IVC videotape format

IVC 2 inch Helical scan was a high end analog helical scan VTR format developed by International Video Corporation (IVC), and introduced in 1975. Previously, IVC had made a number of 1 inch Helical VTRs. IVC saw a chance to make a VTR that would have the quality of the then-standard 2 inch Quadruplex videotape format but with the advantages of helical scan. They then developed a VTR using this technology, the IVC Model 9000.

*IVC made the Model 9000 in five versions:
**IVC 9000 (NTSC and PAL unit, could record for 2 hours on one 10.5 inch reel)
**IVC 9000-4 (4 ips tape speed, Long Play, could record and play back 4 hours on one 10.5 inch reel
**IVC 9000-W (8 MHz record and playback for super bandwidth)
**IVC 9000-M (could record and playback video in the 655-line/48 field per second (24 fps) video standard)
**IVC 9000-W-M (An IVC 9000-M with options from the 9000-W added to it, enabling both 8 MHz wideband video recording and 655/48 capability)
*The Helical scanner used a tape wrap of 188.57 degrees around a drum of 3.170 inches in diameter, with two play/record heads. In the NTSC version of the format, it had 5 helical tracks (segments) per field and 6 in the PAL version, each with 57 lines per segment. The VTR was equipped with a color video monitor, a waveform monitor scope, and vectorscope.
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*All models had:
** Two audio channels
** One cue track
** One control track
** Time code track
** Capstan-driven tape speed of 8 inches per second (10.5 inch reels)
** Analog color timebase corrector (TBC)
** Dropout compensation (a system that replaced snowy video spots (dropouts) where the FM signal on the tape is missing momentarily, caused by a defect in the tape)
*Other Spec:
** Vacuum tape tension columns
** Vacuum grip capstan
** Weight of 1300 pounds (600 kg)
** Power feed of 230 V at 3000 watts
** One second lock up time, stop to play
** a 1500 hour head warranty (for the 9000-4 models, a 3000 hour warranty)
**Signal-to-noise ratio-S/N >48 dB
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The 9000 was one of the first video recorders utilized for electronic film production using analog high-resolution wideband video standards (such as the 655/48 standard mentioned previously), predating IT-based DI (digital intermediate) film production systems in use today.

The 9000-W-M was, for all intents and purposes, a custom pre-HDTV video system. The 655 line system was also used for 24 frame playback on TVs and monitors used on movie studio sets. Thus the TVs had no flicker when shot on film, due to the different (and thus compatible to motion picture film's) frame rate. The 9000-W-M was used for some "JAWS 3D's" composite special effects.
*The picture quality was excellent, but unfortunately, the IVC-9000 did not have many sales (only 65 units were sold by IVC). Shortly after it came out, both the 1" Type B and 1" Type C formats of VTR came out. Both used less costly tape, and made just about as good of a picture.

*Ampex in 1961 made a 2 inch helical scan VTR for a short time, the VR-8000. They also produced another 2" helical VTR, the VR-660, in 1963.
*Sony also made a 2 inch Helical scan VTR, but it was non-segmented and they sold even fewer of them (in the early 1970s).

ee also

*1 inch type B videotape
*1 inch type C videotape
*VTR
*Videotape
*Helical scan
*2 inch Quadruplex videotape

External links (and references)

* [http://www.lionlamb.us/quad/9000pix.jpgB&W Photo]
* [http://www.labguysworld.com/IVC_Memories.htm Lab Guys World IVC Memories]