Formats within the cassette family
Original Betacam and Betacam SP are analogue component systems. Betacam SX, Digital Betacam and MPEG IMX are digital standard-definition formats with different compression and recording arrangements. HDCAM and HDCAM SR are high-definition systems. A deck that accepts the physical cassette is not necessarily able to replay every one of these signals.
| Format family | Signal type | Published guide |
|---|---|---|
| Betacam / Betacam SP | Analogue component SD | From £24.99 |
| Betacam SX | Digital SD | From £24.99 |
| Digital Betacam / DigiBeta | Digital component SD | From £25 |
| MPEG IMX | Digital MPEG-based SD | From £25 |
| HDCAM / HDCAM SR | High-definition digital video | From £25 |
Standards, frame rates and audio
Professional tapes may be PAL-family, NTSC-family or one of several high-definition frame-rate and raster combinations. HDCAM-family recordings in particular should be identified from the label, project paperwork and machine readout. The transfer preserves the native programme characteristics unless a deliberate standards conversion is requested.
Audio may be analogue, digital, embedded, multi-channel or accompanied by longitudinal tracks depending on the format. State whether channel mapping, split mono files, stereo pairs or a particular broadcast layout is required.
Professional capture workflow
The cassette is inspected and the format verified before the main capture. Suitable deck outputs and digital interfaces are used for the recorded system. Timecode, reference behaviour, channel layout and programme length are checked against the requested deliverable.
- Machine selected for the exact recorded format and standard.
- SDI or appropriate analogue component path used as applicable.
- Timecode retained or documented where required by the project.
- Audio channels mapped to the agreed file layout.
- Signal and transport errors monitored through the capture.
- Viewing copies generated from the accepted master, not by replaying the tape unnecessarily.
Deliverables for viewing, editing and archive
ProRes and DNxHD are available for editing and managed archive workflows. MP4 is useful for viewing, approvals and web delivery. Native or format-specific data routes may be possible for some digital systems, but they are agreed case by case because a “native” file is not always the most usable preservation result.
Guide prices and bulk work
Published guide prices are from £24.99 for Betacam, Betacam SP and Betacam SX, and from £25 for Digital Betacam, MPEG IMX, HDCAM and HDCAM SR. Longer cassettes, damaged media, unusual standards, detailed QC, logging, restoration or bespoke delivery requirements may alter the price.
For a batch, an inventory with format, cassette size, duration, title and desired output lets the studio quote consistently. Mixed broadcast collections can be grouped into a single project without hiding the format-specific work.
Labelling and project preparation
- Keep barcodes, reel labels and production notes with each cassette.
- Do not cover the cassette’s original format logo or record-protect controls.
- Provide the originating country, frame rate and aspect ratio where known.
- State whether burnt-in timecode, clean feed, captions or multiple audio versions are expected.
- For large archives, supply a CSV or spreadsheet with one row per physical item.
- Separate visibly contaminated or damaged media and flag it in the inventory.
Questions customers commonly ask
Can you transfer large and small Betacam-family cassettes?
Yes. Both common cassette sizes can be assessed, subject to the exact recorded format and condition.
Can I have a ProRes file with timecode?
Yes, where the source and selected workflow provide suitable timecode. Tell us the required starting timecode, reel naming and whether continuous or source timecode is expected.
Is DigiBeta the same as Betacam SP?
No. Digital Betacam is a digital format; Betacam SP is analogue component video. They use related cassette shapes but require different playback capability.
Do you provide MP4 as well as a master?
Yes. A smaller MP4 access copy can be supplied alongside a professional master so reviewers do not need to handle the larger production file.