M (videocassette format)

M (videocassette format)

M is the name of a professional videocassette format developed around 1982 by Matsushita and RCA. It was developed as a competitor to Sony's Betacam format. In the same way Betacam was designed to take advantage of cheap and readily available Betamax videocassettes, M used the same videocassette (and the same oxide-formulated tape loaded in the cassette) as VHS.

M-Format also used a similar "component video" format to that used by Betacam, (as opposed to VHS's "composite video" format), and recorded at a much faster linear tape speed, as Betacam did. A cassette that would yield 120 minutes on a VHS VCR at SP speed would only yield 20 minutes on a M VCR.

The format was called "M" due to the shape of the threading path of the tape around the helical video head drum, which resembles a letter M. (This is also how the U-matic format got its name, for its U-shaped tape path in the VCR.) VHS also uses the same M-shaped tape threading path as M; it was carried over to M from VHS.

M had a similar 4-head recording system to Betacam, but the chrominance signals were recorded as two FM subcarriers of the main chrominance track FM carrier.

M had little success in the professional/industrial video market. This might have been due to RCA's Broadcast Products division, which marketed the M format in the United States under the "Hawkeye" brand name, going out of business in 1984 (shortly after M was introduced). Weak marketing by Matsushita for M might have been a factor as well.

M was also marketed by Panasonic (a division of Matsushita) and Ampex under the Recam (REcording CAMera) name.

M was succeeded in 1986 by the MII format developed by Panasonic.

ee also

* MII (videocassette format)

External links

* [http://www.lionlamb.us/quad/format.html List of videotape formats past and present, with a mention of the M format]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • MII (videocassette format) — This article discusses the MII video tape format. For information on the game console by Panasonic please see Panasonic M2 MII is a professional videocassette format developed by Panasonic in 1986 as their answer and competitive product to Sony s …   Wikipedia

  • VX (videocassette format) — VX was a short lived and unsuccessful videocassette format developed by Quasar in 1974. It was marketed under the name The Great Time Machine by Quasar to exhibit its time shifting capabilities, since VX machines had a companion electro… …   Wikipedia

  • DCT (videocassette format) — DCT …   Wikipedia

  • Videocassette recorder — VCR redirects here. This article is about videocassette recorders in general. For other uses of VCR , including the Philips VCR ( N1500 ) video format, see VCR (disambiguation). The videocassette recorder (or VCR, more commonly known in the UK… …   Wikipedia

  • Akai VK (videocassette format) — VK is a portable Helical scan EIA video VTR. Akai 1/2 inch VTR had two video record heads on the scanner. The units had an optional RF modulator to play back to a TV set as well as a detachable Video monitor. Akai Electric LTD VTR plant was in… …   Wikipedia

  • videocassette recorder — an electronic apparatus capable of recording television programs or other signals onto videocassettes and playing them back through a television receiver. Also called VCR [1970 75] * * * ▪ electronics also spelled  video cassette recorder (VCR) … …   Universalium

  • videocassette — noun A cassette containing blank or recorded videotape; either in VHS or Betamax format See Also: videocassette recorder …   Wiktionary

  • format — TV Videotape and video equipment design differences physical and technical dictating compatibility and quality. In most basic sense, refers to standardized tape widths, videocassette sizes. [See Betamax, D1/D2, 8mm, three quarter inch, VHS] …   Audio and video glossary

  • Akai videotape format — 1/4 inch Akai is a portable Helical scan EIA and CCIR video VTR. Akai 1/4 inch VTR had two video record heads on the scanner. The units had an optional RF modulator to play back to a TV set as well as a detachable Video monitor. Akai Electric LTD …   Wikipedia

  • 8 mm video format — Infobox media name = 8mm Video Cassette caption = A Video8 cassette type = Magnetic tape encoding = Analog (Video8/Hi8) Digital, DV codec (Digital8) capacity = Video8/Hi8: 60 minutes (PAL SP) 90 minutes(PAL SP) 135 minutes (PAL SP) 180 minutes… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”