 768. Full HD TVs have superior picture quality when watching HD TV broadcasts on Sky HD and Freeview HD, for example, or movies on Blu-ray disc. Cheaper, 'HD-ready' TVs have a minimum screen resolution of 1,024 x 768 required to display HD TV, but cannot show Blu-ray movies in their full picture quality. These TVs tend to be smaller screen models as it’s harder to physically see the screen resolution difference at that size. The best HD TVs are exceptionally crisp with outstanding colours, but buying an HD TV alone is not a guarantee of quality.
What are Blue-ray discs?
These are HD DVDs that almost always display at 1080p resolution. This means that films on Blu-ray are sharper and more detailed than standard-definition DVDs, and even HD TV.
A large number of Blu-ray films are now available, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to old classics, and nearly all new film releases are made available on Blu-ray, as well as DVD. An increasing number of 3D Blu-rays are also available, though you'll need a 3D TV and a Blu-ray player that supports 3D to be able to watch them.
TV types:
LED, LCD and plasma are the three main types of TV, and each type has its own unique strengths and weaknesses:
LCD (Liquid crystal display) TVs - a prevalent model of HDTVs, LCDS are flat panel displays through which light can pass or be blocked. The LCD doesn't produce its own light; this is done by additional lighting. These TVs are available in a variety of sizes and have wide viewing angles, making them ideal for almost any size room. They also use a large light source to help make up the picture you'll see on screen. Most manufacturers no longer make the rather bulky LCD TVs, instead favouring newer technologies.
LED (Light emitting diode) TVs - a semiconductor device that produces light from electricity. LEDs are often used to backlight LCD displays, which results in a clearer picture. (They're essentially the next evolution of LCD TVs). They use different backlight technology; tiny LEDs instead of traditional bulbs, enabling them to be slimmer, have brighter pictures and use less power. LEDs are the biggest sellers. Their picture quality is not as good as that of plasma TVs, but still good enough for nearly everyone. They also offer greater practicability and they can get a lot brighter.
The main difference between LCD and LED is that LED televisions are going to look better than other LCD screens. That's not to downplay how good an LCD HDTV can look, since the picture quality can be stunning, but there's no denying that there is, indeed, a difference between them. LED televisions can be considerably thinner than LCDs, even coming as thin as 0.3-inches. This, however, when mixed with the clearer image, means that buying an LED television is going to cost more than an LCD TV.
Plasma TVs - use different technology to LCD and LED. They're beloved by TV buffs for their cinematic picture quality, with deeper black areas on screen and smoother motion have the best picture quality hands down, and are also cheaper. However, they are not very bright, so they are only suitable for dark rooms. They suffer from occasional but not permanent image retention and have a slight buzzing noise on bright pictures. Panasonic stopped producing plasma TVs in 2013; Samsung and LG also announced that 2014 will be their last year.'
LCD (Liquid crystal display) TVs - a prevalent model of HDTVs, LCDS are flat panel displays through which light can pass or be blocked. The LCD doesn't produce its own light; this is done by additional lighting. These TVs are available in a variety of sizes and have wide viewing angles, making them ideal for almost any size room. They also use a large light source to help make up the picture you'll see on screen. Most manufacturers no longer make the rather bulky LCD TVs, instead favouring newer technologies.
LED (Light emitting diode) TVs - a semiconductor device that produces light from electricity. LEDs are often used to backlight LCD displays, which results in a clearer picture. (They're essentially the next evolution of LCD TVs). They use different backlight technology; tiny LEDs instead of traditional bulbs, enabling them to be slimmer, have brighter pictures and use less power. LEDs are the biggest sellers. Their picture quality is not as good as that of plasma TVs, but still good enough for nearly everyone. They also offer greater practicability and they can get a lot brighter.
The main difference between LCD and LED is that LED televisions are going to look better than other LCD screens. That's not to downplay how good an LCD HDTV can look, since the picture quality can be stunning, but there's no denying that there is, indeed, a difference between them. LED televisions can be considerably thinner than LCDs, even coming as thin as 0.3-inches. This, however, when mixed with the clearer image, means that buying an LED television is going to cost more than an LCD TV.
Plasma TVs - use different technology to LCD and LED. They're beloved by TV buffs for their cinematic picture quality, with deeper black areas on screen and smoother motion have the best picture quality hands down, and are also cheaper. However, they are not very bright, so they are only suitable for dark rooms. They suffer from occasional but not permanent image retention and have a slight buzzing noise on bright pictures. Panasonic stopped producing plasma TVs in 2013; Samsung and LG also announced that 2014 will be their last year.'
http://www.qvc.com/LcdLedGuide.content.html (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
Demers, C. (2014) Plasma vs LED vs LCD TVs. Available at:
http://uk.rtings.com/tv/learn/lcd-vs-led-vs-plasma (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
TheMetaP (no date) Makeup gone wrong. Available at:
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/497647827544637486/ (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
M, A. (2015) Aparna M. Available at:
http://www.beautyandgroomingtips.com/2015/03/makeup-that-youre-probably-doing-wrong.html (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
Laughlin, A. (2016) What is HD TV? - televisions reviews - TV and home entertainment - which? Tech. Available at: http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/televisions/article/what-is-hd-tv (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
(no date) Available at:
http://shoppingclick.blog.com/2012/09/15/samsung-un46b8000-46-inch-1080p-240hz-led-hdtv/ (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
How does it affect makeup and hair artists?
Obviously there are defects in any human face, especially for the elderly. Generally speaking, makeup artists can do miracles on imperfections such as rashes, pimples, facial hairs or any other characteristic defect that may bring about the camera lens to jump, and the group of onlookers alongside it.
In any case, with the appearance of superior quality television, which is quickly turning into the business standard, that pit can resemble a cavity if an artist isn't cautious.
“For middle-aged women, it should be outlawed,” noted cinematographer Bill Roe who has worked often in HD. “You watch a basketball game in HD and then you wonder what a close-up will look like on a 40 year old woman. You gotta go, Wow. You can see the makeup. You can see stuff. That’s the beauty of film. It’s a magic thing.”
John Toll, an award-winning cinematographer quoted: “Film tends to be more kind. Now with HD, they’re doing things like more filtration, or softening of the light, or degrading the image so it’s not so highly defined. It’s sort of what they used to do in movie star close-ups, an over-diffused style to try to make them look glamorous. Now they do it so you don’t see every pore in a close-up on skin.”
Even though numerous motion pictures and TV arrangement are still shot in movie form, superior quality video is spreading. It's even on the arrangement of game programmes.
Numerous artists are taking classes in 'airbrushing', which essentially sprays makeup onto the face or body as opposed to applying it with brushes or sponges. It has turned into a typical practice in Hollywood, particularly where HD is widely used.
Sandy Morris, a Hollywood makeup artist quoted: “I know a lot of soap operas have switched over to airbrushing. It’s a better match for HD. One thing about airbrushing, if you have somebody with bad skin, there are a lot of benefits. Definitely there are concerns, and HD cameras are very unforgiving. But if makeup artists know what they’re doing, it’s not a problem. Artists have few excuses these days for not knowing what they’re doing. Also, many of the major cosmetics companies also put on workshops to showcase their products as they pertain to the HD realm. Still, a star is a star, and an HD camera can be even more intrusive than the most obnoxious member of the paparazzi.”
‘Collateral’ - the 2004 Michael Mann-directed thriller that starred Tom Cruise, was not only shot on HD, but mostly at night. Lois Burwell, a makeup artist who won an Academy Award for ‘Braveheart’ worked on Cruise and said the HD cameras added another layer of difficulty to an already daunting project as the cameras could more clearly pick up the cosmetics used to artificially age Cruise. Lois Burwell quoted, “Normally, it would be a challenge anyway because he was in a greying wig with greying stubble and his look was changed. With HD, you’re at the sharp, pointy end of the artifice. I think it was particularly tough all around.”
Jodi Long is an actress who has appeared on many shows, including ‘Sex and the City’. She quoted “The makeup process for HD is actually easier and quicker. You do less makeup; you don’t want to look too heavily made up. It’s definitely unforgiving, you’ve got to make sure there’s no dust or cat hair on your costume because everything is so clear. But I don’t feel I look any different in HD than in film. Maybe it’s unforgiving. But it’s clear that it’s here to stay.”
(no date) Available at:
http://shoppingclick.blog.com/2012/09/15/samsung-un46b8000-46-inch-1080p-240hz-led-hdtv/ (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
How does it affect makeup and hair artists?
Obviously there are defects in any human face, especially for the elderly. Generally speaking, makeup artists can do miracles on imperfections such as rashes, pimples, facial hairs or any other characteristic defect that may bring about the camera lens to jump, and the group of onlookers alongside it.
In any case, with the appearance of superior quality television, which is quickly turning into the business standard, that pit can resemble a cavity if an artist isn't cautious.
“For middle-aged women, it should be outlawed,” noted cinematographer Bill Roe who has worked often in HD. “You watch a basketball game in HD and then you wonder what a close-up will look like on a 40 year old woman. You gotta go, Wow. You can see the makeup. You can see stuff. That’s the beauty of film. It’s a magic thing.”
John Toll, an award-winning cinematographer quoted: “Film tends to be more kind. Now with HD, they’re doing things like more filtration, or softening of the light, or degrading the image so it’s not so highly defined. It’s sort of what they used to do in movie star close-ups, an over-diffused style to try to make them look glamorous. Now they do it so you don’t see every pore in a close-up on skin.”
Even though numerous motion pictures and TV arrangement are still shot in movie form, superior quality video is spreading. It's even on the arrangement of game programmes.
Numerous artists are taking classes in 'airbrushing', which essentially sprays makeup onto the face or body as opposed to applying it with brushes or sponges. It has turned into a typical practice in Hollywood, particularly where HD is widely used.
Sandy Morris, a Hollywood makeup artist quoted: “I know a lot of soap operas have switched over to airbrushing. It’s a better match for HD. One thing about airbrushing, if you have somebody with bad skin, there are a lot of benefits. Definitely there are concerns, and HD cameras are very unforgiving. But if makeup artists know what they’re doing, it’s not a problem. Artists have few excuses these days for not knowing what they’re doing. Also, many of the major cosmetics companies also put on workshops to showcase their products as they pertain to the HD realm. Still, a star is a star, and an HD camera can be even more intrusive than the most obnoxious member of the paparazzi.”
‘Collateral’ - the 2004 Michael Mann-directed thriller that starred Tom Cruise, was not only shot on HD, but mostly at night. Lois Burwell, a makeup artist who won an Academy Award for ‘Braveheart’ worked on Cruise and said the HD cameras added another layer of difficulty to an already daunting project as the cameras could more clearly pick up the cosmetics used to artificially age Cruise. Lois Burwell quoted, “Normally, it would be a challenge anyway because he was in a greying wig with greying stubble and his look was changed. With HD, you’re at the sharp, pointy end of the artifice. I think it was particularly tough all around.”
Jodi Long is an actress who has appeared on many shows, including ‘Sex and the City’. She quoted “The makeup process for HD is actually easier and quicker. You do less makeup; you don’t want to look too heavily made up. It’s definitely unforgiving, you’ve got to make sure there’s no dust or cat hair on your costume because everything is so clear. But I don’t feel I look any different in HD than in film. Maybe it’s unforgiving. But it’s clear that it’s here to stay.”
Ventre, M. (2008) HD is unforgiving to actors, and makeup artists. Available at: http://www.today.com/id/24581670/ns/today-entertainment/t/hd-unforgiving-actors-makeup-artists/#.VwJ8MPkrLIV (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
HD is digging in for the long haul and it is innovation that is keeping on progressing at lightning speed. Cosmetics systems for this medium should be regularly upgraded to the most current application strategies utilised as a part of the business, and for artists to stay significant in their vocations and have the most a la mode guideline.
Below are some images of makeup gone wrong on HD camera:
Crawley, J. (2015) Nadine Coyle suffers a massive make-up fail on live TV. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3323840/Nadine-Coyle-suffers-massive-make-fail-live-TV-yellow-tinged-foundation-contrasts-white-neck.html (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
HD is digging in for the long haul and it is innovation that is keeping on progressing at lightning speed. Cosmetics systems for this medium should be regularly upgraded to the most current application strategies utilised as a part of the business, and for artists to stay significant in their vocations and have the most a la mode guideline.
Below are some images of makeup gone wrong on HD camera:
 |
| Nadine Coyle from 'Girls Aloud' |
 |
| Nicki Minaj |
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/497647827544637486/ (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
 |
| Concealer a bit too bright maybe? |
http://www.beautyandgroomingtips.com/2015/03/makeup-that-youre-probably-doing-wrong.html (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
HD makeup came on its way in around 1998. ‘The showbiz and beauty industries were fizzing with stories of American televisions actors and news anchors, mortified to suddenly see every pore, blemish and wrinkle amplified by the newly introduced and extremely sharp high-definition picture, throwing hissy fits and demanding better makeup to disguise them.
Clinique launched a special HD range of foundations, powders and concealers to perfect skin even when under such scrutiny, and rolled it out to the public. But as cosmetics technology improved vastly across the board (a foundation in 2015 and its 2000 counterpart are incomparable in terms of comfort, weight, shade selection, coverage and finish), the range was scrapped after a couple of years and HD makeup was confined mainly to professional brands and specialist suppliers (such as Guru and Screenface), who sold niche tools including airbrush guns and their corresponding products to TV and film makeup artists.
This technology (where very thin, liquid foundations are blasted very finely and almost imperceptibly on to the face, neck, hands and limbs) was used as standard on the stars of Friends. It is still the method of choice at news channels, on male and female newsreaders and guests because, as with all HD products, airbrush foundation makes skin flawless without looking made-up.
But the selfie phenomenon has put HD makeup back into the mainstream. Make Up For Ever is launching into the UK retail market this summer, thanks largely to the huge success of its HD foundations and powders in mainstream French stores such as Sephora. It would appear that selfies, Instagram and higher-resolution smartphone cameras have caused us civilians to demand even better, yet undetectable, coverage.
So what does HD makeup offer that normal makeup doesn’t? You could argue that the answer is very little, since normal makeup has come on in such leaps and bounds anyway. HD is certainly, in some cases, merely a marketing tool without real substance. But, broadly speaking, consumers should expect proper HD makeup to have superior light reflection, as demonstrated in Smashbox’s Liquid Halo HD Foundation, which uses gel-covered pigments inspired by lens filter technology to soften and blur fine lines and uneven tone.
Blurring is a key term in HD makeup, the idea being that when the modern camera is so harsh, our makeup needs to step in and recreate the effects of an old-fashioned soft-focus lens for a more flattering and forgiving look. Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation is a good example of soft-focus technology.
Another HD non-negotiable is an extremely fine texture and finish, as in ‘Chantecaille’s’ excellent but expensive HD Perfecting Powder, to ensure a non-cakey, almost invisible finish even in close-up. (Despite being bright white in the pot and looking suspiciously like class As, HD powders should blend to invisibility on almost all skin tones.)
Finally, smoothness. HD products usually harness high-grade silicone to smooth any uneven texture on the skin’s surface (imagine your face has been through a virtual laminator and you’ll get the idea). ‘Temptu’s’ HD-proof airbrush foundations, concealers and blushers (all applied with an airbrush gun) are silicone-based to create this effect.
Inevitably, there will be those of us who feel it’s a shame if women have begun to feel as though they must now be camera-ready at all times; that mere “makeup” is no longer good enough; that we should now appear as though fresh from a film set or celebrity dressing room. I fear it is irreversible – the selfie phenomenon is real and advancing daily with new products, better filters, retouching apps and customising software.
But while the advent of HD makeup is certainly a marker for a less innocent time, it also replaces an era when women were forced to accept that foundation was thick and often uncomfortable; that powder was dry, cakey and unnatural-looking; that concealer was hard to colour-match and apply. The new generation of products is a comparative picnic and looks effortless, healthy and real. And you needn’t face the camera to enjoy it.’
Clinique launched a special HD range of foundations, powders and concealers to perfect skin even when under such scrutiny, and rolled it out to the public. But as cosmetics technology improved vastly across the board (a foundation in 2015 and its 2000 counterpart are incomparable in terms of comfort, weight, shade selection, coverage and finish), the range was scrapped after a couple of years and HD makeup was confined mainly to professional brands and specialist suppliers (such as Guru and Screenface), who sold niche tools including airbrush guns and their corresponding products to TV and film makeup artists.
This technology (where very thin, liquid foundations are blasted very finely and almost imperceptibly on to the face, neck, hands and limbs) was used as standard on the stars of Friends. It is still the method of choice at news channels, on male and female newsreaders and guests because, as with all HD products, airbrush foundation makes skin flawless without looking made-up.
But the selfie phenomenon has put HD makeup back into the mainstream. Make Up For Ever is launching into the UK retail market this summer, thanks largely to the huge success of its HD foundations and powders in mainstream French stores such as Sephora. It would appear that selfies, Instagram and higher-resolution smartphone cameras have caused us civilians to demand even better, yet undetectable, coverage.
So what does HD makeup offer that normal makeup doesn’t? You could argue that the answer is very little, since normal makeup has come on in such leaps and bounds anyway. HD is certainly, in some cases, merely a marketing tool without real substance. But, broadly speaking, consumers should expect proper HD makeup to have superior light reflection, as demonstrated in Smashbox’s Liquid Halo HD Foundation, which uses gel-covered pigments inspired by lens filter technology to soften and blur fine lines and uneven tone.
Blurring is a key term in HD makeup, the idea being that when the modern camera is so harsh, our makeup needs to step in and recreate the effects of an old-fashioned soft-focus lens for a more flattering and forgiving look. Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation is a good example of soft-focus technology.
Another HD non-negotiable is an extremely fine texture and finish, as in ‘Chantecaille’s’ excellent but expensive HD Perfecting Powder, to ensure a non-cakey, almost invisible finish even in close-up. (Despite being bright white in the pot and looking suspiciously like class As, HD powders should blend to invisibility on almost all skin tones.)
Finally, smoothness. HD products usually harness high-grade silicone to smooth any uneven texture on the skin’s surface (imagine your face has been through a virtual laminator and you’ll get the idea). ‘Temptu’s’ HD-proof airbrush foundations, concealers and blushers (all applied with an airbrush gun) are silicone-based to create this effect.
Inevitably, there will be those of us who feel it’s a shame if women have begun to feel as though they must now be camera-ready at all times; that mere “makeup” is no longer good enough; that we should now appear as though fresh from a film set or celebrity dressing room. I fear it is irreversible – the selfie phenomenon is real and advancing daily with new products, better filters, retouching apps and customising software.
But while the advent of HD makeup is certainly a marker for a less innocent time, it also replaces an era when women were forced to accept that foundation was thick and often uncomfortable; that powder was dry, cakey and unnatural-looking; that concealer was hard to colour-match and apply. The new generation of products is a comparative picnic and looks effortless, healthy and real. And you needn’t face the camera to enjoy it.’
Hughes, S. (2015) HD makeup: How to look camera-ready at all times. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2015/jan/22/hd-makeup-high-definition-how-to-look-camera-ready (Accessed: 4 March 2016).
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