Canon Inc, Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) today announced that the specifications which realize the recording and playback of high-definition video on a DV cassette tape have been established as the "HDV" format. The four companies proposed the basic specifications for the format in July 2003 and have received supportive opinions from many companies. The specifications for the HDV format will become available from the beginning of October 2003. The four companies will also propose the format as an international standard format.

The following companies have expressed support for the HDV format at present:

Adobe Systems Incorporated
Canopus Co.,Ltd.
KDDI R&D Laboratories
Sony Pictures Digital Networks
Ulead Systems,Inc.

The four companies will gradually incorporate features which enable to recognize tapes recorded using the HDV format in future DV format-compatible products to enhance user convenience, and promote such features throughout the industry.