SD Tape Formats

SD Digital Videotape Formats

Below is a list of currently popular or historically notable tape formats. Although these formats are ITU-R 601 compliant, and handle 525 (NTSC) and 625 (PAL) systems, below we list the main relevant details about frame sizes, resolution (chroma sampling and bit depth), compression and bit rates for 525 (NTSC) variations.

D1: The first digital tape format. Introduced in 1986 and developed by Sony. Adheres to the ITU-R 601 standard. The word "D1" is often used outside the context of this specific format to describe certain aspects of compliance with the 601 standard. In other words, D1 and 601 may be used interchangeably to refer to an aspect of the 601 spec, like pixel aspect ratio.

• 720x486 frame size
• Component
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 8-bit
• Uncompressed recording
• 173 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 4 audio channels

D2: Introduced by Ampex in 1988. Records to 3/4" tape. Composite digital format. Uncompressed. Quickly outdated by superior digital component formats.

• 720x486 frame size
• Composite
• 8-bit
• Uncompressed
• 94 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 4 audio channels

D5: Introduced by Panasonic in 1994. Records to 1/2" D5 videotapes. High end recording format for standard definition.

• 720x486 frame size
• Component
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 10-bit
• Uncompressed
• 250 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 4 audio channels

DV (25): Introduced in 1995. DV comes in a variety of flavors and is implemented by multiple manufacturers. DV includes MiniDV (multiple manufacturers), DVCAM (Sony), and DVCPRO (Panasonic). Often referred to as DV 25, referring to the 25 Mbit per second bit rate. Panasonic also has a 50 Mbit/s variation, and their HD version, at 100 Mbit/s.

• 720x480 frame size
• Component
• 4:1:1 chroma sampling
• 8-bit
• DCT compression at 5:1 (intraframe)
• 25 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 2 or 4 channels of audio

DVCPRO 50: Developed by Panasonic. Similar compression type to DV 25 but uses a bitrate of 50 Mbit/s. Higher quality than DV 25 with better chroma sub-sampling and less compression. Many people refer to this format as Panasonic's answer to Sony's Digital BETACAM, although the format does use higher compression and 8-bit recording as opposed to Digital BETACAM at 10-bit.

• 720x480 frame size
• Component
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 8-bit
• DCT compression at 3:1 (intraframe)
• 50 Mbit/sec
• 4 audio channels

Digital BETACAM: Since its introduction in the early 1990's, it has become one of the main mastering standards for standard definition, whether for tape or film acquisition. Update of the popular analog BETACAM and BETACAM SP formats.

• 720x486 frame size
• Component video
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 10-bit
• DCT compression at 2:1 (intrafield)
• 90 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 4 audio channels

BETACAM SX: Sony developed format. Uses MPEG-2 recording.

• 720x486 frame size
• Component video
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 8-bit
• MPEG-2 compression at 10:1
• 18 Mbit/sec (bit rate)
• 4 audio channels

MPEG IMX: Sony format developed in 2001. Uses MPEG-2 recording.

• 720x486 frame size
• Component
• 4:2:2 chroma sampling
• 8-bit
• MPEG-2 compression at 3:1
• 3 compression formats: 30, 40 or 50 Mbit/s
• IMX can also be recorded to XDCAM optical disc
• 4 or 8 audio channels