EIAJ-1
Encyclopedia
EIAJ-1, developed by the Electronic Industries Association of Japan
(in conjunction with several Japanese electronics manufacturers) in 1969, was the first standardized format for industrial/non-broadcast videotape recorders (VTRs). It was developed in response to most non-broadcast industrial VTRs on the market at the time relying on proprietary formats exclusive to the make (and sometimes model) of VTR, instead of using an industry-standard format. As a result, video tapes recorded on one make and/or model of VTR could only be interchanged with the same, hampering compatibility. EIAJ-1 did away with all of this, giving those manufacturers a standardized format interchangeable with almost all the VTRs that they manufactured.
The EIAJ-1 standard paved the way for consumer oriented non-professional analog recording
technology to become more affordable and widespread, with many businesses, schools, government agencies, hospitals, and even some consumers to immediately adopt the format in the early 1970s. Some of the first public-access television
stations that went on the air in that same era also used EIAJ-1 extensively, due to its portability, low cost, and versatility.
The format offered black-and-white
(and later colour) video recording and playback on 1/2" magnetic tape
on a 7"-diameter open reel, with portable units using smaller 5"-diameter reels. Another version, EIAJ-2, was released that used a single-reel cartridge (with the take-up reel being built-in to the VTR) instead of an open reel (otherwise it was the same as EIAJ-1).
Electronic Industries Association of Japan
Founded in 1948, the Electronic Industries Association of Japan was one of two Japanese electronics trade organizations that were merged into the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association ....
(in conjunction with several Japanese electronics manufacturers) in 1969, was the first standardized format for industrial/non-broadcast videotape recorders (VTRs). It was developed in response to most non-broadcast industrial VTRs on the market at the time relying on proprietary formats exclusive to the make (and sometimes model) of VTR, instead of using an industry-standard format. As a result, video tapes recorded on one make and/or model of VTR could only be interchanged with the same, hampering compatibility. EIAJ-1 did away with all of this, giving those manufacturers a standardized format interchangeable with almost all the VTRs that they manufactured.
The EIAJ-1 standard paved the way for consumer oriented non-professional analog recording
Analog recording
Analog recording is a technique used for the recording of analog signals which among many possibilities include audio frequency, analog audio and analog video information for later playback.Analog recording methods store signals as a continual wave in or on the media...
technology to become more affordable and widespread, with many businesses, schools, government agencies, hospitals, and even some consumers to immediately adopt the format in the early 1970s. Some of the first public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
stations that went on the air in that same era also used EIAJ-1 extensively, due to its portability, low cost, and versatility.
The format offered black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
(and later colour) video recording and playback on 1/2" magnetic tape
Magnetic tape
Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic. It was developed in Germany, based on magnetic wire recording. Devices that record and play back audio and video using magnetic tape are tape recorders and video tape recorders...
on a 7"-diameter open reel, with portable units using smaller 5"-diameter reels. Another version, EIAJ-2, was released that used a single-reel cartridge (with the take-up reel being built-in to the VTR) instead of an open reel (otherwise it was the same as EIAJ-1).