Compatibility Of Dvcam And Dv Formats - Sony DSR-400L Operating Instructions Manual

and may not record and or play back correctly. For
instructions on removing tape slack, see next page.
• Follow the instructions in "Inserting a Cassette" on
page 45 to insert a cassette, or the camcorder may be
damaged.
To prevent accidental erasure
Set the REC/SAVE switch to SAVE to prevent accidental
erasure of recorded contents.
If you insert a cassette into the camcorder when the REC/
SAVE switch is set to SAVE, the camcorder will not
record when you press the REC button.
To enable recording
Set the REC/SAVE switch back to REC.
To check the tape for slack
Turn the reel gently with a paper clip, etc., in the direction
shown by the arrow. If the reel does not move, there is no
slack. Insert the cassette into the cassette holder, and after
about 15 seconds take it out.
Paper clip, etc.

Compatibility of DVCAM and DV formats

This camcorder can also use the consumer DV format in
addition to the DVCAM format (only SP mode is available
for DV format, you cannot record/play in LP mode of the
DV format). Here explained are the differences,
compatibility, and limitations on editing about DVCAM
and DV formats.
48
Recording
REC/SAVE switch
Set to SAVE.
REC
SAVE
Reel
Differences between DVCAM and DV formats
Item DVCAM
15 µm
Track pitch
Audio sampling 12 bit: 32 kHz
frequency 16 bit: 48 kHz
Audio recording Lock mode
mode*
Time code Drop frame system
or
Non-drop frame
system (SMPTE
time code)
* There are two modes for audio recording, lock mode and unlock mode. In
lock mode, the sampling frequencies of audio and video are synchronized.
In unlock mode, which consumer DV format adopts, the two sampling
frequencies are independent. Therefore, lock mode is more effective than
unlock mode in digital processing and smooth transition during audio
editing.
Note
Audio with sampling frequency 16 bit: 32 kHz and 44.1
kHz cannot be recorded on this camcorder.
Compatibility on cassettes
The recording format of picture is defined according to
recorder's format as described below.
Recorder's Cassette that is
format used
DVCAM DVCAM tape
DV tape
DV DVCAM tape
DV tape
• Though DV cassettes can be used for recording in
DVCAM format, we recommend you to use DVCAM
cassettes to get the most out of high reliability of
DVCAM format.
• When you record using DV cassettes in DVCAM
format, the recording time of DV cassettes is
than that indicated on the DV cassettes.
Compatibility on playback
Some tapes cannot be played back on DVCAM or DV
video equipment.
Tape On DV video
equipment
DV-formatted Can be played
back.
DVCAM- Some equipment
formatted may be able to play
back.
DV
10 µm
12 bit: 32 kHz
16 bit: 32 kHz,
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
Unlock mode
Drop frame
system (or Non-
drop frame system
when recording in
DV format)
Recording
format
DVCAM
DV
/ shorter
2 3
On DVCAM video
equipment
Can be played
back only when
recorded in SP
mode.
Can be played
back.