Sony DNW-A100 - Overview

Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 1 Overview 1-1
Chapter 1 Overview
1-1 Overview
Betacam SX format
The Betacam SX format was developed as a digital
version of the Betacam SP format, and is a digital VTR
format supporting nonlinear editing systems and server
systems. Compared with analog Betacam, the
Betacam SX format reduces the tape speed to
approximately one-half. The drum rotates at 75
revolutions per second, recording two frames of video
data and four channels of digital audio in ten diagonal
tracks. The longitudinal control and time code tracks
are the same as in the analog Betacam format.
Head configuration
In addition to digital recording and playback heads for
Betacam SX, the unit also has analog playback heads
for Betacam SP. There are sixteen digital playback
heads, allowing high-speed data transfer at four times
normal speed (DNW-A100/A100P only), and CONFI
playback (simultaneous playback) for checking
recording.
Digital signal processing
This unit processes digital signals conforming to 4:2:2
component digital D-1 format.
High image quality, high audio quality,
high reliability
Even with a low data rate, recording and playback with
high image quality and high audio quality is achieved.
The unit also has a powerful error-correcting system.
The DNW-A100/A100P/A50/A50P/A45/A45P (also
referred to simply as the unit in this manual) is a
hybrid recorder, integrating a hard disk and VTR with
editing functions, based on the Betacam SX format.
The following table outlines the differences in the
functions of the DNW-A100/A100P, DNW-A50/
A50P, and DNW-A45/A45P.
For detailed specifications, see “Specifications” in the
Appendix.
There are some functional and operational
differences between units with a version number of
2.00 or later and units with a version number before
2.00. When necessary, this manual will provide
separate explanations for version 2.00 or later units
and units before version 2.00.
Control panel differences
Units before version 2.00 have AUDIO INPUT/
MONITOR SELECT buttons on the upper control
panel. On version 2.00 or later units, these buttons
are the AUDIO INPUT/MIXING/MONITOR
SELECT buttons (see figure on page 2-3). Version
2.00 or later units also have a MIXING indicator to
the left of the buttons. This indicator is not found on
units before version 2.00.
The following are some of the features of the system.
Model Hard disk (dual
channel)
Built-in: 2 units (1
pair); SCSI connection
for external expansion
units
High-
speed
transfer
function
(FEED
button)
SDDI I/O
connectors
DNW-
A100/
A100P
Data capacity: 9 GB/disk
Continuous recording
time: about 88 minutes
(DNW-A100) or 92
minutes (DNW-A100P)
per disk pair
Yes Yes (but
input is an
option)
DNW-
A50/
A50P
No No
DNW-
A45/
A45P
Data capacity: 4 GB/disk
Continuous recording
time: about 41 minutes
(DNW-A45) or 43
minutes (DNW-A45P)
per disk pair
No No
Data capacity: 9 GB/disk
Continuous recording
time: about 88 minutes
(DNW-A50) or 92
minutes (DNW-A50P)
per disk pair
Tape transport direction
Auxiliary track
System data
Video
Head
direction
Video
Control (CTL) track
Time code track
System data
Audio channels
1 to 4
Audio channels
1 to 4