Toronto-based video shop Post Producers Digital has upgraded to high-definition television standards.

"With more and more broadcasters switching over to high definition, and with a very high consumer demand for HD, the time was right to upgrade our entire facility to accommodate an HD workflow," says PPD president Al Mitchell.

"Now all our clients can edit HD for the same rate as standard definition NTSC, making HD a very cost-effective solution for every project," Mitchell adds.

In addition to a Final Cut Pro Studio 2 HD suite, the 15-year-old shop has upgraded all its Avid editing systems. Three of the suites have the newly released Avid Media Composer Nitris DX systems, and one suite has the latest Avid Symphony Nitris DX for advanced color correction and universal mastering.

This new Version 3 software and the Nitris DX hardware from Avid allows editors to have many layers of real-time effects on their timelines, giving them more creative flexibility.

PPD can now handle all standard and new electronic media file formats, including Sony XDCAM EX, Panasonic P2 and AVC-I, and JVC 23.976p & 25p HDV.

Mitchell says "with all the HD formats now available for both shooting and broadcast, it is very important that producers and directors co-ordinate with their post-production facility before shooting to ensure that they have the best workflow for their HD project."

Recent HD projects at PPD include the indie feature Scarce, a demo reel for an FX company and various commercials and corporate videos.