Sony HVR-M15E, HVR-M15N, HVR-M15P, HVR-M15U Appendix, Compatibility of HDV, DVCAM, and DV Formats

Appendix

Compatibility of HDV, DVCAM, and DV Formats

HDV format is an HD VCR format based on DV format of the globally widespread general consumer digital VCR system. This format has the newly defined data recording specifications for HD signals compressed by MPEG2. It applies the same cassette, tape speed, and track pitch as DV format. The differences, compatibility, and restrictions in editing of HDV1080i, DVCAM, and DV formats are explained below.

Main differences between HDV1080i, DVCAM, and DV Formats

(The unit and other equipment for professional use may be functionally extended. For details, see the notes below the table.)

	Specification	HDV1080i	DVCAM	DV (SP)
	Track pitch	10 µm	15 µm	10 µm
	Audio sampling frequency	16 bit: 48 kHz	12 bit: 32 kHz	12 bit: 32 kHz
			16 bit: 48 kHz	16 bit: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz 2)
	Audio recording mode 1)	Lock mode	Lock mode	Unlock mode 3)
	Time code	Drop frame mode	NTSC: SMPTE time code	Drop frame mode
Appendix		(60i only) 4)	(DF/NDF, including user bits)	(NTSC only) 4)
		No user bits 5)	PAL: EBU time code	No user bits 5)
			(including user bits) 5)

1)There are two modes for audio signal recording: Lock mode and Unlock mode. In Lock mode, the sampling frequencies of audio and video are synchronized. In Unlock mode, adopted by the consumer DV format, the two sampling frequencies are independent. Lock mode maintains high compatibility with higher formats and offers better digital processing and smooth transition than Unlock mode when you edit audio.

2)The unit cannot record in DV format with 16 bit: 32 kHz or 44.1 kHz.

3)The unit has been functionally extended with a function for switching between Lock mode and Unlock mode.

4)The unit has been functionally extended with a function to enable DF/NDF setting for 60i with HDV or DV (SP) format.

5)The unit does not have user bit settings. (There are some devices which you can adjust the user bit settings.)

68 Appendix