Compatibility of the DVCAM/DV formats

The DVCAM format was developed as a more reliable and higher-end format than the consumer DV format. Explained here are the differences, compatibility, and limitations on editing for the DVCAM and DV formats.

Differences between the DVCAM and DV formats

Specification

DVCAM

DV

TRACK

15 µm

10 µm

Pitch

 

 

 

 

 

Audio

12 bit:32 kHz

12 bit:32 kHz

sampling

16 bit:48 kHz

16 bit:48 kHz

frequency

 

44.1 kHz

 

 

48 kHz

 

 

 

Audio

Lock mode

Unlock

recording

 

mode

mode*

 

 

 

 

 

Time code

Drop frame

Drop frame

 

system or

System only

 

Non-drop

 

 

frame

 

 

system

 

 

(SMPTE

 

 

time code)

 

 

 

 

*There are 2 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 the consumer DV format adopts, the 2 sampling frequencies are independent. Therefore, lock mode is more effective than unlock mode in digital processing and smooth transition during audio editing.

Mini DVCAM and mini DV cassettes

The recording format of the picture is defined according to the recorder’s format as described below.

Recorder’s

Cassette’s

Recording

format

format

format

DVCAM

DVCAM

DVCAM

 

DV

 

 

 

 

DV

DVCAM

DV

 

DV

 

 

 

 

This camcorder complies with the DVCAM format.

Though mini DV cassettes can be used for recording, we recommend you use mini DVCAM cassettes to get the most out of the high reliability of the DVCAM format.

The recording time of mini DV cassettes is 1/3 shorter than that indicated on mini DV cassettes when recorded in the DVCAM format.

Compatibility on playback

Tape

On DV video

On DVCAM

 

equipment

video

 

 

equipment

DV

Can be

Can be

formatted

playback

played back

 

 

only when

 

 

recorded in

 

 

SP mode

 

 

 

DVCAM

Can be

Can be

formatted

played back

playback

 

on some

 

 

equipment

 

 

 

 

Information Additional

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