A Proposal for a Digital Tape Format to Complement Disc-Based Editing

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 Undoubtedly the role of the VTR in editing and post-production is diminishing, being superseded by more flexible and cost-effective nonlinear systems.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

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1995-11

Content type

Information

DOI

10.5594/J04688