EN 61904:2000
(Main)Video recording - Helical-scan digital component video cassette recording format using 12,65 mm magnetic tape and incorporating data compression (Format digital-L)
Video recording - Helical-scan digital component video cassette recording format using 12,65 mm magnetic tape and incorporating data compression (Format digital-L)
Applies to video cassette recording of digital componenet video signals and associated digital audio and related control signals on 12,65 mm magnetic tape. Specifies characteristics of the cassettes, the tape, the recording patterns, the processes of digital audio and video coding, data compression, error protection and channel coding, all required to ensure interchangeability.
Videoaufzeichnung - Videokassettenaufzeichnung mit Schrägspuraufzeichnung digitaler Komponenten-Signale auf Magnetband 12,65 mm, verbunden mit Datenkompression (Digital-L-Format)
Enregistrement vidéo - Format d'enregistrement numérique à composantes à cassette à balayage hélicoïdal utilisant la bande magnétique de 12,65 mm avec compression de données (Format numérique L)
S'applique à l'enregistrement sur cassette de signaux vidéo à composante numérique et de signaux audionumériques associés, ainsi que de signaux de commande associés utilisant la bande magnétique de 12,65 mm. Spécifie les caractéristiques des cassettes, la bande, les configurations d'enregistrement sur la bande, les processus de codages audio et vidéo numériques, le réduction du débit binaire, le codage de protection d'erreur et de voie, tous nécessaires pour assurer l'interchangeabilité.
Videosnemanje - Digitalni videokasetni snemalni format z zapisovanjem s poševnimi sledmi na magnetnem traku, širokem 12,65 mm, in s komprimiranjem podatkov (format Digital-L) (IEC 61904:2000)
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 05-Sep-2000
- 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
- 06-Sep-2000
- Completion Date
- 06-Sep-2000
Relations
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
Overview
EN 61904:2000 (Format Digital‑L) specifies a helical‑scan, digital component video cassette recording format that uses 12,65 mm magnetic tape and incorporates data compression. Adopted by CLC (identical to IEC 61904:2000), the standard defines the physical and logical characteristics required to record digital video, associated digital audio and control signals on a cassette medium to ensure interchangeability between compliant recorders and cassettes.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard addresses the essential elements needed for reliable, standardized video cassette recording:
- Cassette and tape characteristics: physical cassette form‑factor and properties of 12,65 mm magnetic tape that affect recording and playback.
- Recording patterns: helical‑scan layout and track geometry required for consistent head/tape interaction.
- Digital video and audio coding: formats and signal organization for storing component digital video and multiple audio channels.
- Data compression: compressed storage of video data to increase capacity while preserving required quality (standard specifies compression handling rather than endorsing a specific proprietary codec).
- Error protection and channel coding: mechanisms for detecting and correcting errors introduced by magnetic tape media to ensure robust playback.
- Control and timing signals: arrangements for ancillary control, synchronization and metadata to support editing and transport.
- Interchangeability requirements: conformance criteria so recordings made on one compliant device can be reliably read by another.
Applications
EN 61904 is practical for:
- Broadcast and production workflows that rely on tape‑based acquisition, playback and archiving of digital component video.
- Video archiving and media preservation where standardized tape formats help ensure long‑term accessibility.
- Manufacturer design of helical‑scan VTRs, heads, cassette housings and magnetic tape tailored to the Digital‑L format.
- System integrators building tape ingest/playout chains, quality‑control tools and migration equipment for legacy tape assets.
Who uses this standard
- Broadcast equipment manufacturers and tape vendors
- Post‑production facilities and broadcasters maintaining tape libraries
- Archivists and media conservators migrating content from tape to modern storage
- Test laboratories and compliance engineers validating interchangeability
Related standards
EN 61904 is published in alignment with IEC standardization practices (IEC 61904:2000). It sits in the broader set of standards for video systems (ICS 33.160.40) and is typically considered alongside other media‑ and signal‑format standards used in professional video and archival contexts.
Keywords: EN 61904, IEC 61904, Digital‑L format, helical‑scan, 12,65 mm magnetic tape, digital component video, data compression, video cassette recording, error protection, channel coding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 61904:2000 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Video recording - Helical-scan digital component video cassette recording format using 12,65 mm magnetic tape and incorporating data compression (Format digital-L)". This standard covers: Applies to video cassette recording of digital componenet video signals and associated digital audio and related control signals on 12,65 mm magnetic tape. Specifies characteristics of the cassettes, the tape, the recording patterns, the processes of digital audio and video coding, data compression, error protection and channel coding, all required to ensure interchangeability.
Applies to video cassette recording of digital componenet video signals and associated digital audio and related control signals on 12,65 mm magnetic tape. Specifies characteristics of the cassettes, the tape, the recording patterns, the processes of digital audio and video coding, data compression, error protection and channel coding, all required to ensure interchangeability.
EN 61904:2000 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.160.40 - Video systems. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 61904:2000 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 61237-1:1994, EN 60958:1990, HD 507 S1:1988, EN 61213:1994. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 61904:2000 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-januar-2005
Videosnemanje - Digitalni videokasetni snemalni format z zapisovanjem s
poševnimi sledmi na magnetnem traku, širokem 12,65 mm, in s komprimiranjem
podatkov (format Digital-L) (IEC 61904:2000)
Video recording - Helical-scan digital component video cassette recording format using
12,65 mm magnetic tape and incorporating data compression (Format digital-L)
Videoaufzeichnung - Videokassettenaufzeichnung mit Schrägspuraufzeichnung digitaler
Komponenten-Signale auf Magnetband 12,65 mm, verbunden mit Datenkompression
(Digital-L-Format)
Enregistrement vidéo - Format d'enregistrement numérique à composantes à cassette à
balayage hélicoïdal utilisant la bande magnétique de 12,65 mm avec compression de
données (Format numérique L)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61904:2000
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
...
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