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Panasonic, Maxell, Fuji DVCPRO Tapes Format FAQ's

Panasonic, Maxell, Fuji DVCPRO Tapes Format FAQ'sThings you should know!
  • What are the differences between Mini DV and the DVCPRO formats?
    The main distinction is that DVCPRO is for professional use, while Mini DV is a consumer digital video format. Also, while both share the same digital compression technology, the tapes differ in size: MiniDV digital camcorders use a tape 1/12th the size of a VHS tape, and DVCPRO camcorders use a slightly bigger tape.

    DVCPRO camcorders do, however, have adapter packs that allow them to play back Mini DV tapes. DVCPRO camcorders also typically offer higher resolution than consumer Mini DV digital camcorders.

  • What is DV?
  • What's the difference between DV, DVCAM, and DVCPRO?
  • How good are the DV formats compared to other formats?
  • What are the DV artifacts I keep hearing about?
  • The DV formats tabulated table
  • What are Digital-S and DVCPRO50?
  • Four codecs for HD?
  • What's the deal with DVCPRO gear and 1394?


    DVCPRO Tape Line-Up: Compatibility & Interchangeability Recording & Playback Times/Application
    DVCPRO TapeDVCPRODVCPRO50DVCPROHDDVCPROHD-EXLength
    Model No.Recording & Playback Times/Application(meters)
    AJ-P12M12 min.6 min.3 min.**6 min.*27 m
    AJ-P24M24 min.12 min.6 min.**12 min.*51 m
    AJ-P33M33 min.16.5 min.8 min.**16.5 min.*70 m
    AJ-P46M46 min.23 min.11.5 min.**23 min.*96 m
    AJ-P66M66 min.33 min.16.5 min.**33 min.*137 m
    AJ-P34L34 min.17 min.8.5 min.**17 min.*72 m
    AJ-P66L66 min.33 min.16.5 min.**17 min.*137 m
    AJ-P94L94 min.47 min.23.5 min.**47 min.*194 m
    AJ-P126L126 min.63 min.31.5 min.**63 min.*259 m
    AJ-HP64EL128 min.64 min.32 min.**64 min.*263 m
    AJ-HP126EX(a)252 min.126 min.63 min.**126 min.*513 m
    AJ-CL12M (Medium Cleaning Tape)(12 min.)(27 m)
    AJ-CL12L (Large Cleaning Tape)(12 min.)(27 m)
    All DVCPRO tape models will record & playback in 4:1:1 DVCPRO (25Mbps), 4:2:2 DVCPRO50 (50Mbps), and DVCPROHD(100Mbps) applications; actual recording & playback time is application dependent.

    Please note: 50Mbps (DVCPRO50) recordings consume twice as much tape as 25Mbps DVCPRO, and 100Mbps (DVCPROHD) recordings use four times as much tape.

    (a)AJ-HP126EX Extra Large Cassette may only be used in the AJ-SD965 DVCPRO/25Mbps Switchable & AJ-HD1700 HD VTRs.
    VariCam AJ-HDC27H & AJ-HD1200A/HD1400 VTRs use Large Cassettes; AJ-HDX400/HDX900 Camcorders use Medium Cassettes.

    **Recording Time at Standard 18-Micron Recording/*Recording Time at 9-Micron DVCPROHD-LP Recording.

    DVCPROHD-EX employs 9-Micron Record Heads (1/2 the recording track width) providing 2x the record time of standard 18-Micron Heads are found in the DVCPROHD-LP AJ-HD1200A, HD1400 & AJ-HD1700 VTRs and AJ-HDX400 & HDX900 Camcorders.

    Blue Lid & Red Lid DVCPRO Cassettes contain the same metal particle tape formulation as Yellow Lid cassettes; All Yellow Lid, Blue Lid & Red Lid Cassettes are standard thickness DVCPRO tapes, with 6.5µm base film, and a total tape thickness of 8.5µm.

    The lid color is to help users of the different recording applications identify & separate them for for editing and archival storage.

    DVCPRO Tapes Format Recording Rate
     Recording & Playback Times/Application
     DVCPRODVCPRO50DVCPROHDDVCPROHD-EX
    Data Rate25 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps100 Mbps
    Speedx2x4x4x
    Record Head Gap18 Micron18 Micron18 Micron9 Micron


    • Sony says: Why authorized media matters? It's your reputation.

    Note: This video explains the importance of using Sony media bought through authorized sources for your video projects, when to question the reliability of product in tampered cartons and how to locate an authorized Sony pro media dealer.



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