DVCAM

Introduction


DVCAM is a professional-quality variation of the DV video encoding that was introduced by Sony in 1996. DVCAM also refers to video tape recorders and DV and MiniDV videocassettes that are designed to support the DVCAM video recording specification. DVCAM uses the same tape width and compression scheme as DV but increases the track pitch from 10 microns to 15 microns. The recording speed of DVCAM is also significantly higher than DV cassettes. DVCAM recordings have improved colour rendition and robustness, employ “locked audio” tracks, and are well suited for linear editing environments. The DVCAM format was primarily used in professional markets for electronic news gathering, cable television, documentaries and other long form video production.

Identification


Image source

Sony DVCAM PDVM-32N/3 32 Minutes. TapeOnline.com. Accessed February 22, 2021. 

Image source

Preservation Self Assessment Program. "Videotape: DVCAM." University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Accessed February 3, 2021. 

Physical Characteristics


Tape width¼ inch (6.35mm)
Tape compositionMetal evaporate (ME)
Cassette dimensions

Large cassettes:  4 7/8" x 3" x 9/16"

Small cassettes: 2 9/16" x 1 7/8" x 9/16"

Container dimensions

Large cassettes: 5 3/8" x 3 11/16" x 3/4"

Small cassettes:  3 1/16" x 2 1/2" x 3/4"

Identifying features

Cassettes are usually bluish grey and are labeled as DVCAM in the upper righthand corner

Common manufacturers/brandsSony
Playback

DVCAM tapes can be played using DVCAM, DV and DVCPRO VTRs

DVCAM VTRs can playback DVCAM and DV tapes. 

Technical Characteristics


Record time

Large cassettes: 184 minutes 

Small cassettes: 40 minutes

Track pitch15 microns
Track width 15 microns
Record/playback speed28.215 mm/sec
Bitrate25 Mbit/s
Bit depth8 bit
Colour sampling

NTSC: 4:1:1 

PAL: 4:2:0 

Resolution

NTSC: 720x480 

PAL: 720x576

Compression5:1 DVC-format DCT compression 


Technical standards


  1. Society for Motion Picture Technical Engineers (SMPTE) standard for television 314M Data structure for DV-based audio, data and compressed video – 25 and 50 MB/s. The differences between IEC 61834-5 and SMPTE 314M are shown in Annex A of SMPTE 314M.


Storage



Storage environment: temperature

Ideal: 40–54°F (4.5–12°C)

Acceptable: 55–60°F (13–15.5°C)

Storage environment: humidity30–50% RH
Container

 DVCAM containers should pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT) as specified ISO Standard 18916:2007

  • Plastic: Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester (a.k.a. Mylar D or Melinex 516). No PVC or acetate
  • Paper/Paperboard: If paper containers are necessary, they should be constructed from lignin-free, neutral pH paper/paperboard

Containers are acceptable if they:

  • Are clean and free of mould
  • Protect the media from dust and other contaminants
  • Are not introducing contaminants through degradation

Unacceptable containers must be replaced with clean, inert containers.

Orientation of tape in storageVertical on its end (like books)

Types of damage and deterioration


Binder deterioration 

Image source

"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. 

Cause

Polyester urethane is prone to moisture absorption which can cause the molecular structure of the binder to break down. This process is accelerated by high temperature and high humidity.

Remedy

Environmental conditioning: Moving the tape to a controlled storage environment (40°C / 20 to 25% Relative Humidity) may reverse the affects of hydrolysis over time.

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

Image source

"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. 

Cause

Tapes kept in dusty conditions will accumulate particulate matter, increasing the risk of drop-out. 

Remedy

Flaking/missing magnetic oxide particles are an indication of tape deterioration. This type of drop-out cannot be corrected physically. 

Mould

Image source

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. 

Cause

Storing tapes at high temperature and relative humidity levels can facilitate the growth of mould. 

Remedy

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.  

Stretching and breaking

Image source

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.  

Remedy

Stretching can distort the tape signal however data can usually be recovered (with a decrease in signal quality). 

Accidental recording

Image source

Record Protection Mechanisms: MiniDV. Preservation Self Assessment Program. Accessed February 24, 2021. 

Description

Camera operators can accidentally record over pre-existing footage

Cause 

Tape is set to "record mode" when it is inserted into camera or deck

Remedy

Ensure tape is set to "safe mode" before inserting into camera or deck.

Risk assessment


HIGH RISK

  1. Digital video material stored on magnetic videotape is considered to be at high-risk of loss or degradation.

    1. Polyester base film used in videotape is considered very stable.

    2. Other components of the videotape, including the binder, are considerably less stable and are more likely to be the cause of degradation.

    3. Format obsolesce, including lack of well-functioning playback equipment poses an equal or even greater risk than degradation, even with higher quality formats such as Digital Betacam

  2. Archivists should appraise or reappraise digital video material stored on magnetic tape to determine the nature and significance of video elements contained on the tape. See Section 5 of the University Archives Procedure Manual for guidance on appraising sound recordings and moving images.

  3. The archival appraisal should determine whether the video elements have sufficient archival value to justify reformatting and long-term preservation as digital video files.

Related resources


Digitization Handbook:

University Archives Manual

Technology Watch

Further Reading


Visit the /wiki/spaces/ALC/overview for further reading on /wiki/spaces/ALC/pages/1891631115

References


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 DVCAM Format." Accessed February 3, 2021. 

Museum of Obsolete Media. "DVCAM (1996 – )." Accessed February 3, 2021. 

PCMag. "DVCAM." Accessed February 3, 2021. 

Preservation Self Assessment Program. "Videotape: DVCAM." 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. 

Wilt, Adam J. "The DV, DVCAM & DVCPRO Formats." July 16, 2006. 

Version history


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