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.

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

Differences between the DVCAM and DV formats

Specification

DVCAM

DV

TRACK15 µm10 µm
Pitch

 

 

 

 

 

Audio12 bit:3212 bit:32 kHz
samplingkHz16 bit:48 kHz
frequency16 bit:4844.1 kHz

 

kHz

48 kHz

 

 

 

Audio

Lock modeLock/Unlock
recording

 

mode
mode*

 

 

*There are 2 modes for audio recording, lock mode and unlock mode. In lock mode, the sampling frequencies of audio and video are synchronized. Therefore, lock mode is more effective than unlock mode in digital processing and smooth transition during audio editing.

DVCAM

DVCAM

DVCAM

 

DV

 

 

 

 

DV

DVCAM

DV

 

DV

 

 

 

 

bNotes

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

formattedplaybackplayed 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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