Overview Chapter 1

Features

The DSR-1800/1800P is a 1/4-inch digital video cassette recorder using the DVCAM digital recording format. It achieves stable, superb picture quality by digitally processing video signals separated into color difference signals and luminance signals (component method).

The unit is equipped with a variety of functions needed for videocassette recorders and players used in professional digital video editing systems. It supports the ClipLinkTM function developed by Sony Corporation for highly efficient video editing. When connected to a Sony EditStationTM, the unit serves as part of a powerful nonlinear editing system*.

The unit is also equipped with a full-fledged analog interface to support hybrid systems that combine conventional analog equipment with digital equipment.

*Non-linear editing: This is an editing method that uses video and audio signals digitally encoded and recorded on a hard disk as digital data. When compared with conventional (linear) editing methods, non-linear editing offers vastly improved efficiency in editing operations, for example, by eliminating tape transport time.

The main features of the unit are described in the following.

DVCAM Format

DVCAM is based on the consumer DV format, which uses the 4:1:1 component digital format, and provides a 1/4-inch digital recording format for professional use.

High picture quality, high stability

Video signals are separated into color difference signals and luminance signals, which are encoded and compressed to one-fifth size before being recorded to ensure stable and superb picture quality.

Because the recording is digital, multi-generation dubbing can be performed with virtually no deterioration of quality.

Wide track pitch

The recording track pitch is 15 µm, fully 50 percent wider than the 10-µm track pitch of the DV format. Thanks to this feature, the DVCAM format sufficiently meets the reliability and precision requirements of professional editing.

High-quality PCM digital audio

PCM recording makes for a wide dynamic range and a high signal-to-noise ratio, thereby enhancing sound quality.

There are two recording modes: 2-channel mode (48-kHz sampling and 16-bit quantization), which offers sound quality equivalent to the DAT (Digital Audio Tape) format, or 4-channel mode (32-kHz sampling and 12-bit quantization).

Playback compatibility with DV and DVCPRO formats

A DV cassette recorded on a DV format VCR as well as a DVCPRO (25M) format recorded cassette can be played back on this unit.

Note

When playing back a tape recorded in DVCPRO (25M) format, the SDTI and i.LINK outputs (see “Digital interfaces” on page 6) of this unit are muted. Furthermore, it is not possible to playback the cue-audio track of the tape.

Features 5