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In the early 90’s, sales for higher end consumer and prosumer video equipment started to flatten. Something had to be done. A better mousetrap needed to be built. To avoid a replay of the grueling standard wars, 55 companies formed a consortium and embarked on the development of a new digital video format. The format was first called DVC (as in Digital Video Cassette), later it was called simply DV. (As in Definitive Video ... just kidding). Launched in late 1995, it became an instant success. Here's how it works |
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What Is DV? (DVC? DVCAM? DVCPRO?) Some people claim that DV is a video format which escaped the labs prematurely,
before marketing managers could "dumb it down". Companies with an
established presence in the industrial video and professional area quickly saw the sales
of their higher priced units dwindling as organizations like CBS or BBC started buying VX1000s in
wholesale fashion. "Professional" variants of DV were invented. And we had
a format war after all. DVCPRO
was sent into battle by Panasonic in 1995, followed one year later by Sony's DVCAM. The
formats sound alike, they basically use the same video and audio encoding format as the
consumer DV format. But they have subtle and not-so-subtle differences in speed, makeup
and track pitch of the tapes being used. Of course, they also cost significantly more than
the consumer models. To "differentiate" the products even more, Sony
invented some hurdles which can prevent copying from DV to DVCAM via Firewire.
But these hurdles have been overcome by Adaptec
in software and by readers of the DV-L list through some ingenious switchcraft. DV vs. Betacam SP: 4:1:1 vs. 4:2:2, Artifacts and Other Controversies.Roger Jennings discusses and compares the two formats. No holds barred. Do you rrrreally want to know what DV is?Honestly? All the gory details? Down to the nitty-gritty? Then you must have the (in)famous Blue Book, which lays down the DV standard. The Brue ..err. Blue Book costs around $500 (depending on the yen / greenback ratio) and can be obtained from: M. Tsunoo Tel: +81-6-905-4023 The contents is a bit challenging. You have been warned. Apparently, Tsunoo-San
isn't wired. Snailmail or phone must do. News. Links. Products. We want your input. |
