Digital Video was all the rage in the 1990s as it started to truly replace analog options in both the professional and amateur markets. The format was standardized and used across multiple companies and products, with Sony and Panasonic being two of the biggest producers.
Sony’s DVCam was released in 1996 as a new-and-improved version of its original DV equipment. In this article, we look at exactly what DVCam was and how it differed from its predecessors and competitors.
WHAT IS DVCAM?
DVCam is one of a few DV (Digital Video) format products produced by companies like Sony and Panasonic in the 1990s, alongside others such as:
DV and MiniDV were aimed at the home video market for families and amateurs, while DVCPRO was made for professionals in the television industry.
DVCam, on the other hand, was somewhere in between. It was aimed at the semi-professional and lower-end professional market. It was very similar to DV and MiniDV, using the same type of tape and compression, but the tape speed was almost 50% faster. This reduced the recording time by about 33% compared to DV.
In terms of products, the DVCam range included everything you need to set up a semi-professional system. There were DVCam digital camcorders, which recorded onto DVCam tapes, and DVCam digital VTRs which played back those tapes.
DVCAM TAPE LENGTHS EXPLAINED
DVCam tapes came in two sizes: standard and mini. The standard size could record for up to 184 minutes, while the mini-size tape could record for 40 minutes.
In terms of cassette size, the standard size tape was the same size as the medium-size DV tape and the mini tape was the same size as MiniDV tapes.
DVCAM RESOLUTION EXPLAINED
The DVCam format uses 8-bit digital component recording with a 5:1 compression ratio, with Sony’s compression algorithm providing excellent picture quality. It also has a wider track pitch of 15 µm (compared to 10 µm for DV) which allows for more precise and reliable results during professional editing.
The audio quality was superior, as well. You could choose from a two-channel mode with 48 kHz/16-bit recording or a four-channel mode with 32 kHz/12-bit recording.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DV VS DVCAM VS MINIDV?
DV, DVCam, and MiniDV are all Sony products and they do have a lot in common. DV was the first of these to be released and it was Sony’s first Digital Video format product. Later, they released the much smaller version called MiniDV — this was the same product, but just in a smaller form factor.
In 1996, DVCam was released as a “professional extension” of Sony’s DV products. It used the same kind of tape and the same kind of compression as DV and MiniDV but the tape traveled faster, provided better quality, and editing was more precise.
IS DVCAM THE SAME AS DVCPRO?
DVPRO, on the other hand, is not a Sony product. Instead, it’s Panasonic’s professional version of the DV format. While they are made by different companies, DV, MiniDV, DVCam, and DVCPRO products are quite similar. There were even VCRs available that could play all of these different tapes.
DOES SONY STILL MAKE DVCAM TAPES?
Despite the fact that DVCam is almost 30 years old now, Sony does still make DVCam tapes and camcorders. The product has evolved over time, however, and is now marketed towards high-end professionals.
If you have retro DVCam tapes from the 1990s, they could be starting to deteriorate. The plastic cassettes can’t protect the tape inside forever, and you could lose the data if the tape becomes damaged beyond repair.
CAN I CONVERT DVCAM TO DIGITAL?
Many things can damage video tapes over time. Playing them too frequently can wear them down, though playing them too infrequently can lead to sticking. Humidity and temperature can also cause problems, and improper storage is dangerous too.
The biggest danger to tapes, however, is unavoidable — age. They weren’t made to last forever, as the magnetic tape used inside the cassette naturally degrades over time even when you do look after it well.
The best thing you can do to preserve your video footage and enjoy your tapes is to make digital backups. To do this, you need to have a compatible video deck — which can be hard to find — but at EverPresent we have all the tech needed to transfer your DVCam and DVCPRO tapes to DVDs or USB flash drives.
We can provide standard streaming files in the h264 .mp4 codec or go a little more advanced with files like ProResHQ. Whatever you choose, we’ll organize your digitized collection and return your tapes to you cleaned and exercised, so you can continue to enjoy them for as long as they last. Get in touch to tell us about your project and see how we can help you.
About Vanessa Boucher
Vanessa Boucher has personally helped over 500 families share memories and history through unique projects as a consultant and Marketing Manager for Brand & Engagement at EverPresent, the nation’s leading digital photo organizing company. A graphic/web designer and crafting enthusiast, Vanessa is one of the thought leaders behind EverPresent’s innovative website and blog, where she shares best practices and tips on topics ranging from digitizing irreplaceable memorabilia to creating stunning photo books