Longitudinal Video Recording
Encyclopedia
Longitudinal Video Recording or LVR was a consumer
VCR
system and videotape
standard
.
s and laying the tracks obliquely across the tape in a helical scan
, the LVR ran a tape quickly past a stationary recording head which would step across the tape width and lay down a series of parallel tracks along the tape's length. The head used fixed scanning but moved down the tape to the next track once the end of the quickly moving tape (240 ips with 300 tracks to a ½” tape) had been reached.
's production company, Bing Crosby Enterprises (BCE), who had pioneered the use of magnetic tape recording for his radio show in the 1940s. BCE gave the world's first demonstration of a videotape recording in Los Angeles on November 11, 1951. Developed by John T. Mullin
and Wayne R. Johnson since 1950, the device gave what were described as "blurred and indistinct" images, using a modified Ampex
200 tape recorder and standard quarter-inch (0.6 cm) audio tape moving at 360 inches (9.1 m) per second. A year later, an improved version, using one-inch (2.6 cm) magnetic tape, was shown to the press, who reportedly expressed amazement at the quality of the images, although they had a "persistent grainy quality that looked like a worn motion picture". Overall, the picture quality was still considered inferior to the best kinescope
recordings on film. Bing Crosby Enterprises hoped to have a commercial version available in 1954, but none came forth. BCE demonstrated a color model in February 1955, using a longitudinal recording on half-inch (1.3 cm) tape, essentially similar to what RCA
had demonstrated in 1953. CBS
, RCA's competitor, was about to order BCE machines when Ampex introduced the superior Quadruplex system (see below).
From then it became clear that 'rotating-head' helical scan recorders were the way forward with superior sound and picture quality. However the expense of rotating-head machines ($2000 for a machine in 1956) meant that work continued on developing a consumer stationary-head machine for some time with efforts from Akai
, GEC and the BBC
. The BBC abandoned their VERA system in 1958 in favour of the Ampex quadruplex
system, though further research continued with the BBC Research department demonstrating an experimental digital LVR machine in June 1974 which recorded colour television on 42 tracks on a one inch tape moving at 120 ips.
The first home VCRs to become widely available were the Sony
U-Matic
system in 1971 and Philips
VCR system, released in 1972. However, the first system to be successful with consumers was Sony's Betamax
in 1975. This was quickly followed by the competing VHS
(Video Home System) format from JVC
, and later by Video 2000
from Philips
.
BASF had announced a commercial LVR as early as 1974, however it wasn't demonstrated until Autumn 1978 at the Berlin Radio Show
. Toshiba first demonstrated their prototype LVR at the Consumer Electronics Show
in Chicago
in June 1979. Although using the same principle, the tapes developed by BASF and Toshiba were incompatible, with BASF moving a length of tape back and forth over the head, whilst Toshiba used a continuous loop.
One of the advantages touted for the system was the low production cost of both the tapes and the hardware but consumers never had the chance to try it. Problems with the poor picture quality caused by a very brief interruption to the picture as the head moved down led to delays in production. In addition the uncertainty as European rival Blaupunkt
began developing their own system and the quality issues let VHS and Betamax become the dominant formats and the LVR never went to market.
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
VCR
Videocassette recorder
The videocassette recorder , is a type of electro-mechanical device that uses removable videocassettes that contain magnetic tape for recording analog audio and analog video from broadcast television so that the images and sound can be played back at a more convenient time...
system and videotape
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
standard
Standardization
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
.
Comparison with other VCR technologies
LVR differed from other VCR technologies in that instead of running a tape slowly past a pair of rapidly moving recording headRecording head
A recording head is the physical interface between a recording apparatus and a moving recording medium. Recording heads are generally classified according to the physical principle that allows them to impress their data upon their medium...
s and laying the tracks obliquely across the tape in a helical scan
Helical scan
Helical scan is a method of recording high bandwidth signals onto magnetic tape. It is used in reel-to-reel video tape recorders, video cassette recorders, digital audio tape recorders, and some computer tape drives....
, the LVR ran a tape quickly past a stationary recording head which would step across the tape width and lay down a series of parallel tracks along the tape's length. The head used fixed scanning but moved down the tape to the next track once the end of the quickly moving tape (240 ips with 300 tracks to a ½” tape) had been reached.
Development
Work had begun on longitudinal video recording as early as 1950 by the electronics division of entertainer Bing CrosbyBing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
's production company, Bing Crosby Enterprises (BCE), who had pioneered the use of magnetic tape recording for his radio show in the 1940s. BCE gave the world's first demonstration of a videotape recording in Los Angeles on November 11, 1951. Developed by John T. Mullin
Jack Mullin
John T. "Jack" Mullin was an American pioneer in the field of magnetic tape sound recording and made significant contributions to many other related fields. From his days at Santa Clara University to his death, he displayed a deep appreciation for classical music and an aptitude for electronics...
and Wayne R. Johnson since 1950, the device gave what were described as "blurred and indistinct" images, using a modified Ampex
Ampex
Ampex is an American electronics company founded in 1944 by Alexander M. Poniatoff. The name AMPEX is an acronym, created by its founder, which stands for Alexander M. Poniatoff Excellence...
200 tape recorder and standard quarter-inch (0.6 cm) audio tape moving at 360 inches (9.1 m) per second. A year later, an improved version, using one-inch (2.6 cm) magnetic tape, was shown to the press, who reportedly expressed amazement at the quality of the images, although they had a "persistent grainy quality that looked like a worn motion picture". Overall, the picture quality was still considered inferior to the best kinescope
Kinescope
Kinescope , shortened to kine , also known as telerecording in Britain, is a recording of a television program made by filming the picture from a video monitor...
recordings on film. Bing Crosby Enterprises hoped to have a commercial version available in 1954, but none came forth. BCE demonstrated a color model in February 1955, using a longitudinal recording on half-inch (1.3 cm) tape, essentially similar to what RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
had demonstrated in 1953. CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, RCA's competitor, was about to order BCE machines when Ampex introduced the superior Quadruplex system (see below).
From then it became clear that 'rotating-head' helical scan recorders were the way forward with superior sound and picture quality. However the expense of rotating-head machines ($2000 for a machine in 1956) meant that work continued on developing a consumer stationary-head machine for some time with efforts from Akai
Akai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
, GEC and the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. The BBC abandoned their VERA system in 1958 in favour of the Ampex quadruplex
Quadruplex
Quadruplex may refer to:*Quadruplex telegraph, an improvement on the electrical telegraph patented in 1874 by Thomas Edison*2 inch Quadruplex videotape, the first practical and commercially successful videotape format...
system, though further research continued with the BBC Research department demonstrating an experimental digital LVR machine in June 1974 which recorded colour television on 42 tracks on a one inch tape moving at 120 ips.
The first home VCRs to become widely available were the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
U-Matic
U-matic
U-matic is an analog recording videocassette format first shown by Sony in prototype in October 1969, and introduced to the market in September 1971. It was among the first video formats to contain the videotape inside a cassette, as opposed to the various Reel-to-Reel or open-reel formats of the...
system in 1971 and Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
VCR system, released in 1972. However, the first system to be successful with consumers was Sony's Betamax
Betamax
Betamax was a consumer-level analog videocassette magnetic tape recording format developed by Sony, released on May 10, 1975. The cassettes contain -wide videotape in a design similar to the earlier, professional wide, U-matic format...
in 1975. This was quickly followed by the competing VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
(Video Home System) format from JVC
JVC
, usually referred to as JVC, is a Japanese international consumer and professional electronics corporation based in Yokohama, Japan which was founded in 1927...
, and later by Video 2000
Video 2000
Video 2000 was a consumer videocassette recorder system and analog recording videocassette standard developed by Philips and Grundig to compete with JVC's VHS and Sony's Betamax video technologies...
from Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
.
BASF had announced a commercial LVR as early as 1974, however it wasn't demonstrated until Autumn 1978 at the Berlin Radio Show
Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin
The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Between 1924 and 1939 it was an annual event, but as from 1950 it was organized on a two yearly basis until 2005. Since then it has become an annual event again, held in September...
. Toshiba first demonstrated their prototype LVR at the Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in June 1979. Although using the same principle, the tapes developed by BASF and Toshiba were incompatible, with BASF moving a length of tape back and forth over the head, whilst Toshiba used a continuous loop.
One of the advantages touted for the system was the low production cost of both the tapes and the hardware but consumers never had the chance to try it. Problems with the poor picture quality caused by a very brief interruption to the picture as the head moved down led to delays in production. In addition the uncertainty as European rival Blaupunkt
Blaupunkt
GmbH is a German manufacturer of electronics equipment, noted for its home and car audio equipment. It was a 100% subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH until March 1st, 2009 when its Aftermarket and Accessories branch including the brand name were sold to Aurelius AG of Germany for an undisclosed...
began developing their own system and the quality issues let VHS and Betamax become the dominant formats and the LVR never went to market.