Introduction to Digital Video, 2nd Edition

Chapter 8

Introduction to the digital VTR

8.1 History of DVTRs

The first production DVTR, launched in 1987, used the D-1 format which recorded colour difference data according to CCIR-601 on ¾-inch tape. D-1 was too early to take advantage of high-coercivity tapes and its recording density was quite low, leading to large cassettes and high running costs. As a result, D-1 found application only in high-end post-production suites. The D-2 format came next, but this was a composite digital format, handling conventional PAL and NTSC signals in digital form, and derived from a format developed by Ampex for an automated cart. machine. The choice of composite recording was intended to allow broadcasters directly to replace analog recorders with a digital ...