Betacam

A high-quality videotape technology introduced by Sony in 1982. Initially an analog format with digital following later (see Digital Betacam), Betacam was designed for professional TV recording. Time codes are built into the Betacam 1/2" helical scan format to support precise editing of the recorded material. Betacam evolved from Sony's Betamax format, but with a large increase in tape speed and using component video signal separation rather than composite video (see component video and composite video).

Betacam SP (Betacam Superior Performance) came out in 1986, increasing resolution from 300 to 340 lines and adding improvements to the tape and recorders. Using a larger cassette that increased time from 30 to 90 minutes, Betacam SP was widely used in professional applications until Digital Betacam took over in the late 1990s.

A Boon for Camera Operators
Although heavy by today's standards, the first Betacam camcorders were considerably lighter than the video cameras of the era. Betacam was a welcome breakthrough for cameramen shooting on location.

In 2001, Sony announced end of life for its analog Betacam camcorders; however, digital Betacam VTRs can typically play back analog cartridges. See Digital Betacam and Betamax.

   BETACAM FORMATS

   Year
   Intro. Version     Recording Method


   Analog

   1982   Betacam     Component Analog
   1986   Betacam SP  Component Analog
                       (metal tape)


                            Sampling &
   SD Digital               (Compression)

   1994   Digital Betacam   4:2:2 (DCT)
   1996   Betacam SX        4:2:2 (MPEG-2)
   2000   MPEG IMX          4:2:2 (MPEG-2)


   HD Digital

   1997   HDCAM             3:1:1 (DCT)
   2003   HDCAM SR          4:4:4 (MPEG-4)

Betacam VTR and Cartridges

Betacam videotape recorders (VTRs) are not your ordinary home VCRs. Used in professional studios, they cost up to 100 times that of a consumer VHS machine. Betacam is the de facto broadcast video format worldwide, and cartridges come in small and large formats.