Analog VTR

Training Material NHK-CTI 2007
JICA Engineering Course
Aug.20.’07
Analog VTR
JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Broadcast Master Control & Engineering Division
Broadcast Engineering Department
Shiho Morooka
Analog VTR
1 History
2 Basic Mechanism
3 βcam
1. History
1-1 Development of VTR

1-2 Typical types of VTRs used in NHK
1-1 Development of VTR

（ Composite ） Hi
Hi--Vision VTR
Helical
2inch-4head 1inch D-2 D-3 D-5 HD D-5
(1956) (1976) (1987) (1990) (1993) (1996)
D-1
(1986)
βcamSX Mpeg-IMX
（ Component）
Component） (1995) (2000)
βcam βcamSP Digital βcam HDCAM HDCAM SR
(1981) (1986) (1993) (1998) (2003)
U matic
DVCAM
(1970)
Ⅱ
MⅡ (1996)
(1986) DVCPRO DVCPRO50 DVCPRO HD DVCPRO HD-LP
(1995) (1998) (2000) (2002)
Consumer--use
Consumer DVC
(1993)
β EDβ Digital VHS
(1975) (1987)
(1999)
VHS S-VHS W-VHS (1993)
(1976) (1987)
8mm Hi-8
(1982) (1988) Digital ＶＴＲ
1-2 Typical types of VTRs used in NHK
D3VTR βcamVTR
HDD5VTR HDcamVTR
2. Basic Mechanism
2 -1 Magnetic Recording
2 -2 Head & Tape
2 -3 Helical Scan
2-4 βcam VTR
2 -5 Rotating Drum’
Drum’s Head
2 -6 Trouble Tape
2 -7 Tracking
2-1 Magnetic Recording

Current and Magnetic Field
・ An electric current in a coil of wire produces a magnetic field.
・ Any change in the magnetic field around a coil of wire will cause a voltage to be
induced in the coil.
coil of wire
Magnetic field
Electric current
2-1 Magnetic Recording

signal current
Recording
The signal current through the core of the the core of
head generates a magnetic field. the head magnetic field
The magnetic field creates a remnant
magnetization on the tape. tape
Remnant magnetization
Reproducing signal current
After remnant magnetization on the

recorded-tape pass into the core of the the core of
head , the core of the head induce a the head magnetic field
voltage(a current) that is proportional
to the remnant magnetization’s
tape
strength.
Remnant magnetization
2-2 Head & Tape

VTR Head
Head Gap(Front
Gap)
Azimuth Angle
An Enlargement of Head Gap
Structure of a Typical Head Design
An Enlargement of a Head
2-2 Head & Tape

Magnetic Tape
Magnetic Powder Binder
Magnetic Layer
Under Layer
Analog VTR Tape Digital VTR Tape

for Broadcasting for Broadcasting Back Coating
Magnetic Powder on the tape surface
Structure of Magnetic Tape
2-3 Helical Scan

The Tape Speed Problem
The audio signal requires a bandwidth of about 20Hz to 20 KHz.

The video signal requires ……… ～4.2MHz.(wider than audio)
about 30Hz～
The method of recording the video signal is Erase Head Record Head
• Speeding up the tape.
• Reducing the gap width .
But even with the minimum narrow a gap, a
tape speed of 2500 ～3800cm/s was needed to
record full bandwidth video!
Audio Player Mechanism

The solution of the tape speed problem is……
Moving the head past the tape (Helical-Scan)
2-3 Helical Scan

The Helical-
Helical-Scan Principle
2-3 Helical Scan

The Helical-
Helical-Scan Principle
DRUM ROTATION AUDIO

R/P HEAD
DRUM PINCH ROLLER
T-REEL
ERASE
HEAD GUIDE CAPSTAN
S-REEL GUIDE
POST VIDEO POST CTL R/P HEAD
R/P HEAD
Physical Relationship between Heads and Tape

2-4 βcam VTR

βcam VTR
Audio Head Drum
Supply Reel Take-Up Reel
Full Body Inside from Top

2-4 βcam VTR

βcam VTR
Audio/TC erase Head
CTL Head
Full Erase Head

Capstan
Audio Conf. Head
Around Drum Around Audio Head
2-4 βcam VTR

βcam VTR
Inside from Top Inside from Right-Side

2-5 Rotating Drum’

Drum’s Head
βcam VTR
(Play&Rec)
(Play&Rec)
(Play&Rec) (Play&Rec)
Disposition of Heads View (Upper)


Drum’s Head
Tape Recording Pattern
ＣＵＥ Track
２
Audio Track２
１
Audio Track１
ＶＴＲ
AnalogＶＴＲ
←Direction Of Tape Travel

ＣＴＬ Track
TimeCode Track
ＣＵＥ Track
ＶＴＲ
DigitalＶＴＲ
←Direction Of Tape Travel

ＣＴＬTrack
ＣＴＬ
TimeCode Track

Drum’s Head
Azimuth Recording
Head Motion
Guard Band Recording
Guard Band
↑Head Gap
：Azimuth Angle
θ：
Azimuth Recording
Some Cross-Talks from a adjacent track are reduced by Azimuth effect.

2-6 Troubled Tape
Lost tracks
2-6 Troubled Tape
Damaged tracks
2-7 Tracking
Tracking & RF-
RF-Signal
Big（
Big （Normal)
ＲＦレベル大
ヘッド
Head On Track
オントラック
ＲＦ Level
Shifted Track
トラッキングずれ
ＲＦレベル低下
Reduced
Off Track
オフトラック
ＲＦ Level
Small
ＲＦレベル小
ＲＦ-Signal
ＲＦ
Relationship between Tracking and RF-Signal
2-7 Tracking
Auto-
Auto -Tracking
The video playback head is mounted on a bimorph, which is made up of two thin
flexible strips of a piezo-ceramic material bonded together.
The strips bend when a voltage is applied across them, and they are mounted so that
this causes the head to move at right angles to the recorded track.
Auto-Tracking by Play Head

3. βcam
3-1 Outline
3-2 Typical Type
3-3 βcam SP
3-4 Function of the Cassette Plug and Tab
3-5 Tape Path
Drum’s Head
3-7 Audio Head
3-8 Tape Pattern
3-9 Component Recording System
3-10 CTDM System
3. βcam
3-11 Dynamic Tracking

3-12 Maintenance
3-13 Digital Hours Meter
3-14 Adjustment
3-15 Error Messages
3-1 Outline
Betacam VTR
１/２inch tape in cassette

Analog components recording
ＣＴＤＭ system
Guard band-Azimuth recording
(Auto Tracking Play Head)
ＳＯＮＹＢＶＷ‐
ＢＶＷ‐７５
3-1 Outline(Notes1)
In 1970's, ENG began to become the main stream in the news covering , but 3/4 inch Umatic-
VTR was lack of mobility because of not being separated the video-engineer from the
cameraman .
Then we looked forward to the appearance of the combined camera with VTR.
In 1981 , Sony announced Beta Cam format installed VTR with camera which was based on
consumer Beta-VTR with a small body and a good quality of the video picture .
A recording-speed to the tape is the same as being used fundamentally with the consumer-VTR,
and for obtaining a high quality of the video more than Umatic-VTR, it is separated a color
signal(C) from the luminance signal(Y) , and is adopted the format of the separate track with
two Heads .
When a NTSC composite signal is changed into the base band of the color differential
signal R-Y and B-Y , Each signal becomes 1.5MHz and 0.5MHz.
Beta Cam format increase that both frequency to 1.5MHz for emphasizing color character.
And after the compression ,each color-differencial-signal is considered that includes 3MHz
because those signals of 1.5MHz are compressed in the time-axis in two times.
In 1987 ,Beta Cam SP (Superior Performance) appeared that performance was enhanced and
developed for the studio-use as well.
(Beta Cam was developed for ENG-use at first.)
3-1 Outline(Notes2)
Recording and Play Back(Reproduce) time was expanded into about 90 minutes, and the
improvement of the quality of video and sound was achieved by utilizing of the metal video tape
with a compatibility of the conventional Beta Cam.
The Large-size cassette-tape was developed with thickness 25mm ,Length 254mm and width
145mm for recording more than 90 minutes.
There is size of 2.5 times in comparison with the standard cassette .
The track pattern of the Beta Cam SP is the same as conventional Beta Cam .
Emphasized FM career by 1.3MHz with a metal-tape , and the frequency of the Luminance signal
became 4.5MHz (-3dB) and SN ratio became more than 51dB.
A CN ratio improves about 6dB with the metal video tape toward the usual oxidized-iron tape.
And the deterioration of the video-quality by dubbing is decreased by this improvement of the
signal characteristic as well.
The video-quality of the 3rd generation of SP is equivalent to 1st generation of the usual format.
FM-audio was introduced with SP.
Dynamic-Range is beyond 85dB.
Dolby-C is used for the the fixed audio Head as before.
FM audio-signal is recorded in the Low frequency of FM-modulated Chrominance-signal with
frequency-multiplexed.
3-2 Typical Type
SP
DT
PlayBack
ONLY BVW-10 BVW-60 BVW-65
Recording
PlayBack BVW-40 BVW-70 BVW-75
3-3 BetaCam SP- Superior Performance (Notes1)

1. High quality pictures using metal particle tape
Thanks to the usage of metal particle tape and the newly developed video head, “Beta Cam SP”
offers a much higher video quality, compared to the original “Beta Cam” format, by improving
signal-to-noise(S/N) ratio, frequency response, linear waveform distortion and fine reproduction
characteristic.
Owing to this improvement, the video quality is highly enhanced and is maintained even after
multiple dubbings.
The high durability of the metal particle tape meets professional standards, especially for the
broadcasting of commercials.
2. 4 Audio channels
In addition to the two conventional channels of longitudinal (LNG) audio, two channels of
frequency modulated audio (AFM) are recorded on the chrominance track (only when metal
particle tape is used).
The wide dynamic range of the AFM audio enable the unit to handle any unexpected surge of the
recording signal level.
The metal particle tape also gives the LNG audio excellent frequency response and low distortion.
3. Longer recording and playing time
The “Beta Cam SP” format allows a maximum of 100 minutes for recording and playback by
utilizing a large cassette.
In addition, the small(conventional) size cassette tape(maximum 35-minute) can be used.
3-3 BetaCam SP- Superior Performance (Notes2)

4. Compatibility with conventional “Beta Cam” VTRs
The BVW-70(P) automatically distinguishes the type and size of cassette tape, and performs
the recording and playback with the appropriate format.
Oxide cassette tapes recorded on a conventional VTR can be played back on the BVW-70(P).
Metal cassette tapes recorded on the BVW-70(P) can be played back on conventional
“BetaCam” format VTRs which has been modified a little.
Characteristics of Video Characteristics of Audio

3-4 Function of the Cassette Plug and Tab

Oxide/Metal tape
OPEN ： Metal tape
CLOSE：Oxide tape
S cassette MISS REC

(for Oxide tape) S cassette MISS REC
(for Metal tape)
Reel hub diameter

OPEN ： large
CLOSE：small
Back of a video cassette
Video tape thickness

OPEN ： thick(20μm)
CLOSE：thin(15μm)
3-5 Tape Path
Audio Head
Audio Head Drum

Drum

Inside from Top


Drum’s Head
(Play&Rec)
(Play&Rec)
DT Head C
Y CH1
(Play)
(Play) Y DT Head
CH2
C
(Play&Rec)
(Play&Rec)
Heads View (Upper) Heads View (Side)


Drum’s Head (Notes)
Head Cylinder rotates 30rps.
Two Luminance signal Heads and two color signal Heads are stuck to each of the
upper cylinder for ch1 and ch2 symmetrically, And two more Erasing Heads are stuck.
And also from Type of BVW-60, confidential Heads developed for checking the
condition during recording ,then Type of BVW-65 and BVW-75 utilize AutoTracking
Head as confidential Heads.
The luminance and color signal are completely separated and are recorded as two
component signals on each recording track .
The video-quality was remarkably improved without mutual interference of the
luminance and the color ,because of excluding color-subcareer signal.
Though a Luminance signal and a color signal are recorded separately , R-Y and
B-Y signals time-compressed by 1/2 are recorded in 1 scan-line alternately.
The two audio signals are recorded on the top edge of the tape ,and a control
(CTL) signal and a Time Code are recorded on the bottom edge, and they are used for
editing .
The track width of the Luminance signal and the Chrominance signal are both
73µm, and the track width between Y and C signal is 80.5µm .
A tape speed is 118.6mm /s of about 6 times of consumer-Bata.
3-7 Audio Head
Audio/TC Head
Audio Full Erase(BVW-75)
Audio/TC Rec Haed
Audio Conf Head Capstan

Drum
Audio Confidence Head
Blade
CTL Head
Full Erase Head

3-8 Tape Pattern

3-9 Component Recording System

Component Recording System
Tape
Video in
(composite)
Decoder Frequency Y Y
Modulator Rec Amp
CTDM C C
Component in
R-Y
B-Y
Y
DUB in
Y
C
Video out
(composite)
(component) TBC Frequency RF Head
Y Demodulator Equalizer Amp
R-Y
B-Y
CTDM ： Compressed Time Division Multiplex TBC ： Time Base Corrector

3-9 Component Recording System(Notes)

As the characteristics of Beta Cam’s recording system, it is to record three signals of
Luminance signal, R-Y and the B-Y signal separately.
After adding synchronous signal , Luminance signal is frequency-modulated after
Emphasis and then it is recorded.
Also only one Luminance signal uses one track.
On the other hand , for recording two signals of R-Y and B-Y in one track,two
signals are compressed with the time-axis in each of 1/2.
Then, it is multiplexed in a 1H (line) period, and recorded in one track.
This multiplex method is being called CTDM(Compressed Time Division Multiplexed
Chrominance Signals).
There are two audio channels and one control track, one Time Code track .
Moreover, FM audio is multiplexed on the Chrominance signal for the hi-fi audio ,and it
is recorded in the Chrominance signal track in Beta Cam SP(not usual Beta Cam).
It's a way to reproduce Luminance signal ,demodulation and de-emphasis.

Since R-Y and B-Y signals were compressed by 1/2 in the recording , then those signals
are needed to be expanded two times one more by CCD-Memory for getting two the
original separate signals (R-Y and B-Y signals).
3-10 CTDM System

CTDM : Compressed
Time
Division
Multiplex
Two CCD analog line memories are used for

each color differential signals, they write
data in a line , and that data are read in a next
Process of CTDM (For line at a half time of writing.
Recording) There are here respectively two sets, and
they are written and read in every line
alternately.
R-Y and B-Y signals are compressed and are
expanded again on the time-axis.
Therefore R-Y and B-Y signals are late
against Y signal for 2 lines , and those
signals need time-adjust during Play Back .
Process of CTDM Decoded (For reproduction)

3-10 CTDM Signal

CTDM : Compressed Time
Division Multiplex
Luminance
Two color difference signal R-Y and B-Y are
Signal
compressed with time-axis by 1/2 , and those are
collected in 1 scan line.
A synchronous signal called a Beta-Cam-sync is
added to the Luminance signal and color signal.
The Beta-Cam-sync is bigger than the usual sync-
signal generally being used.
FM career is high-frequncy so that moire may not
occur again.
It becomes possible by this that it gets the sync-
CTDM signal information for high SN ratio at the time of
Signal the Play Back and then relations between the
Luminance signal and the chrominance signal can
be maintained in the high precision.
3-11 Dynamic Tracking

Moving of Head with tape track
Gap Head Azimuth recording
Check H-SYNC Timing !
Y Y
C C
mistracking !
Y Y
C C
time lag
Y Y
C C
time lag
mistracking !
3-12 Maintenance
・General maintenance once four months
・A regular manufacturer Overhaul usually once a year
General maintenance
１．The confirmation of the Head use time.
２．Cleaning of the video/audio Head and the tape path.
３．Play Back check (with reference tape.））
・The confirmation of a degree of chrominance astringency with the color bar.
・The confirmation of the frequency characteristics with the multi-Burst.
・The confirmation of the tracking.
・The confirmation of the audio level and, the quality of sound with 1kHz.
４．Recording and Play Back check.
・Select the color bar and 1kHz of the test signal for the input signal,
and adjust the input level with that test signal.
・Record that signal and reproduce that signal.
Then, confirm whether there is a wrong point in the video and audio.
・Record the signal with 1kHz and 0VU, and reproduce that signal.
Confirm it with the audio level, S/N, the wow flatter, and so on.
５．The confirmation of the basic movement of VTR.
The confirmation of the movement and control such as Play Back, Recording,
Forward and Rewind.
3-13 Digital Hours Meter

Time indicated ： We have to increase the number by ten.
T1 T2 T3 CT
T1： OPERATION
T1：
Total time for turning on electricity
T2： DRUM RUNNING
T2：
Total time for a drum rotating with tape threading
T3： TAPE RUNNING
T3：
Total time for a drum rotating besides tape touching a drum
in FF, REW, PLAY, SEARCH, REC or EDIT modes.
CT：THREADING
CT：
Total number of times of tape threading and unthreading
3-14 Adjustment
Color Bar Check levels of luminance signal and chrominance signal.
3-14 :Adjustment
Bowtie Signal Check synchronization of luminance signal and chrominance signal.
Timing is matched.
Luminance signal is delayed

for chrominance signal.
Chrominance signal is delayed

for luminance signal.
3-15 Error Messages

Errors
Error-1：REEL TROUBLE-
Error- TROUBLE-1
When tape slacking is detected during unthreading or tape breaking is detected
during threading, tape protection operation is done and this message is displayed.
Error-2：REEL TROUBLE-
Error- TROUBLE-2
When tape breaking is detected in REC, SEARCH, FF and REW modes,
tape protection operation is done and this message is displayed.
Error-10：Humid
Error-10：
Displayed when humid condensation is detected.
Error-20：CASSETTE COMPARTMENT MOTOR LOCK
Error-20：
When cassette up/down operation is not completed, tape protection is done and
this message is displayed.

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Training Material NHK-CTI 2007

JICA Engineering Course

JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

1-1 Development of VTR

1-1 Development of VTR

1-2 Typical types of VTRs used in NHK

2-1 Magnetic Recording

2-1 Magnetic Recording

Reproducing signal current

After remnant magnetization on the

2-2 Head & Tape

An Enlargement of Head Gap

Structure of a Typical Head Design

2-2 Head & Tape

Magnetic Powder Binder

Analog VTR Tape Digital VTR Tape

2-3 Helical Scan

The audio signal requires a bandwidth of about 20Hz to 20 KHz.

Audio Player Mechanism

2-3 Helical Scan

2-3 Helical Scan

DRUM ROTATION AUDIO

Physical Relationship between Heads and Tape

2-4 βcam VTR

Audio Head Drum

Supply Reel Take-Up Reel

Full Body Inside from Top

2-4 βcam VTR

Audio/TC erase Head

Full Erase Head

2-4 βcam VTR

Inside from Top Inside from Right-Side

2-5 Rotating Drum’

Disposition of Heads View (Upper)

2-5 Rotating Drum’

←Direction Of Tape Travel

←Direction Of Tape Travel

2-5 Rotating Drum’

Some Cross-Talks from a adjacent track are reduced by Azimuth effect.

2-6 Troubled Tape

2-6 Troubled Tape

Auto-Tracking by Play Head

3-11 Dynamic Tracking

１/２inch tape in cassette

3-2 Typical Type

3-3 BetaCam SP- Superior Performance (Notes1)

3-3 BetaCam SP- Superior Performance (Notes2)

Characteristics of Video Characteristics of Audio

3-4 Function of the Cassette Plug and Tab

S cassette MISS REC

Reel hub diameter

Video tape thickness

3-5 Tape Path

Audio Head Drum

Supply Reel Take-Up Reel

Inside from Top

3-6 Rotating Drum’

Heads View (Upper) Heads View (Side)

3-6 Rotating Drum’

3-7 Audio Head

Audio/TC Rec Haed

Audio Conf Head Capstan

Full Erase Head

3-8 Tape Pattern