Nikon DSR-1500AP - Manual (Page 6)

6
Features
Chapter
1
Overview
Features
The DSR-1500A/1500AP is a
1
/
4
-inch digital
videocassette recorder using the DVCAM™ digital
recording format.
The unit is equipped with an i.LINK/DV* interface as
standard, so that it can be used as a low-cost, compact
feeder, player or viewer in a non-linear editing system**
without requiring any optional boards. When using the unit
as an editor, the optional boards available for the unit allow
you to select required input signal formats.
The unit is playback-compatible with tapes recorded in DV
format (excluding tapes recorded in LP mode) as well as
DVCPRO (25 Mbps) format. Playing back such tapes on
the unit does not require any adapter.
These and other features of the unit make it suitable for use
under diversified conditions. It can be used, for example,
for desk-top editing or for such applications as electronic
news gathering (ENG) and non-linear editing aboard
outside broadcast vans, at production houses or at
broadcasting stations.
* i.LINK and are trademarks and indicate that this product is in agreement
with IEEE1394-1995 specifications and their revisions.
** Non-linear editing: This is an editing method that uses video and audio
signals digitally encoded and recorded on a hard disk as digital data. When
compared with conventional (linear) editing methods, non-linear editing
offers vastly improved efficiency in editing operations, for example, by
eliminating tape transport time.
The following are the principal features of the unit.
DVCAM Format
DVCAM is a professional
1
/
4
-inch digital recording format
developed by Sony from the consumer DV component
digital format.
High picture quality and high stability
Video signals are separated into color difference signals
and luminance signals, which are encoded and compressed
to one-fifth size before being recorded to ensure stable and
superb picture quality.
Because the recording is digital, multi-generation dubbing
can be performed with virtually no deterioration of quality.
Wide track
The recording track width is 15 µm, 50% wider than the 10
µm of the DV format. This ensures adequate reliability for
professional use.
High-quality PCM digital audio
PCM recording makes for a wide dynamic range and a
high signal-to-noise ratio, thereby enhancing sound
quality.
There are two recording modes: 2-channel mode (48-kHz
sampling and 16-bit quantization), which offers sound
quality equivalent to the DAT (Digital Audio Tape)
format, or 4-channel mode (32-kHz sampling and 12-bit
quantization).
Superior playback compatibility with DV
and DVCPRO (25 Mbps) formats
Tapes recorded in DV format (excluding the tapes
recorded in LP mode) as well as DVCPRO (25 Mbps)
format can be played back on this unit without requiring a
cassette adapter. You can use the recordings on such tapes
as source material for editing, applying such functions as
the jog audio and digital slow-motion playback as
required. Using the material, editing can be carried out to
single-frame precision.
The unit can also be used for recording in DV format (in
SP mode only).