JVC Report

June 1, 2000

Extended Recording of VHS/S-VHS Video Decks in PAL

JVC Announces Standardization of VHS/S-VHS EP (Extended Play) Mode for PAL Broadcasts

--Record up to 12 hours with E- 240 Cassettes--

Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC), the inventor of the VHS format, has standardized the PAL EP (Extended Play) Mode that will enable extended VHS/S-VHS recording and playback, three times normal, in the PAL system. Using the new mode, an E-240 cassette will enable recording up to12 hours.

The standardization of the PAL EP (Extended Play) Mode will enable the development and marketing of PAL VHS/S-VHS video decks capable of recording and playback in all three recording modes, bringing substantial new benefits and functionality to the VHS market.

Below is a comparison of their recording times.

Recording Times for PAL VHS/S-VHS Video Modes

-	SP	LP	EP
Using E-180 cassette	3 hours	6 hours	9 hours
Using E-240 cassette	4 hours	8 hours	12 hours

Background

In the 24 years since the format was standardized in 1976, VHS has emerged as the de facto standard in home video decks. The SP mode has been used to archive special memorable broadcasts, etc., but many users have expressed the desire to record for as long as possible on a single cassette for increased economy and extended time-shift purposes.

JVC has studied technologies to extend recording time and has now established the new standard on the basis of recent technological advancements:

(1)	Higher penetration of video enhancement technologies that make use of digital circuitry, for example, digital noise reduction and TBC.
(2)	Improved head performance
(3)	Improved tape performance
(4)	Improved precision of rotating drum assembly.

VHS/S-VHS PAL EP (Extended Play) Mode: Technical Specifications

(1)

Application
PAL EP Mode applies to VHS models and S-VHS models (both S-VHS and VHS modes).

(2)

Recording system (signal processing)
The same as LP mode. However, in S-VHS mode the white clip level is changed as follows to secure overmodulation margin.

		S-VHS EP mode: 190 +20/-10 (%)
		Reference: S-VHS SP/LP mode: 210 +/- 10 (%)

(3)

Track configuration: See chart below

(4)

Others

		Both normal audio and Hi-Fi audio are applicable to the EP mode in the same manner as they are in the SP and LP modes.
		Reference: S-VHS SP/LP mode: 210 +/- 10 (%) Unlike PAL LP mode, "Horizontal sync alignment"* is maintained in the PAL EP mode track configuration. There is therefore no skew distortion or color fading during special effects playback (search) mode. *Horizontal sync alignment: Recorded horizontal sync positions align in the two adjacent tracks that constitute one frame.

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