© 2003 Sony Corporation
Introduction 2 DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK
CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION Sony led the way in video camcorders. The first consumer cassette camcorder was developed by Sony. And in 1985, Sony's compact, lightweight 8mm Handycam® camcorders expanded the world of home video by making memories easy to shoot, play, and share anytime, anywhere. Sony also led the way in digital technology. Sony CD and MD recording raised the standard of excellence in music reproduction.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION 3 DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY 5 DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY 6 DVD VIDEO RECORDING APPLICATIONS 10 THE DVD HANDYCAM CONCEPT 12 DVD HANDYCAM RECORD MODES AND MEDIA 14 DVD HANDYCAM STILL-IMAGE RECORDING 15 DVD HANDYCAM EDITING 16 FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) 18 GLOSSARY 20 DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK
DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY The DVD format was introduced in 1996. Today, DVD is accepted worldwide, in use for a broad range of applications -- and its next major impact will be felt in the home video recording market. The development of DVD started 12 years ago. Inspired by the success of the CD (Digital Audio Compact Disc) format for music and data recording, manufacturers began working toward the goal of a new disc format that would hold two or more hours of high-quality video recording.
DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY Although a 12cm (4-3/4") DVD is the same size as a standard CD, its high-density format allows more than 7 times more data to be recorded on a single disc. The Basic Structure of a DVD DVD consists of a dual-layered disc 12cm (4-3/4") or 8cm (3-1/8") in diameter. Each layer has a thickness of 0.6mm (1/32").
DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DVD-ROM for Playback Only DVD-ROM discs are for commercial prerecorded movies, computer software programs, etc. Data is stored in the form of microscopic “pits” in the record layer of the disc. These pits are scanned by a laser and then “read” as minute reflections. These minute changes in reflection are converted to signals for further processing.
DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DVD-RW for Repeatable Recording DVD-RW discs allow repeated recording, erasing, and re-recording of data. Data is rewritable approximately 1,000 times. This capability makes DVD-RW widely used in applications that require data editing and future updating. The recording and playback process is basically similar to the process of DVD-R recording.
DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DVD Capacity DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RW discs 12cm (4-3/4") in size, which all share the same “one layer, one side” structure, have a storage capacity of 4.7 GB -approximately 7 times larger than the capacity of a CD disc the same size. DVD Handycam camcorders use smaller DVD-R or DVD-RW discs 8mm (3-1/8") in size. 12cm (4-3/4")-diameter disc 4.7GB These smaller discs, single-sided with one recordable layer per side, have storage capacity of 1.4 GB.
DVD VIDEO RECORDING APPLICATIONS DVD VIDEO RECORDING APPLICATIONS There are two video recording applications for DVD discs: DVD-Video, offering maximum compatibility, and DVD-VR (Video Recording), for simple in-camera editing. What is an Application Standard? An application standard, such as DVD-Video or DVD-VR, is not the same as a physical standard, such as DVD-ROM, DVD-R, or DVD-RW.
DVD VIDEO RECORDING APPLICATIONS Video Coding Format DVD Handycam camcorder movies recorded by the DVD-Video application standard use MPEG 2 coding to fit more data on a disc. Widely employed in communication and broadcasting, MPEG 2 offers excellent image quality and flexible data handling. Within the MPEG 2 standard, DVD-Video recordings adopt MP@ML (Main Profile at Main Level) -- a profile that provides advanced functions, at a level that maintains high-quality images.
THE DVD HANDYCAM CONCEPT THE DVD HANDYCAM CONCEPT Sony DVD Handycam camcorders bring unique and exciting advantages to the world of video recording. The Concept 2 1 Compatibility with DVD Players Fast Search & Access DVD-R and DVD-RW discs recorded by DVD Handycam camcorders in the DVD-Video application can be easily played back on most existing DVD players -- making DVD-Video discs compatible with most decks, computers and PlayStation 2 consoles worldwide.
THE DVD HANDYCAM CONCEPT Playback Compatibility The DVD Handycam camcorder recording system is based on international DVD standards, so DVD Handycam recordings can be played back on a vast universe of playback devices -- including most DVD players, personal computers with DVD drives, and PlayStation 2 video game consoles. DVD recorder DVD player * PlayStation 2 • Place your PlayStation 2 on its side when you play back 8cm (3-1/8") DVD-R. • “PlayStation 2” is the property of Sony Computer Entertainment.
DVD HANDYCAM RECORD MODES AND MEDIA DVD HANDYCAM RECORD MODES AND MEDIA In addition to DVD-Video and DVD-VR (Video Recording) applications, you can also select from three recording modes to determine the image quality and recording time your application demands. Three Record Modes Choose among three modes: HQ for the highest quality images, SP to balance image quality and recording time, or LP for the longest recording time.
DVD HANDYCAM STILL-IMAGE RECORDING DVD HANDYCAM STILL-IMAGE RECORDING DVD Handycam camcorders can also record still images on DVD -- allowing them to function as both movie camcorders and digital still-image cameras. JPEG Images Still images are recorded as digital files in JPEG form. At the time you finalize your DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, you can create a slide show for playback viewing on your TV using a DVD player or PlayStation 2 game console.
DVD HANDYCAM EDITING DVD HANDYCAM EDITING DVD Handycam camcorder recordings provide simple in-camera editing functions that help you organize your scenes and still images when you shoot in DVD-VR mode. Playlist Editing Playlists can be created on DVD-RW discs recorded by your DVD Handycam camcorder in DVD-VR mode. By creating a Playlist, you can rearrange your recorded scenes, cut and divide scenes, and create the playback order that tells your story in the most effective way.
DVD HANDYCAM EDITING Transferring Recordings to a PC There are two ways to use your PC to view and edit DVD Handycam camcorder movies and still images. After you finalize your DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, you can insert the disc directly into the DVD drive of a PC for editing and playback. If your disc is not finalized, you must use the supplied ImageMixer software whether you insert the disc into your PC's DVD drive or transmit data between a DVD Handycam camcorder and a PC via USB-2 connector.
FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) Questions about Recording Q How long will my DVD Handycam record? A Up to two hours on a double-sided DVD disc. Q What recording modes can I use? A You can use either LP (long play), SP (standard play), or HQ (high quality) recording mode. You can also switch modes during operation. memory recording capacity decrease? A Capacity may decrease a small amount, but there is very little reduction in recording time.
Q Can I edit my DVD recordings? A Yes, in two ways: 1 Simple in-camera editing can be performed in your DVD Handycam camcorder when you record in DVD-VR (Video Recording) mode. In-camera editing lets you cut scenes you don't want and change the order of scenes you've recorded. 2 More complex editing can be done in your PC using supplied Sony DVD ImageMixer software (vers. 1.5 for Sony).
GLOSSARY GLOSSARY ❏ Bit Rate The amount (measured in “bits”) of data that flows in a specified period of time. For video recording and playback, which requires a large amount of data, bit rate is expressed in Mbps (“megabits per second”). In general, a higher bit rate results in higher-quality picture and sound. Bit rate can also be constant or variable.
GLOSSARY ❏ Laser The DVD Handycam recording system uses a shortwavelength red semiconductor laser device to record data. This device passes current to a semiconductor and emits a strong beam of light. Gallium arsenic is used to generate the short-wavelength red laser beam that reads digital data on a DVD disc. ❏ Object Lens This lens performs two tasks: first, focusing the laser onto the disc surface; second, collecting the reflected laser light and concentrating it on the photodiode detector.
© 2003 Sony Corporation
