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Introduction
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MiniDV is a digital video cassette format that utilizes the DV encoding standard. The first MiniDV camcorder was released in 1996 and was used in consumer, industrial, and educational sectors. MiniDV has the same tape width (1/4") and compression as standard DVC, however the tape is housed in a smaller cassette. MiniDV was more popular among consumers at the time and became the most widely used DV cassette format. Some MiniDV cassettes incorporated memory in cassette (MIC) technology to store additional data such as camera settings, dates and times of recordings and a list of contents.
Identification
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https://uclalibrary.github.io/ideptoolkit///minidvHow To Transfer and Capture MiniDV Tapes to Your Computer. DVD Your Memories. 2020. |
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"Mini DV Transfer." In IDEP Partner Toolkit. UCLA Library. 2020. |
Physical Characteristics
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| Tape width | ¼ inch (6.35mm) |
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| Tape composition | Metal evaporate (ME) |
| Cassette dimensions | 2 9/16" x 1 7/8" x 7/16" |
| Container dimensions | 2 7/8" x 2" x 5/8" |
| Identifying features | Sony MiniDV cassettes are usually labeled in the lower left hand corner Panasonic MiniDV cassettes are usually labeled with a sticker on the right side |
| Common manufacturers/brands | Sony, Panasonic, JVC |
| Playback |
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| Record time | Standard play: 60 - 80 minutes Long play: 90 - 120 minutes |
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| Record/playback speed | Standard play mode: 18.81 mm/sec |
| Track pitch | Standard play: 10 microns Long play: 6.7 microns |
| Track width | Standard play: 10 microns Long play: 6.7 microns |
| Bitrate | 25 Mbit/s |
| Bit depth | 8 bit |
| Colour sampling | PAL: 4:2:0 NTSC: 4:1:1 |
| Resolution | PAL: 720x576 |
| Compression | 5:1 DVC-format DCT compression (intra-frame) |
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Types of damage and deterioration
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Binder deteriorationdeterioration
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"1.1.3. Inspect for damage / Look for chemical deterioration / Binder degradation". In Audio Tape Digitisation Workflow. Accessed February 22, 2021. |
Description
Commonly known as "sticky shed syndrome." Affected records will have a visible gummy or powdery residue on the surface of the tape. This can damage both the recorded material and playback equipment. Back-coated tapes are most affected by this type of deterioration.
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Baking: Holding the tape at an elevated temperature (45°C to 55°C) for a brief period of time (up to 36 hours) can temporarily remove moisture and allow normal playback for a period of one to two weeks. Tapes should not be rewound before baking.
Drop-out
https://www.musiikkiarkisto.fi/audio/audio113.html
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"1.1.3. Inspect for damage / Look for chemical deterioration / Binder degradation". In Audio Tape Digitisation Workflow. Accessed February 22, 2021. |
Description
A brief signal loss caused by a tape head clog, missing magnetic oxide particles, tape defect, or debris on the tape or machine. These factors can reduce head-to-tape spacing and result in the appearance of white spots or streaks on playback. Multiple drop-outs per frame will result in a snowy appearance.
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Flaking/missing magnetic oxide particles are an indication of tape deterioration. This type of drop-out cannot be corrected physically.
Mould
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Are Your Video Tapes Showing Bad Signs of Mould. MultiMedia Select. Accessed February 24, 2021. |
Description
Active mould is generally moist while dormant mould is dry and dusty. Mould growths may be white, black, brown or mustard-coloured and usually have a pattered, fuzzy, or thread-like appearance. Mould can cause permanent damage to tapes over time if not removed. Fungus and mould is also a significant health hazard and affected materials should be handled using gloves and masks.
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Mouldy tapes should be isolated from unaffected materials to prevent cross contamination. Store tapes at a temperature of 24°C in an environment with effective air circulation and less than 50% Relative Humidity. Loose mold can be vacuumed from the tape pack and then the tape should be treated with an appropriate fungicide.
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treated with an appropriate fungicide.
Stretching and breaking
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Figure 20. Wrinkled VHS tape. Caring for audio, video and data recording media. Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute. June 30, 2020. |
Cause
Stretching and breaking of video tape usually results from improper handling or use of playback equipment.
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Stretching can distort the tape signal however data can usually be recovered (with a decrease in signal quality).
Accidental recording
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Record Protection Mechanisms: MiniDV. Preservation Self Assessment Program. Accessed February 24, 2021. |
Description
Camera operators can accidentally record over pre-existing footage
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- Section 9.0 - Outsourced digitization of audiovisual items
- Appendix C - Technical specifications for moving images
University Archives Procedure Manual
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Visit the /wiki/spaces/ALC/overview for further reading on /wiki/spaces/ALC/pages/1891631115.
Sources
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AMIA. "Video Preservation Factsheets." Accessed December 10, 2020.
Bensinger, Charles. "Chapter 6: All about videotape." In The Video Guide, Second Edition, 71-75. Santa Barbara, California: Video-Info Publications, 1981.
Bogart, John Van. "What Can Go Wrong With Magnetic Media?" In Magnetic Tape Storage and Handling: A Guide for Libraries and Archives. Washington, DC: The Commission on Preservation and Access, 1995.
Casey, Mike. "FACET: Format characteristics and preservation problems." Bloomington, IN: Indiana University, 2007.
Gibson, Gerald. D. "Magnetic tape deterioration: recognition, recovery and prevention." Paper presented at the IASA Conference, Perugia, August 26, 1996.
Jimenez, Mona and Liss Platt. "Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide." Texas Commission on the Arts. 2004.
MediaCollege.com. "The MiniDV Format." Accessed February 3, 2021.
Museum of Obsolete Media. "MiniDV (1995 – late 2000s)." Accessed February 3, 2021.
Nielsen, Rebecca. "Media Recognition: DV Part 1." Bodleian Libraries. March 26, 2012.
Preservation Self Assessment Program. "Videotape: MiniDV." University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Accessed February 3, 2021.
WDVA. "Do DV Formats Mystify You?" 2004.
Wheeler, Jim. "Videotape preservation handbook." 2002.
Wilt, Adam J. "The DV, DVCAM & DVCPRO Formats: The DV formats tabulated." August 28, 2005.
Version history
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