SIST EN 60712:1999/A1:1999
(Amendment)Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format
Video-Bandkassettensystem mit Schrägspuraufzeichnung auf Magnetband 19 mm, bekannt m-als U-Format
Système à cassette à bande vidéo à balayage hélicoïdal utilisant la bande magnétique de 19 mm (3/4 in), d'appellation format-U
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format - Amendment A1 (IEC 60712:1993/A1:1993)
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-1999
- Technical Committee
- AVM - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Apr-1999
- Due Date
- 01-Apr-1999
- Completion Date
- 01-Apr-1999
Relations
- Effective Date
- 21-Sep-2010
Overview
EN 60712:1994/A1:1994 (CLC adoption of IEC 60712 with Amendment A1) defines the mechanical and electrical parameters for the helical‑scan video‑tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape - commonly known as U‑format / U‑matic, including the SP‑format variant. The amendment extends the original standard to cover two‑head helical‑scan SP‑format specifications suitable for 625/50 (PAL) and 525/60 (NTSC) television systems and includes details on reference and calibration tapes for interoperability and test purposes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Tape and cassette format
- 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape; cassette drawings for normal and small SP cassettes (figures 2b, 2c).
- Reference tape model: IEC U‑matic SP‑format RSU‑01SP (tape length 129 m ± 1 m; supplier listed: SONY).
- Recording system
- Two‑head helical‑scan recording/playback; mechanical and electrical parameters for H‑format and SP‑format.
- Time‑code head position for SP: distance from 180° video head scan to address head = 48 mm ± 0.1 mm.
- Magnetic media properties
- SP tape coercivity ≈ 56 × 10^3 A/m to 64 × 10^3 A/m (≈ 700–800 oersteds).
- Luminance and chrominance
- FM luminance carrier upper frequencies: 625/50 = 6.1 MHz, 525/60 = 5.5 MHz (optimum recording currents specified over the FM carrier bandwidth).
- Characteristic instantaneous frequencies and deviations (e.g., peak white 625/50 = 7.2 MHz ±0.1 MHz, 525/60 = 6.6 MHz ±0.1 MHz).
- SP composite recording bandwidth: 30 Hz – 3.3 MHz (-3 dB).
- Non‑linear luminance pre‑emphasis and chrominance pre‑emphasis characteristics provided (tables and diagrams).
- Video levels and clipping
- White clipping levels after pre‑emphasis (SP): 625/50 = 225–235%, 525/60 = 165–175%.
- Audio
- All audio tracks recorded with a.c. bias; tracks phased for additive playback when identical signals are recorded on audio 1 and 2.
- Noise‑reduction pilot: recorded pilot sine wave 12.5 Hz (625/50) or 15 Hz (525/60) at 36 dB ±3 dB below reference audio.
- Calibration & reference media
- Guidance on calibration tape record locations, reduced tolerances for calibration, and recommended calibration signal sets (colour bars, sweeps, pulses) and manufacturer‑specific signals.
Applications and users
This standard is essential for:
- Broadcast equipment manufacturers designing or validating U‑matic SP/H‑format recorders and players
- Test laboratories and quality‑control teams producing or using reference and calibration tapes
- Archivists and media transfer specialists ensuring correct playback and digitization of legacy U‑matic tapes (PAL/NTSC)
- Repair technicians, systems integrators and standards bodies concerned with interoperability and electromagnetic compatibility of video recording systems
Related standards
- IEC/EN series for video recording and magnetic tape test methods referenced in the document (e.g., other IEC 60/60B recording committee outputs). Use EN/IEC cross‑references when implementing compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 60712:1999/A1:1999 is a amendment published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format". This standard covers: Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as U-format
SIST EN 60712:1999/A1:1999 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.
SIST EN 60712:1999/A1:1999 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 60712:1999. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 60712:1999/A1:1999 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
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape,
known as U-format - Amendment A1 (IEC 60712:1993/A1:1993)
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system using 19 mm (3/4 in) magnetic tape, known as
U-format
Video-Bandkassettensystem mit Schrägspuraufzeichnung auf Magnetband 19 mm,
bekannt m-als U-Format
Système à cassette à bande vidéo à balayage hélicoïdal utilisant la bande magnétique
de 19 mm (3/4 in), d'appellation format-U
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60712:1994/A1:1994
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
AMENDEMENT 1
AMENDMENT 1
1993-06
Amendement 1
Système à cassette à bande vidéo
à balayage hélicoïdal utilisant
la bande magnétique de 19 mm (34 in),
d'appellation format-U
Amendment 1
Helical-scan video-tape cassette system
using 19 mm (34 in) magnetic tape,
known as U-format
© CEI 1993 Droits
de reproduction réservés — Copyright - all rights reserved
Bureau Central de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale 3, rue de Varembé
Genève, Suisse
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale CODE PRIX w'
International Electrotechnical Commission PRICE CODE 'v
IEC
Memilyaapomiaa 3neHrporexuHgecKan HOMHCCHfi
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
•
For price, see current catalogue
712 Amend. 1 © IEC :1993 - 3 -
FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by sub-committee 60B: Video recording, of IEC tech-
nical committee 60: Recording.
The text of this amendment is based on the following documents:
DIS
Report on Voting
60B(CO)122 60B(CO)132
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
Page 11
INTRODUCTION
Replace the last sentence by the following:
The mechanical and electrical specifications for the U-matic H-format and SP-format are
contained in this standard.
Page 13
1 Scope and object
Add the following at the end of the first paragraph:
It contains the definition of parameters for the two-head helical-scan video recording
playback system, using 19 mm (3/4 in) tape cassettes, known as U-matic SP-format
(figures 2b and 2c). The system is suitable for 625/50 PAL and 525/60 NTSC colour tele-
vision systems.
Page 15
Add the following new subclauses:
3.3 Reference tape (SP-format)
Blank tape to be used for reference recordings may be purchased from the manufacturers
listed in annex A. The electromagnetic compatibility parameters and their specifications
should be specified by the manufacturers and controlled accordingly.
The model name is IEC U-matic SP-format reference tape.
712 Amend. 1 ©IEC:1993 – 5 –
Electromagnetic compatibility parameters and their specifications are indicated in
annex A.
3.4 Calibration tape
The calibration tapes which satisfy the following requirements will be available for pur-
chase from the manufacturers producing video tape recorders and players in accordance
with this format specification.
3.4.1 Record locations and dimensions
For the calibration tapes to be used for the purpose of calibrating the mechanical accuracy
of recorder or player in accordance with this format specification, 50 % reduction in the
tolerance shown in table 2, page 63 of IEC 712, should be applied to them in principle.
If necessary, the record locations and dimensions can be specially modified for some
calibration tapes in order to avoid some calibration errors or to help some calibration work.
Calibration signals
3.4.2
Two classes of signals may be recorded on the calibration tapes:
a) A series of conventional test signals:
Video Audio
– Colour bars (75 %) – 1 kHz 0 VU
– Gated sweep – 10 kHz –10 VU
– Pulse and bar – 40 Hz –20 VU
- 1 kHz –20 VU
- 7 kHz –20 VU
– 10 kHz –20 VU
– 15 kHz –20 VU
b) Special test signals developed by each manufacturer for product alignment. These
signals are not universally applicable too the products from all manufacturers and will
not be specified.
Page 21
Add the following new subclause:
Time-code head position for SP-format
5.10
The distance on the tape from the beginning of the 180° scan of video head to the address
head position shall be 48 mm ± 0,1 mm.
Page 27
Add the following new subclause:
712 Amend. 1 ©lEC:1993 - 7 -
11.3
Coercivity (SP tape)
The coercivity shall be approximately 56 x 10 3 A/m - 64 x
103 A/m (700 to 800 oersteds).
Page 27
12 Luminance channel
Add the following description of SP-format before subclause 12.1:
Luminance channel (SP-format)
1 3
-►7►
E F G
_ 9^
IEC 616193
A Low-pass filter 1 Input signal: composite video signal or
B Non-linear pre-emphasis
composite colour signal
C Pre-emphasis
2 Band-limited FM luminance signal
D FM modulator
3 Luminance recording current
E FM high-pass filter
9 Chrominance recording current
F Recording amplifier
G Video head
Page 27
12.2 Recording current
Subclause 12.2.1
Add the following text before the note:
For SP format the recording current shall be the optimum record current at frequencies
shown in the table below over the entire FM carrier bandwidth.
625/50
525/60
6,1 MHz
5,5 MHz
712 Amend. 1 ©IEC:1993 - 9 -
Page 31
Add the following new subclause:
12.3.2 Characteristic frequencies for SP-format
The instantaneous frequencies corresponding to reference video levels shall be as indi-
cated in the table below.
625/50
525/60
Instantaneous
Instantaneous
Reference video level
Tolerance Tolerance
frequency frequency
Sync tip
5,6 MHz (nom.) — 5 MHz (nom.) —
Peak white
7,2 MHz ±0,1 MHz 6,6 MHz ±0,1 MHz
The frequency deviation shall be 1,6 MHz ± 0,1 MHz.
12.4 Pre-emphasis
Add, before 12.4.1, the following sentence:
This also applies to SP-format 525/60.
Page 33
Subclause 12.4.1
Replace the first sentence by the following:
For H-format and SP-format 625/50 the following values apply:
12.5 Recording frequency bandwidth
Add the following new subclause:
12.5.2 Recording frequency bandwidth (SP-format)
For composite colour signals: 30 Hz - 3,3 MHz (-3 dB).
Page 33
Add the following new subclauses and tables:
712 Amend. 1 ©I EC :1993 –11 –
12.6.2 White clipping level after the pre-emphasis (SP-format)
When the sync tip level is 0 % and the white peak level is 100 %, the white clipping level
of the video signal shall lie as shown in the table below:
625/50 525/60
225%to235% 165%to 175%
12.7 Non-linear pre-emphasis (SP-format)
The luminance signal shall receive non-linear pre-emphasis (see diagram below)
...




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