Tape videocassette recorders of DVCAM format

By Alexander Birukov

Review contents:

Professional video recording: Its perspectives in Russia Video Cassette Recorders New videocassette recorders ProfessionalDV of The JVC Company Videocassette recorders of D-9 format of The JVC Company Digital videocassette recorder from Panasonic Tape videocassette recorders of DVCAM format High Definition Videocassette Recorder of The Sony Company Sony Videocassette Recorders of D-10 Format (MPEG IMX)

In spite of that in audio industry the technologies of tape recording are almost replaced with facilities of recording to discs, in the field video they still continue to take leading positions. The main producers of video techniques and cassettes are not going to decrease their production and still continue to develop and perfect the equipment for assembly, editing, and storage of video information. For distillation of video to the hard disc, recording of DVD discs in the majority of cases computer is used. However the situation starts changing. The proof of this except for much other can be the innovations in DV CAM equipment line.

Today DVCAM is one of the most spread formats of video recording on domestic TV. It is widely applied in the sphere of programs creation, as well as in cinema, if the material is preliminary assigned only for TV broadcast (soap operas, etc). Many specialists even see in it an alternative to expensive cinema production (at least on the starting work stage). At the same time on the base of these format constantly appear facilities of recording to the hard disc that unite usual VCR control interfaces and advantages of work with hard discs.

The last year didn’t bring any significant innovations in large, stable, and well-tried line of tape VCR of DVCAM format, which includes devices from studio (with pre-read function) to “office” ones. Two models, DSR-25P and DSR-45P had appears as substitute to an old DSR-20P and DSR-40P. The main direction of format development was made not by them and not by appeared earlier devices of Master series, but disc VCR DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000P, which became real bestsellers in Europe in 2002. Since the beginning of 2003 the stable growth of demand on these models was mentioned in Russia. For the moment there is no reasons to talk about reduction of part of tape VCR by disc ones in the sphere of “economy” video production, which is totally occupied by DVCAM facilities. However the tendency to the growth of disc recorders in this sector of the market is happening.

DVCAM format DSR-25P digital cassette VTR

DSR-25P represents digital VCR of DVCAM format with an opportunity of recording and reproduction of standard and mini-cassettes and also tapes of DV format (in SP mode). Compact and simple in exploitation device is equipped with build-in 2" color LCD monitor on which all necessary information (recorded image, sound level, settings menu, system status) is represented. The facility can operate in PAL and NTSC standards. DSR-25 is equipped with i. Link (IEEE 1394) interface, generator of temporary code, build-in tape counter, has composite and S-video-entries/outputs, and also input/output for sound signals. The new model comparing to DSR-20, had lost RS-232C interface and input of 12 V power. Entries/output for component signals are absent. Videocassette recorder has the generator of color bands, but is not equipped with sound tone-generator.

The field of use of DSR-25 is very wide: from small studios to large corporative video studios and from TV journalism to videography. This videocassette recorder can be recommended for use in systems of digital nonlinear editing as giving/recording facility. For control of DSR-25 can be used external timer, which allows turning on the mode of recording or reproduction when power voltage is supplied. If the switcher timer on the front panel of DSR-25 is set in rec (record) position, then when supplying voltage VCR automatically turns on the recording. If the switcher is situated in repeat position, then when turning on of voltage VCR starts reproducing the program. These functions are comfortable for the use of DSR-25 in unserved automatic mode.

Sony DSR-45P is the new universal videocassette recorder of The Sony Company with an opportunity of recording and reproduction in DVCAM and DV (SP) formats. It can be recommended for work in the set of systems of nonlinear and linear editing of medium studios. However when that, it is necessary to consider, that VCR itself is not assigned for editing in mode of insert or assembly, also it doesn’t have mode of synchronization for parallel reproduction. DSR-45P is equipped with 2’’ color LCD monitor, component, composite, and S-Video entries/output, interfaces i. Link, RS-422A, and RS-232C. There are also entries/outputs for four independent sound channels. Additionally to the output of component video signal, present in previous models, in DSR-45P there also appeared an input for component video signal and additional control interface. As DSR-25, the model supports control by external timer. Videocassette recorder has Auto Repeat function, which allows re-reproducing of recording in automatic mode when end of the tape, first free interval or first index point is reached. Small overall dimensions allow placing two DSR-45P VCR’s in standard body.

Vertically placed DSR-11 VTR

DSR-11 VTR — view from connectors’ side

Among DVCAM videocassette recorders it is impossible not to say about DSR-11P. This is not the new model, but it was in the biggest demand. The device of DVCAM and DV format and has an opportunity of switching of PAL/NTSC modes. The main fields of use are support of systems of nonlinear editing, private and corporative video production, advertising and information agencies, etc. DSR-11P is good for work in systems of nonlinear video editing in field mode. In spite of very small sizes and unusual for production time design, (model works good both in horizontal and vertical position) this facility reproduces cassettes of two formats, has entries and outputs of analogous composite and S-video video signal, analogous sound, and also DV (IEEE 1394) signal. In the device also an opportunity of processing of input analogous signal into digital with its transfer through i. Link interface is foreseen. The control is done with the help of wireless remote console or through LANC and Control S entries.

Probably, the success of these model inspired Sony for production of disc recorders, that are oriented at the same market niche, but are capable to perform tasks, carried by DSR-11, are much faster and productively.

DSR-DU1 disk recorder

About DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000P models it was already said in review of “625” magazine about contemporary disc recorders. DSR-DU1 is set directly on the camera and records to disc the signal that is also recorded to the tape. With the help of this model operative field editing with voluntary access to the material and fast chop of program to nonlinear.

DSR-DR1000P is disc recorder, which has traditional control interface and reminds compact tape DVCAM VCR. In particular, it has DMC function (dynamic control of reproduction speed) in -2×…+2× limits from the nominal one. Having all advantages of disc recorder (for example, opportunity of speed data transfer) the model can be also used as simple disc server for reserving and also as network facility for exchange of materials. DSR-DR1000P is equipped with SDI, i. Link (i. S400), AES/EBU interfaces; has entries of synchronization (ref video), of composite, component, and S-Video-signals, and also of sound and temporary code.

Out of this review stayed VCR of Master DSR-2000P, DSR-1800P, DSR-1600P, DSR-1500AP series, and also DSR-85P and also few VCR of studio and professional application. These are facilities, well known to the professionals, detailed information about which is presented in special publications, in Sony catalogues in Russian, and in Internet.

“Corporation D&K” and “Ovako” companies presented the material