The DV (Digital Video) format is well-known among consumers for its MiniDV tapes, but there was also a larger professional variant developed by Panasonic called DVCPRO.

If you’ve found old DVCPRO tapes in your collection, you might want to know a little more about what they are, what they were used for, and what other tech they’re compatible with. We’ll answer all of these questions in this post, so keep reading.

WHAT IS DVCPRO?

The DV format was originally launched in 1995 by a group of manufacturers, including Sony and Panasonic. Over time, the following products were added to the DV lineup:

  • DV
  • MiniDV
  • DVCAM
  • Digital8
  • HDV
  • DVCPRO
  • DVCPRO50
  • DVCPRO HD

The format uses intraframe compression which makes it good for editing.
DVCPRO VCRs also existed, and they could play DVCPRO, DV, and DVCAM tapes, as well as MiniDV tapes if you had an adapter.

WHAT WAS DVCPRO USED FOR?

DVCPRO tapes were developed by Panasonic and came in two lengths: 66 minutes and 126 minutes. As the name suggests, DVCPRO was developed for professional use and produced higher-quality footage than DV or MiniDV tapes. It used the helical scan method with a rotating head and diagonal tracks to provide a fast transfer rate even with slow-moving tapes.

Other features included metal particle (MP) tapes and cueing tracks for easier editing. It also “locked” audio in place so it couldn’t fall out of sync with the video footage. The tapes had an 18-micron track width and a tape speed of 33.82 millimeters per second. DVCPRO was particularly popular for ENG (Electronic News Gathering).

Panasonic launched its version in 1995, but DVCPRO products were also manufactured by other companies like Phillips, Ikegami, and Hitachi.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DVCPRO

There are three different types of DVCPRO tapes, the first of which is also known as DVCPRO Standard or DVCPRO 25 for clarity. The second type, which launched in 1997, was called DVCPRO 50. It doubled the transfer rate of standard DV tapes, while DVCPRO HD (released in 2000), quadrupled the transfer rate.

It also increased the Standard Definition (SD) 720x480i resolution to three possible High Definition (HD) resolutions:

  • 960x720x60p/50p
  • 1280x1080x60i
  • 1440x1080x50i

The different types came in different tape sizes and had different colored tape doors. DVCPRO is yellow, DVCPRO 50 is blue, and DVCPRO HD is red.

HOW LONG ARE DVCPRO TAPES?

Medium DVCPRO tapes can record for a total of 66 minutes, while large-size cassettes have a runtime of 126 minutes.

HOW TO PLAY DVCPRO

The easiest way to play DVCPRO tapes is to use a VCR. Here’s a list of different types Panasonic released:

  • Panasonic AJ-D640 x 2
  • Panasonic AJ-D940 PAL / NTSC 25 / 50 Mbps
  • Panasonic AJ-D750 x 2
  • Panasonic AG-DV2500 PAL / NTSC
  • Panasonic AJ-HD1400
  • Panasonic AJ-SD255

These machines can also play DV and DVCAM tapes so they can be quite useful. If you can’t get your hands on a VCR, you can also find out what’s on your old tapes by digitizing them. This means you’ll also be able to store them on your computer, share the files, and keep them safe for longer than the physical tapes will last.

HOW LONG DO DVCPRO TAPES LAST?

DVCPRO tapes from the 90s are still in working condition today but they are prone to tape-splitting, which can completely spoil the footage. It’s hard to say how much longer the tapes will last in general, even if they’re kept in the best possible conditions.

Because of this, it’s best to digitize your tapes while they’re still in good condition. Then, the footage will be safe and you can enjoy your tapes without worrying about damage and degradation.

DVCPRO TAPE TRANSFERS FROM EVERPRESENT

At EverPresent, we have a working set of DVCPRO video decks and offer high-quality transfer services. We can provide files in the h264 .mp4 codec or more advanced digital files like ProResHQ.

We can label and archive both your original and the transfer collection, making it easy for you to use and enjoy both your physical and digital footage. We love working with both small family projects and bigger collections from professional organizations, so feel free to get in touch with us today if you have tapes you want to preserve.

/

About

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