EN 61105:1993
(Main)Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems
Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems
Describes the general data for reference tapes applicable to various video tape recorder (VTR) formats already covered by existing IEC standards.
Referenzleerbänder für Videoaufzeichnungssysteme
Bandes de référence pour les systèmes de magnétoscope
Décrit les caractéristiques générales des bandes de référence destinées à l'utilisation avec des formats différents de magnétoscopes déjà normalisés par la CEI.
Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems (IEC 61105:1991)
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 10-Oct-1993
- Withdrawal Date
- 31-Aug-1994
- Technical Committee
- CLC/TC 100X - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment and related sub-systems
- Drafting Committee
- IEC/TC 100 - IEC_TC_100
- Parallel Committee
- IEC/TC 100 - IEC_TC_100
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
- Start Date
- 11-Oct-1993
- Completion Date
- 11-Oct-1993
Relations
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
Overview
EN 61105:1993 (IEC 61105:1991) defines the general requirements for reference tapes for video tape recorder (VTR) systems. It standardizes how unrecorded magnetic reference tapes are selected, maintained and used so that technical product data and recorder performance can be compared across manufacturers and VTR formats (e.g., Type B, Type C, Beta, VHS, 8 mm, D‑1). The standard supports compatibility and repeatable measurements for magnetic recording systems used in broadcast and consumer/pro‑audio contexts.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Establishes a common 0 dB reference tape for multiple VTR formats to enable objective comparison and compatibility.
- Applies to existing IEC VTR formats; future formats are handled in their respective IEC system standards.
- Source and maintenance
- Reference tapes shall be issued by agreed organizations, certified by the issuing IEC National Committee and reviewed periodically to remain compatible with current tapes and recorders.
- Annex B lists suppliers (for example BASF, AMPEX, SONY, JVC) and model IDs referenced in Annex A.
- Electromagnetic parameters (used as 0 dB reference)
- Video: optimum recording current.
- Audio: optimum bias, low‑frequency sensitivity, high‑frequency sensitivity.
- These parameters form the basis for comparisons and measurements as per IEC 698 and IEC 735.
- Alignment and calibration
- VTR alignment must ensure compatibility with the relevant IEC reference tape so mass‑produced recorders and tapes interoperate.
- Tolerance and documentation
- Tolerances for reference tapes should be specified and controlled by the manufacturer; detailed reference tape data are provided in Annex A.
Applications and Who Uses It
- Test laboratories and calibration facilities: for calibrating VTRs and validating recorder performance.
- Manufacturers of VTRs and magnetic tape media: to ensure product specifications, alignment and compatibility.
- Broadcasters and post‑production houses: for equipment acceptance testing and quality control.
- Standards committees and national certification bodies: for issuing and maintaining certified reference media.
- Repair and service centers: to align and verify recorder performance against standardized reference tapes.
Related Standards
EN 61105 references and complements several IEC standards used in testing VTRs and tape properties, including:
- IEC 698 - Measuring methods for television tape machines
- IEC 735 - Measuring methods for video tape properties
- IEC 558, IEC 602 - Type C and Type B helical video tape recorders
- IEC 767, 774, 843, 1016 - Specific format standards (Beta, VHS, 8 mm, D‑1)
Keywords: reference tapes, video tape recorder (VTR), IEC reference tape, VTR alignment, electromagnetic parameters, calibration, VHS, Beta, D‑1, IEC standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 61105:1993 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems". This standard covers: Describes the general data for reference tapes applicable to various video tape recorder (VTR) formats already covered by existing IEC standards.
Describes the general data for reference tapes applicable to various video tape recorder (VTR) formats already covered by existing IEC standards.
EN 61105:1993 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to HD 574 S1:1990, EN 61016:2001, HD 573 S1:1990, HD 461 S1:1987, EN 60843-1:1994, EN 61237-1:1994, EN 60843-2:1995, EN 61237-3:1995, EN 61041-5:1997, EN 60774-1:1994, EN 60843-3:1993, EN 61237-4:1997, EN 60735:1991. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 61105:1993 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-1999
Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems (IEC 61105:1991)
Reference tapes for video tape recorder systems
Referenzleerbänder für Videoaufzeichnungssysteme
Bandes de référence pour les systèmes de magnétoscope
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61105:1993
ICS:
33.160.30 Avdio sistemi Audio systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STAN DARD
First edition
1991-12
Bandes de référence pour
les systèmes de magnétoscope
Reference tapes for video tape
recorder systems
© IEC 1991 Droits
de reproduction réservés — Copyright - all rights reserved
Aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni No pa
rt of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photo-
including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in
copie et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'éditeur. writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission
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Telefax: +41 22 919 0300 e-mail: inmail@iec.ch IEC web site http: //www.iec.ch
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Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
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Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
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For price, see current catalogue
1105©IEC - 3 -
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
REFERENCE TAPES FOR VIDEO RECORDER SYSTEMS
FOREWORD
1) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters, prepared by Technical Committees on
which all the National Committees having a special interest therein are represented, express, as nearly as
possible, an international consensus of opinion on the subjects dealt with.
2) They have the form of recommendations for international use and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
3) In order to promote international unification, the IEC expresses the wish that all National Committees
should adopt the text of the IEC recommendation for their national rules in so far as national conditions will
permit. Any divergence between the IEC recommendation and the corresponding national rules should, as
far as possible, be clearly indicated in the latter.
4)
The IEC has not laid down any procedure concerning marking as an indication of approval and has no responsibility
when an item of equipment is declared to comply with one of its recommendations.
This International Standard has been prepared by Sub-Committee 60B: Video recording,
of IEC Technical Committee No. 60: Recording.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
DIS Report on Voting
60B(CO)121 60B(CO)131
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the Voting
Report indicated in the above table.
Annex A forms an integral pa
rt of this International Standard.
Annex B is for information only.
1105 cOIEC - 5 -
REFERENCE TAPES FOR VIDEO TAPE RECORDER SYSTEMS
1 Scope
This International Standard describes the general requirements for reference tapes
applicable to various video tape recorder (VTR) formats.
The object of this standard is to enable users of magnetic recording systems to compare
technical product data from different manufacturers and to enable compatibility within the
VTR format.
Currently available VTRs, adjusted with the IEC reference tape appropriate to the corres-
ponding IEC VTR standard, should give satisfactory results with currently available tapes.
The information within this standard covers existing IEC formats. For future formats the
corresponding information will be included in the IEC standard which defines the individual
system.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this
International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 558: 1982,
Type C helical video tape recorders.
IEC 602: 1980, Type B helical video recorders.
IEC 698: 1981, Measuring methods for television tape machines.
IEC 735: 1991, Measuring methods for video tape properties.
IEC 767: 1983, Helical-scan video tape cassette system using 12,65 mm (0,5 in) magnetic
tape on type beta format.
IEC 774: 1983, Helical-scan video tape cassette system using 12,65 mm (0,5 in) magnetic
tape on type VHS.
IEC 843: 1987, Helical-scan video tape cassette system using 8 mm magnetic tape -
Video 8.
IEC 1016: 1989, Helical-scan digital component video cassette recording system using
19 mm magnetic tape (format D-1).
...




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