We convert the next video tape formats to DVD:


Betacam / Betacam SP to DVD Transfer Service

Betacam / Betacam SP to DVD Transfer Service


Betacam is a family of half-inch professional videotape products developed by Sony from 1982 onwards. In casual use, "Betacam" singly is often used to refer to a Betacam camcorder, a Betacam tape, or a Betacam video recorder.

All Betacam variants from Betacam SP on use the same shape cassettes, meaning vaults and other storage facilities do not have to be changed when upgrading to a new format. The cassettes come in two sizes: S and L. Betacam cameras can only load S tapes, while VTRs can play both S and L tapes. The cassette shell and case for each Betacam cassette is colored differently depending on the format, allowing for easy visual identification. There is also a mechanical key that allows a video tape recorder to tell which format has been inserted.

The original Betacam format records on cassettes loaded with oxide-formulated tape, which are exactly the same as its consumer-market oriented predecessor Betamax, which was introduced 7 years earlier by Sony in 1975. A blank Betamax-branded tape can be used on a Betacam deck, and a Betacam-branded tape can be used in a Betamax deck.

The only difference between Betamax and Betacam is that the former records in composite format (much like VHS, U-matic, or 1" type C videotape), while the latter records in component format and at a much higher linear tape speed, resulting in much-higher video and audio quality over Betamax. A typical L-750 length Beta cassette will yield about 3 hours of recording time on a Betamax VCR at its BII speed, while it would only yield 30 minutes on a Betacam deck or camcorder.

In 1986 Betacam SP was developed, which increased horizontal resolution to 340 lines. While the quality improvement of the format itself was minor, the improvement to the VTRs was enormous, in quality, features, and particularly, the new larger cassette with 90 minutes of recording time. Beta SP (for "Superior Performance") became the industry standard for most TV stations and high-end production houses until the late 1990s. The recording time is the same as for Betacam, 30 and 90 minutes for S and L, respectively. Tape speed is slightly slower in machines working in the 625/50 format, increasing tape duration of 1 minute for every 5 minutes of run time. So, a 90 minute tape will record 108 minutes of video in PAL.

/From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia/

Our Betacam / Betacam SP to DVD transfer service:
betacam to dvd transferNTSC format, small tapes only
competitive prices for betacam to dvd transfer$29.95 for DVD