Sony PDV64N User Manual

DVCAM™ from Sony

Choose DVCAM
for Quality and Durability

Sometimes you get
one chance to catch
the action so it makes
sense to use the best
possible media.

For many of today’s
top producers and
cameramen, that
media is DVCAM.

www.pro.sony.eu/promedia

Better Quality, Higher Reliability, Safer Storage

Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, DVCAM offers superior

quality than consumer DV media and is one of the world’s most

reliable and durable digital video formats.

DVCAM gives you the freedom to shoot in SD or HD and is designed

to protect the life of your equipment.

Manufactured for perfection

Sony DVCAM is manufactured at
the Sony Chemical Information
Device in Japan, one of the world’s
most advanced recording media
production facilities. With the very
latest equipment, a highly trained
workforce and ISO9001 certification,
Sony Chemical Information Device
is synonymous with supreme quality
and reliability.

Being a professional video format,
DVCAM is technically superior to
consumer DV media. Advanced
technology, latest components and
sophisticated production techniques
ensure DVCAM is the ideal choice for

Sony Chemical
Information Device

professional productions. Quality is
guaranteed with 100% final product
inspection.

Step up to higher video quality

Make no compromises with your
next shoot. Capture on DVCAM
and enjoy your production in the
highest quality video. Advanced
tape technology gives smoother,
more stable performance during
recording, playback and editing,
wherever in the world you are
working.

Higher Density

DVCAM Hyper Evaticle-IV
technology provides higher density
than consumer DV tapes with ultra
efficient magnetic evaporated
layers. This technology increases RF
output and CN ratio to give clear,
stable video performance.

Lower Dropouts

With 50% less dropouts than
consumer tape, DVCAM minimises
errors for improved quality. Rigid
quality control keeps noise low and
standards high.

Relative Frequency

Better Worse

Error Rate Comparison

Error Rate

World class performance for everyone

Choose DVCAM and you are supporting your video productions with the
best DV technology available. DVCAM sets the standard for performance,
featuring advanced metal evaporated tape technology and a DLC
(Diamond Like Carbon) protective layer for superior quality, reliability and
durability.

Less Errors

Safe and Secure

Protected by a tough hard
case for professional shooting in
extreme conditions

With 50% less dropouts than
consumer DV, errors are minimised
and quality improved

Saving Cost

Minimize head wear and maximize
the life of your equipment

Total Compatibility

Designed to get the best from
your DVCAM equipment with
optimized tracking and playback

Fully Tested

Unlike DV media, 100% of DVCAM
tapes are checked during the
winding, assembling and packing
process

Ideal for HD

Gives you the freedom to shoot
in high definition with full HDV
compatibility

Comparison table*

Edit Simulation*

Still (+5%) (min) >60 >240

Dropouts (Average) (counts/min) 100 50 Security of content

*1 Based on Sony’s internal measurements
*2 Tape run repeatedly by edit mode for two minutes length untill a picture noise occur.

2

(pass) >50 >150 Security / Durability

Cons.DV tape DVCAM tape DVCAM Benefits

1

Durability/ Quality of pause

mode picture

Our technical expertise

Minimal head wear to protect
your hardware investment

It’s a fact! Using DVCAM media in
DVCAM drives protects the life of your
equipment. By dramatically reducing
head wear, DVCAM is a sound
financial investment for the future.

By developing DVCAM hardware
and media in partnership, Sony
has increased the guaranteed
operational life of the VTR head
drum to an exceptional level. Using
DV Media in professional DVCAM
equipment is possible but not
recommended as head wear is
almost three times higher, shortening
its life by almost one third.

Head
Wear

Limit

Depth

Cons DV

DVCAM

Running Time (hours)

Tough, rugged and durable

Why take risks with your archives?
DVCAM includes a Diamond-Like­Carbon (DLC) layer for maximum
durability, making it ideal for secure
long-term storage. With an estimated
archival life of 30 years, subject to
proper handling and maintenance,
you can store your precious recordings
on DVCAM with total confidence.

Excellent Durability with DLC

Still mode

AME Tape

AME Tape
without DLC

Head trace times (1x106)

Still times (hours)

DVCAM media receives a ‘top coat’ layer
including lubricants and anti-corrosive
agents. Back coating with a carbon type
material is also applied to improve durability
and runnability.

with DLC

Designed to Protect

The superior DLC coating is enhanced
with a special Carbon Depositing
process that deposits carbon ions
onto the evaporated layer. Combines
a ‘top coat’ layer including lubricants
and anti-corrosive agents with a
back coating for smooth, durable
performance.

Lubricant layer

DLC Protective layer

Magnetic layer

Base film

Back Coat

Pause mode durability

240

180

120

60

Pause Mode life time (min.)

0

Sony Cons. DV

Cons. HDV

Time was measured till some damage occur.
VTR: Sony Pause Mode Test standard VTR

DVCAM Digital Master

5°C

20°C 10%

22°C 50%

40°C 80%

Unbeatable range of
products

Choose from a wide range of
DVCAM media, designed to
perfectly match your DVCAM
equipment. With recording times
from 12 to 184 minutes, there’s tape
solutions for every possible project
from simple shoots to long-running
documentaries.

PDV-N Series (without IC Memory)

Model Recording time

PDVM-12N 12 18 24

PDVM-22N 22 33 41

PDVM-32N 32 48 58

PDVM-41N 41 63 71

PDV-34N 34 51 61

PDV-64N 64 96 112

PDV-94N 94 141 163

PDV-124N 124 186 214

PDV-184N 184 276 315

(min)

DVCAM mode

Recording time

(min)

DV/HDV mode

Tape

length

(m)

For professional video productions
that last for decades, the only serious
media is DVCAM. It’s technically
superior to consumer DV tape, giving
smoother and sharper quality. Shoot
in SD or HD with Full HDV compatibility
and archive for long periods with
exceptional reliability and durability.
Your creativity deserves the best.

Sony Europe Limited
www.pro.sony.eu/promedia

Copyright 2011 Sony Europe Limited. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered

trademarks of the respective companies. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Features and specifications are given as an indication and are subject to change without notice. Sony is a
trademark of Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Sony Europe Limited, registered company number: 2422874