Sony is demonstrating a prototype camcorder based on the HDV high-definition video format at the Cebit exhibition in Hanover, Germany this week.

The HDV format is a recording standard that was jointly developed by Canon, Sharp, Sony, and Victor Company of Japan (JVC). HDV uses MPEG-2 compression and is based on DV tape, a commonly used consumer video format.

The HDV format can record and play back video at a higher picture quality than DV while using the same cassettes, track speed, and track pitch.

Expected price for the HD camcorder is under $5000 .

Read