The missing piece of the jigsaw: the development of the Digital Betacam Camcorder
I. Sheldon · 1994
A significant part of modern TV production is not shot in the studio, but on location, in what has become known as Electronic Field Production, or EFP. In recent years, Analogue Component Camcorders, such as Sony's BVW-400 one piece unit, have been the generally accepted equipment for shooting such material. Recent advances in technology have made possible the application of Digital Video Processing to various parts of the TV production chain, such as Digital Video Effects, switchers, and VTRs, and this has allowed the use of complex Post Production techniques using many generations of video tape. The recent introduction by Sony of the range of Digital Betacam VTRs has combined the high quality multi generation performance of digital recording with the cost effectiveness of analogue, and so allowed many more users to move to a Component Digital environment. This ensures a consistent, high quality throughout the programme chain. However, up until now there has been a piece missing from the puzzle. Ultimate quality depends strongly on the acquisition quality of the material. A key element in Sony's Digital Betacam concept is the desire to extend the Digital environment all the way to Acquisition. This has led to the development of the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle, the Digital Betacam Camcorder.