Digital Acquisition without Compromise-the Missing Link

Editing techniques in film and television are changing rapidly. Non-linear disc based systems already enjoy a substantial installed base addressing off-line, news quality and full post production requirements. Undoubtedly the role of the VTR in editing and post is diminishing, being superseded by more flexible and cost effective non linear systems. This trend suggests a tapeless future and proposals already exist for disc based camcorders and M/O technology archiving. Technologically exciting, many such schemes capitalise on the inflexibilities and occasional unreliability built into video tape formats by the need to edit on tape. — Starting from the viewpoint that all editing will be performed in a non tape environment, the paper analyses the true expectations and requirements of a tape format. Concentrating only on tape for acquisition, frees the format in many ways. Constant speed, constant data rate may be parameters of the past. Flying erase heads, full width erase heads and computer servos could be technology of the past. A cruder variable linear speed recorder may suffice. — Capable of handling compressed and full CCIR 601 quality — a new format could enjoy wide acceptance, through low cost flexible acquisition.

Published

1995-02

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/M00846

ISBN

978-1-61482-922-5