Introduction

HDV is a high-definition variation of the DV video encoding specification that uses MPEG-2 compression to achieve the same data rate as the DV, DVCAM, and DVCPRO video encoding specifications. It was developed by Sony, Canon, JVC and Sharp and was introduced to the consumer market in 2003. HDV video can be captured in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p and can be recorded using MiniDV or Standard DVC cassettes.

Image source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDV

Physical Characteristics

Tape width
Tape composition
Cassette dimensions
Container dimensions
Identifying features
Common manufacturers/brands
Playback

Technical Characteristics

Version	HDV 720p	HDV 1080i
Record time
Record/playback speed
Bitrate	19.7 Mbit/s	25 Mbit/s
Bit depth
Colour sampling
Resolution
Compression

Techical standards

The HDV specification has not been standardized but it is based on the DV specification and uses MPEG-2 encoding, which is standardized in ISO/IEC 13818:2015 generic coding of motion pictures and associated audio information.

Storage

Storage environment: temperature	Ideal: 40–54°F (4.5–12°C) Acceptable: 55–60°F (13–15.5°C)
Storage environment: humidity	30–50% RH
Container	HDV 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 storage	Vertical on its end (like books)

Risk assessment

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
Digital video material stored on magnetic tape should be appraised or re-appraised to determine the nature and signficance of video elements contained on the tape and whether the video elements have sufficient archival value to justify reformatting and long-term preservation as digital video files.

Types of damage and deterioration

Binder deterioration
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
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
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
Description	The elongation of parts of the tape, across the full width of the tape or -most likely- on one or the other side of the tape The separation of tape into two or more pieces.
Cause	usually results from either improper wind or from faulty equipment. May cause long-edge or curvature problems, and distort the signal, but the data can generally be retrieved from an analog tape, usually with a decrease in signal quality." Improper handling or use of playback equipment.
Remedy
Accidental recording
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

References

AMIA. "Video Preservation Factsheets." Accessed December 10, 2020.

Avid. "Working With HDV." Accessed February 3, 2021.

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.

MediaCollege.com. "The HDV Video Format." Accessed February 3, 2021.

Museum of Obsolete Media. "HDV (2003 – 2011)." Accessed February 3, 2021.

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

Wheeler, Jim. "Videotape preservation handbook." 2002.