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)
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