Sony EV-C500E Operating Instructions Manual page 34

Technical Information
The 8 mm video system employs a metal powder tape. This
means the video recorder is capable of recording a large
amount of information (enhances picture quality). The Hi8
video system was developed utilizing the advantages of
the 8 mm video system. (See the diagrams below.) The
main characteristics of the Hi8 video system are as
follows:
Characteristics of Hi8 System
« Super high quality picture ;
The information capacity, a key element for picture
improvement, is increased by shifting up the FM carrier
frequency range. In the Hi8 video system, the FM
carrier frequency range of the luminance signal has
been shifted up to 5.7 — 7.7 MHz. This is higher than
the 4.2 — 5.4 MHz range of the standard 8 mm video
system.
Consequently, the horizontal resolution is improved to .
400 lines.
Frequency allocation of the standard 8 mm video
system
¢ Use of high grade tape to match the Hi8 video
system
Metal tape for the Hi8 video system is ideal because it
has greater magnetism which permits high-density
recording. The Hi8 VCR uses such high-grade tapes for
the Hi8 video system, covering a wide frequency range,
to achieve a high-quality video signal for recording/
playback.
34 Additiona! Information
* S VIDEO (separate luminance/chroma signal) inpul/
output connectors
Conventionally, the video signal exchanged between
the TV set and video equipment or among several
video devices is called a composite video signal, in
which the luminance (Y) and chroma (C) signals are
mixed. In this system the composite video signal is
liable to produce interference, resulting in a reduction of
picture quality. To avoid this quality reduction, an S
VIDEO connector is used to transmit and receive the
video signal separated into the luminance-signal and
the chroma signal. With the separated video signal,
flicker and colour blur in the picture are minimized and
sharpness is enhanced to such an extent that hair and
fine stripes are clearly visible. The S VIDEO connector
also assures excellent editing quality with a minimum
loss of picture quality.
¢ Tape speed
The Hi8 video system uses the same tape speed as the
standard 8 mm video system. An E5-120 tape allows
four hours of playback in LP mode.
Recording and Playback in the Hi8
Video System
To take advantage of the EV-CS00E Hi8 video system,
you must use Hi8 video tapes for recording and playback.
You can use the EV-C500E to record and playback
standard 8 mm video tapes if Hi8 quality is not necessary.
(The Video 8 and standard 8 mm systems are often
referred to as "normal" mode.)
The EV-CS500E automatically detects the type of video
system (standard or Hi8) in which the tape wes recorded
and plays the tape back accordingly.
To make the most of the Hi8 video system, set the Hi8
setting with the Hi8 (AUTO/OFF) button to "AUTO." In this
way, EV-C500E records in the Hi8 video systern. (See
page 15.)
Compatibility with conventionel video
recorder decks
Tapes recorded using the Hi8 video system camnot be
played back on conventional 8 mm video equpment
(standard 8 mm video system).
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