Achievements in rotary head magnetic recording

The principal achievements since 1980 in rotary head recording on magnetic tape are outlined. These developments are related to fundamental improvements in recording media, heads, the design of tape transports, and signal processing. The D-1 and D-2 video tape recorders (VTRs), the Hi-Band 8-mm video cassette recorder (VCR), and the rotary digital audio tape (R-DAT) recorders are discussed. The future of rotary head recorders for consumer digital VCRs, professional high-definition TV (HDTV) VTRs, and consumer HDTV VCRs is assessed.<
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