On Sat, 16 Dec 2000 07:14:13 GMT, "David Mullen" wrote:

[...from Canon literature...]
>"The Optura is the world's first camcorder to incorporate a progressive scan
>CCD image sensor that delivers a significant improvement in performance and
>image quality. Each and every light gathering pixel on the CCD is used to
>reproduce a full frame video image 60 times per second. In contrast, the
>conventional interlace-type CCD reproduces only half a full frame, known as
>a field, in the same amount of time. During playback, the interlace method
>used on other camcorders combines two field images together, but a time
>lapse between the fields can cause a disturbing image flicker on the
>television screen when playback is paused. The Optura's progressive scan CCD
>eliminates the time lapse between fields by recording a full frame image,
>making it possible to output, display or even print the most exciting frame
>of a moving image without any loss in resolution."

Translation: if you wish to improve frame-grab quality
from motion-video, this is the way to go (though it
will result in loss of sharpness in motion-video when
viewed on a normal TV, which is interlaced). I prefer
best-quality video, but for occasional use when the primary
end-product is frame-grabs for web use, the PS feature may
be worthwhile...