10
Technology – A Behind The Scenes Look
The new drum assembly has 8 channels each of recording and confidence-
playback heads, plus a pair of flying-erase heads. As with all recent Sony
high-end VTRs, the SRW-5000 uses DT heads for normal playback as well as
variable speed and jog playback. Precise tracking of the HDCAM-SR format
tape is reliably secured by utilizing the newly designed 4-tip, 8-gap DT head
assembly. Each tip has two gaps, which are slightly offset from each other.
During playback, both gaps simultaneously trace the same video track. The
off-tape data from the gap that produces a higher output signal is used for the
actual image playback. In comparison to conventional systems, this unique
mechanism allows a wider tolerance in head-to-track tracing. A dedicated pair
of DT head assemblies performs legacy playback of HDCAM and Digital
BETACAM tapes. Remarkably, despite the complexity of this new recording
drum, durability and lifetime are expected to be equal to that of existing Sony
1/2” tape formats.
Retaining The Virtues Of Sony 1/2” Formats: The New Drum Assembly
Particle Size
Video Output Level Comparison
A newly developed, ultra-fine-grain magnetic particle creates the very thin
magnetic layer required to achieve the minimum recording wavelength of 0.29µ.
This minimum wavelength allows the tape to hold more data and increases the
tape transfer rate, resulting in increased performance. Not only that, but
stable and consistent playback results are provided through a new proprietary
manufacturing process that minimizes tape deformation. What’s more, because
the tape medium is designed with a highly rigid new base film material treated
with antioxidants, the tape is also ideal for archiving purposes.
More Power, More Stability: The New Tape Formula
Tape Structure