The HDW-1800/D1800 is a high-definition (HD) digital videocassette recorder based on the HDCAM format. This unit uses large scale integrated circuits for signal processing, and has a simple internal construction, allowing it to provide functionality at least equivalent to a conventional VTR in a compact (4U size), lightweight, and low power consumption design. In addition to HDCAM format recording and playback, the HDW-D1800 can also play back tapes recorded in the Digital Betacam and MPEG IMX formats. HDCAM format The HDCAM format uses the same 12.65-mm width tape as the conventional Betacam series. It provides high definition images, offering up to two hours of recording. For video signal compression, prefiltration and coefficient recording technologies are used. The newly developed high-performance heads and dynamic tracking (DT) technology provide high-density recording and playback in narrow tracks with high reliability. The VTR automatically detects the recording format of tapes when they are loaded, so that no menu settings need to be made when changing formats. High-precision digital signal processing and range of interfaces Digital signal processing uses HD 4:2:2 component video signals complying with SMPTE 292M, which are converted into parallel data and then compressed into HDCAM format. The audio signals are based on the AES/EBU format, and are subjected to digital signal processing without being compressed. The unit is equipped with a high definition to standard definition (HD-to-SD) downconverter, and has the following interfaces for ease of connection to different external devices. • SD analog composite signal output • Analog audio signal input/output (2 channels) • HDSDI SMPTE 292M input/output (HD digital video/ audio, 4/8 channels) • SDI SMPTE 259M output (component digital video/ audio, 4/8 channels) • AES/EBU serial digital audio input/output (4 channels for input, 4/8 channels for output) • Timecode input/output High-quality four-channel audio High-quality 20 bit/48 kHz digital audio is supported in the HDCAM format and there are four digital audio input/ output channels. The HDW-D1800 also supports 4-channel digital audio playback in the Digital Betacam format and a maximum of 8-channel digital audio playback in the MPEG IMX format.