DVCAM

Theory

Origin of the Species

Digital Video includes DVCAM as well as DV, 24P, Digital Betacam, HD, Digital8, Digital S, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50 and DVCPRO100. DV is sometimes called DVC (Digital Video Cassette), and you’ll still see some tapes labeled “DVC” on the package. The common thread among all these formats is that the video signal is stored in binary code: ones and zeroes. Analog video stores the information as waves that change in frequency and amplitude (think of an oscilloscope or waves in the ocean).

DV began as a 1/4" digital video format, originally designed for the consumer market, to replace Hi8. Like many previous tape formats, the consumer version caught the eye of professionals, and Sony adapted it for professional use by increasing ...