What is DVC-SD ? (technical details)

[donpedro]

I know that DVC-SD stand for MiniDV comunication format (standard) that sends and receives data from and to MiniDV camcorder through FireWire (iLink , IEEE1394) connection.

But I can't find more info about DVC-SD standard. What it realy means ? Limitations of sound frequencies or speed or ... ?

[xenon2000]

http://www.pctechguide.com/24digvid_DV_format.htm talks about standard DV and newer DV standards.

http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/Dv This also talks about Standard DV, such as the 3.5MegaBytes data bandwidth over firewire (realtime 1x). Color depth, sound resolution, etc.

Have fun.

[Cornucopia]

DVC-SD = DV = miniDV

"DVC-SD" probably just means "Digital Video Cassette - Standard Definition"

DV is the standard. It means:
VIDEO--
720 x 480(NTSC)/576(PAL) at 29.97(NTSC)/25(PAL) fps. Using I-frame only DCT on 8bit 4:1:1(NTSC)/4:2:0(PAL)-sampled YUV material. Using ~5:1 compression for a total AV bitrate of 25Mbps (aka 3.6MB/s).

AUDIO--
LPCM samples, using Stereo (2Ch), 16bit resolution at 48000 samples/sec (optionally at 44100 or 32000 sampling, and possibly 4 ch. when using 32k and 12bits)
When used as expected, Stereo, 16bit, 48k, LPCM is slightly better than CD audio (0-20000Hz+, 96dB, etc).

It is usually recorded to a cassette, hence "DVC".
miniDV just means DV recorded on the "mini"-sized tape used by the great majority of consumer/prosumer gear. Alternately, there is a "standard"-sized tape used by Pro gear that allows much longer record times (~180 min), but obviously won't fit into consumer gear.

The "standard definition" part just means the picture size 720x480/576 resolution, just like all current SDTV material. I would assume if someone were to use the term "DVC-HD", they would likely be referring to HiDef material (1080i or 720p). This would probably coincide with the term HDV.

DV doesn't have to necessarily be tied to the IEEE1394 communication protocol, but for virtually everyone they go hand-in-hand (because of the packet structure, etc.). I might be possible to transfer digitally via SDI (Serial Digital Interface) video protocol.

There also are 2 bigger brother DV formats for pro use--DVCam (Sony's) and DVCPro (Panasonic's). DVCPro has even extended itself to alternative formats allowing richer color encoding (DVCPro 50 4:2:2) and HiDef (DVCPro 100).

Scott

[donpedro]

Thanks guys... Where did you dig up that very old post from Great info...

[xenon2000]

I have a habit of digging up old posts. I know that when I post, I don't like it when it gets no replies, so I try to fill the gaps.

Check out the links. Lots of great basic info on the DV format that launched in 1996.

[donpedro]

I did already... Thanks