Sony Videocassette Recorders of D-10 Format (MPEG IMX)

By Vladimir Gordienko

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)

Among different recording formats represented on the market of professional equipment during the last years one of the most perspective ones is D-10 format (MPEG IMX), developed by The Sony Company. De facto the beginning of work on it corresponds to the middle of 1990th. And at present there is the full line of equipment of broadcast quality.

MPEG IMX itself is the development of the concept of Betacam SX format and is based on MPEG-2 compression. Betacam SX today represents the finished line, which provides all opportunities for formation of full production cycle of recording, setting-up, and giving the TV-program on the air. It includes videocassette recorders and video cameras and also equipment for recording and reproduction on hard discs, which supports MPEG-2 4:2:2 MP@ML standard, 18 Mbit/sec, video servers and disc recorder.

However constantly growing requirements of broadcast industry to the quality of program material and started transfer to digital broadcast had set a program of creation of new digital recording format on the basis of MPEG-2. Such development is done in the context of Sony presence in MPEG World Forum, branch initiative directed to support implementation of MPEG. The use of open MPEG-2 compression standard provides optimization of parameters of production process of programs on each of its stages. Today MPEG-2 is accepted international standard for delivery of digital programs to the users (one it are based systems of digital earth and satellite TV broadcast; in MPEG-2 recording to DVD-discs is produced), also it is used for delivery of program materials in centers of video production and for exchange of programs between TV centers.

In last year MPEG IMX had standardized SMPTE as D-10 format. It is totally comparable with Betacam SX in reproduction (18 Mbit/sec), but also it provides an opportunity of filming and reproduction with data bitrate of 50 Mbit/sec. For recording metal particle ½" tape with maximum recording time of up to 220 min to the cassettes of L type (up to 71 min to the cassettes of S type) is used. The speed of tape moving is 53.776 mm/sec. On one shot fall eight tracks with 21.7 mcm step, there lengthwise tracks for temporary code and control signals. Video signal is recorded with MPEG-2 4:2:2@ML compression and intraframe coding (ISO/IEC 13818-2000). Sound signal is recorded without compression with sampling frequency of 48 kHz, amount of channels is eight or four.

For work with this format Sony produces two lines of tape VCR. The facilities of series with MSW index correspond to the class of studio editing equipment, and inexpensive players with J index are mainly assigned for viewing of materials and their giving to the systems of non-linear editing.

MSW-M2000: general view (top) and view from connectors’ side

MSW-M2100P

Studios editing VCR MSW-A2000P and MSW-M2000P, and also MSW-M2100P players, have all advantages of contemporary digital technology. Their implementation in existing television complexes had significantly simplified due to the multi formats. All VCR of D-10 format not only use the most spread in the world ½" tapes, but also provide the full compatibility in reproduction with archived records in Betacam, Betacam SP, and Betacam SX formats. MSW-M2000P and MSW-M2100P models additionally allow reproducing also tapes of Digital Betacam formats. Besides, it is important that MPEG IMX, different from the majority of other video record formats is much more universal and represent the system compatible with MPEG-2 equipment of other manufactures.

In VCR of this series is used eight-unit component 4:2:2 video signal and compression algorithm MPEG-2 4:2:2@ML, 50 Mbit/sec, I-shots. Such parameters provide high quality of image and its safety during editing and numerous re-recording. For transfer of digital stream in MPEG-2 is used SDTI-CP (SMPTE 326M) interface, what allows giving digital data to other MPEG-facilities, for example, systems of non-linear editing and servers. The series is done in usual for professionals design of ½" studio Sony VCR, usual for Betacam SP, Betacam SX, and Digital Betacam models. The body is of 4U height, which foresees the setting of devises in standard 19" bodies, has weight of about 22 kg, traditional positioning of power elements, and power consumption of about 200 W. Among the innovations there should be mentioned the multi functional display on the front panel. On it different information about work, mode and setting of VCR is performed, what provides the fast access to different functions. Also special control organs of eight sound channels are added. Each one of eight sound channels (16 bits/48 kHz) supports an opportunity of independent editing. Besides it is possible to switch to the four-channeled mode of work (24 bits/48 kHz).

Except for the reproduction of tapes of Betacam family, studio D-10 VCR have an opportunity of switch between modes of 625/525 lines, what allows seeing the record done in NTSC system on PAL device. VCR with MSW index have very wide set of interfaces of input/output signals, including composite and component, SDI and SDTI-CP by video, four channels of analogous sound, AES/EBU (16 bits — eight channels, 24 bits — four channels), entries/outputs for different control signals, etc. There is no need to describe here details, it is possible to get acquainted with them on Sony site. We’ll just mention that interfaces are also very thought-out and comfortable from the point of view of communication with other equipment. It is also necessary to mention module construction of VCR. This highly simplifies the conducting of technical service. Construction of video heads unit and tape transport corresponds to the level of studio equipment.

VCRs of 2000 series are rather cloth in their parameters (and price). First differences are the following: VCR MSW-A2000P, different from the other two models doesn’t support operating with tapes of Digital Betacam format, and MSW-M2100P is the player (two other models are videocassette recorders). Devices provide editing in mode of insert and assembling with accuracy to shot, and also separate editing of video and digital sound in each of eight sound channels. Additionally, the editing with pre-read is realized and significantly fastens work and simplifies titles in-put, video overlay, correction of sound accompaniment, etc. The change of speed in -1…+3 range from nominal (for MPEG IMX, Betacam, Betacam SP formats and excluding MSW-A2000P model, for Digital Betacam), and also in -1…+2 range for Betacam SX is supported. At that noise bands on the image are absent, and the search by the phonogram in Digital Jog Sound mode is provided. The speed of search in Shuttle mode is 42× in relation to nominal for Betacam, Betacam SP videocassettes, 50× for Digital Betacam (except for MSW-A2000P), and 78× for Betacam SX and D-10. There is also DMC mode, which is used for slow reproduction, which is programmed from the control panel of recording VCR or external editing controller.

These devices are capable to scan tapes, which include Shot Marks. Finding of marks is done automatically, after scanning they are represented on the monitor, what allows easily and fast finding the needed place on the tape. Also multi segment recording is supported, which significantly simplifies the integration with existing systems of putting of program on the air. There is an opportunity of regulation of levels of video signal, color signal, black level, color phases signal, system clock pulses, system subcarrier, etc.

Almost all technical characteristics of D-10 VCR, from multi format to the wide range of entries/outputs and control interfaces are sorted out so, that among all other, to provide an opportunity of gradual and easy change in TV production of the park of tape VCR of all formats of Betacam family.

HDCAM J-1 (top) and J-3 video players

Additionally to the line of studio editing VCR Sony also produces the series of viewing players, including J-1, J-2, and J-3 models. These are relatively inexpensive models, which are interesting from the point of view of professional use due to this very multi format. If the task is limited with viewing and assembly of material into the system of nonlinear editing, it not reasonable to by studio device. Player of J series will be quite enough. The facilities of this series differ, at the first place, by the number of reproduced format. J-1 model works with Betacam, Betacam SP, and Betacam SX tapes. It falls out of this article, as it doesn’t support D-10. This opportunity is performed in J-2 and J-3 model. J-3 player reproduces, additionally to listed formats also Digital Betacam tapes.

VCR of J series have RS-422A control interface and correspondingly can be used for giving of initial materials to the servers and systems of non-linear editing. However in these VCR the functions, necessary for performing of editing functions are absent and models of J series are not appropriate for operating in the set of linear editing systems.

When buying and setting these VCR it is necessary to determine the formats of exiting video signal and buy corresponding board. The choice is the following: BKJ-1 provides exit of component analogous video signal; BKJ-2 provides SDI signal. Each one of the boards also has outputs of composite video signal, S-video and analogous sound signal.

Specialized software JZ-1 simplifies the control of VCR of this series with the help of PC. After its setting and connection of VCR and computer (with the board of video claw) on the RS-232C port operator can registry input and output editing points, adding comments to the scene. Besides, there is the function of shooting sheets for assembly of consequence of scene registration in the form of simple editing sheet. The export of registration sheets in different formats, including AVID Log Exchange for Avid Newscutter or Sony BVE-9100 for systems of linear/nonlinear editing, XML for server systems Sony NewsBase and HTML for Internet is supported. One more option named Tele-File, provides noncontact reading and recording from the memory chip, situated on the cassette label. VCR of J series are capable of scanning Shot Marks automatically, performing their list on the video monitor what allows performing fast and simple transfer to any mark.

These VCR have small size, weight about 7 kg and can be set not only in horizontal, but also in vertical position. Search speed range can account for up to 18× from the nominal (Betacam/Betacam SP), 20× (Digital Betacam), 32× (D-10), 35× (Betacam SX). External synchronization is supported.

“Matrix Engineering” represented the material