DVCPRO

    DV is a format backed by manufacturers such as Sony, Philips, Thomson, Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic) and others. DV cassettes are designed for maximum performance when used with today's digital video (DV) camcorders and VCRs. As the first digital video recording system for consumers, Mini DV represents a significant advance in video quality over conventional analog recording, with an unprecedented 500-line horizontal resolution-100 lines greater than Hi8 or S-VHS recording.

    The DV format has two cassette sizes: Standard/ Full Size (125mm by 78mm by 14.6mm) and Mini DV (66mm by 48mm by 12.2mm). The new DV VCRs will accept both, but the current crop of camcorders accept only the Mini DV.

DV tapes with IC Memory Chips allows you to build a "Table of Contents" of the tape that can be accessed automatically to locate a particular recording date, index point or even add titling to the memory that can be turned on and off during playback.

    The IC Memory Chip in Mini DV tapes does not effect the way the picture is recorded and is not needed to get great results.

    DV cassettes are designed to take full advantage of the DV format, providing remarkably faithful image reproduction with lifelike color and detailed edge sharpness, along with the ability to record digital audio with better than CD-quality stereo sound. DV cassettes feature a considerably smoother surface than other tapes, for improved tape-to-head contact and exceptionally low error rates. Because of this, it is extremely important to keep the recording heads clean. A DV head cleaner is used for this purpose and is highly recommended. DV cassettes are also engineered for peak performance under the most demanding conditions. A specially developed back coating and ultra-high precision cassette mechanism minimize friction and assure the highest degree of tape stability. In addition, the anti-static cassette shell is tightly enclosed to protect the tape from dust and airborne contaminants.

Digital vs. Analog

The Digital Video format offers more precise image detail and color accuracy than previously possible with analog camcorders. The superior quality of digital video results from:

• Higher Resolution – Up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution provide sharper picture detail, by recording more color information (exceeding even the current NTSC broadcast standard).
• Component Color Sampling – preserves three times more color information than analog VHS and S-VHS video, for brighter and truer colors.
• Time Base Correction – stabilizes the picture, virtually eliminating video jitters.
• Error Correction – fills in missing video data, providing seamless, professional-looking video.

Digital Audio
Quality That’s Crystal Clear

Digital Video (DV) camcorders record audio in the digital format, which gives you the power, clarity and accuracy you’ve become accustomed to from compact discs. The unparalleled sound of DV audio results from:

• Pulse Code Modulation – similar to CD technology, the DV format uses PCM recording, 12-Bit or 16-bit modes, for a dynamic range of more than 98 dB.
• Audio Dubbing – allows you to add a 2nd stereo track of music or narration, using your camera and remote, or a DV VCR.

    DVCPRO is a professional variant of the DV by Panasonic. The only major difference is doubled tape speed, which is needed for better drop-out tolerance and general recording robustness. It is also capable of 4x normal speed playback. This doesn't mean ordinary Fast Forward with picture, but rather, accelerated transfer of all of the information, for example, into a non-linear editing system. 

    DVCam on the other hand, is Sony's variation of the theme, sitting somewhere between DV and DVCPRO. Tape speed and track width have been increased, but not as much as for DVCPRO.   Furthermore, it uses the same metal evaporated tape as DV, while DVCPRO uses metal particle tape. 

    As for the picture quality, all these variants are nearly broadcast quality, DV being available at consumer prices. For news gathering and other similar uses, the quality is certainly enough, especially considering that typical post production will be done digitally, which will not degrade the quality any further. 

   All mentioned digital formats use the IEEE 1394 digital interface (often called Fire Wire).

The IEEE 1394 interface is a standard serial interface found on most camcorders that allows a connection to other digital equipment. When copying or editing, you will get the best video quality when using this  interface, but not all DV Camcorders have an IEEE 1394 Firewire connector.

Memory Stick

Introducing the next generation of digital data storage media, the Memory Stick™.  Smaller than a stick of chewing gum, it has many times the capacity of a standard 3.5" floppy disk, while providing the ability to interface with and between a potentially endless array of audio/video and computer products.

     With Memory Stick digital data storage, you can transfer data, text, and graphics, from one electronics device (e.g. Digital still camera's and digital camcorders) to another (e.g. Laptop or desktop computer or a Memory Stick printer). Click Here for more info.

DIGITAL FORMAT COMPARISON TABLE

FORMAT COMPATIBILITY TABLE

For  more  information go to:
Anatomy of a Mini DV Tape,  or visit  the

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