The Videotape Recorder: Its Evolution and the Present State of the Art of VTR Technology

Hiroshi Sugaya

The videotape recorder (VTR) is one of the most important devices available for the storage and retrieval of visual information. Since the introduction of the first commercially successful broadcast VTRs in 1956, improvements in VTR technology have been directly and exclusively related to increases in the recording density on magnetic tape. Modern high-density recording technology has resulted in many remarkable products and techniques, including high-quality broadcast VTR equipment, inexpensive and convenient home-use VTRs, and extremely compact camera-video equipment. The overall performance of VTRs is rapidly improving as the latest techniques of digital technology and LSI devices are incorporated in such innovative approaches as frequency modulation and the pulse-code modulation recording method. This article discusses the developmental background of the VTR and the latest VTR technology.

Print ISSN
Published
1986-03
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J03297