Sony DSR-30P 58 EN, DVCAM and DV cassettes, Compatibility on playback, Differences between DVCAM and DV format

Compatibility of DVCAM and DV format

DVCAM format is developed as a more reliable and higher end format than consumer DV format. Here are explained about DVCAM and DV formats: the differences, compatibility, and limitations on editing.

Differences between DVCAM and DV format

Item	DVCAM	DV
Track pitch	15 ∝m	10 ∝m
Audio sampling	12bit: 32 kHz	12bit: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
frequency	16bit: 48 kHz	16bit: 48 kHz
Audio recording	Lock mode	Unlock mode
mode1)
Time mode	Drop frame system or	Drop frame system only
	Non-drop frame system

1)There are two modes for audio recording, Lock mode and Unlock mode. In Lock mode, the sampling frequencies of audio and video are synchronized. In Unlock mode, which consumer DV format adopts, the two sampling frequencies are independent. Therefore, lock mode is more effective than unlock mode in digital processing and smooth transition during audio editing.

DVCAM and DV cassettes

Both DVCAM and DV cassettes can be used on DVCAM or DV video equipment. The recording format of picture is defined according to recorder’s format as described below.

Recorder’s format	Cassette’s format	Recording format
DVCAM	DVCAM	DVCAM
	DV	DVCAM
DV	DVCAM	DV
	DV	DV

This digital video cassette recorder complies with DVCAM format. Though DV cassettes can be used for recording, we recommend you to use DVCAM cassettes to get the most out of high reliability of DVCAM format.

The recording time of DV cassettes is 2/3 shorter than that indicated on the DV cassettes.

Compatibility on playback

Some tapes cannot be played back on DVCAM or DV video equipment.

Tape	On DV video equipment	On DVCAM video equipment
DV-formatted	Can be played back	Can be played back
		(only when recorded in SP mode)
DVCAM-formatted	Some DV video equipment may be able to play	Can be played back
	back a DVCAM-formatted tape.

58 EN Additional Information