An Experiment on Half Inch Hi-Vision Digital VCR: Tape Format and Mechanism

An experimental half-inch-tape Hi-Vision digital VCR has been developed, with the ability to record for two hours using 11 μm thick tape, at a recording wavelength of 0.47 μm and 12.7 μm track width, with tape housed in a small-size cassette. This article explains the basic design concepts underlying the main specifications and tape format, then describes the construction and characteristics of the tape transport mechanism, designed to accommodate 11 μm thick tape, the construction of the 40 mm dia. small drum, the construction and characteristics of the high-performance FeTaN magnetic heads, and the software servo control mechanism.