Peep search
Encyclopedia
Peep Search is feature available on many videocassette recorders and most camcorder
s, whereby the unit can show you what is on the tape during rewind and fast forward operations. For this feature to work seamlessly, the tape must be fully laced up (wrapped around the video heads) during rewind and fast-forward operation, which is not usually supported on VHS decks and therefore makes VHS almost the only video tape format where peep search is not usually available.
To make a distinction between peep search and normal picture search, consider the following operations:
Picture Search (or cue and review):
Peep Search:
On some models of equipment, the peep search is carried out at the full rewind or fast forward speed, but most slow the tape down to the picture search speed and actually perform a picture search operation.
Peep Search is available with all of the following video tape formats:
The following formats generally or always unlace during rewind and fast-forward operations and so are unable to carry out this function:
The following formats remain laced during rewind and fast-forward operations but the mechanisms did not allow for this feature:
The peep search function may go under differing names, or no name at all, with some manufacturers. Curiously, many manufacturers' instruction manuals make no mention of this feature, even when it is installed. The name was first used by Canon.
Camcorder
A camcorder is an electronic device that combines a video camera and a video recorder into one unit. Equipment manufacturers do not seem to have strict guidelines for the term usage...
s, whereby the unit can show you what is on the tape during rewind and fast forward operations. For this feature to work seamlessly, the tape must be fully laced up (wrapped around the video heads) during rewind and fast-forward operation, which is not usually supported on VHS decks and therefore makes VHS almost the only video tape format where peep search is not usually available.
To make a distinction between peep search and normal picture search, consider the following operations:
Picture Search (or cue and review):
- During tape playback, the Fast Forward or Rewind button is pressed. Depending on the model of machine, this button press may be momentary or have to be held. The picture can be viewed at high speed. When the button is released, or when Play is pressed again (depending on model), the video tape will again play at normal speed.
Peep Search:
- During tape fast forward or rewind, the same function is selected again with the Fast Forward or Rewind button. Now the machine instantly displays a high speed image from the tape. Upon releasing the button, the machine reverts to the fast forward or rewind function.
On some models of equipment, the peep search is carried out at the full rewind or fast forward speed, but most slow the tape down to the picture search speed and actually perform a picture search operation.
Peep Search is available with all of the following video tape formats:
- Video8/Hi8
- Digital8Digital8Digital8 is a consumer digital recording videocassette for camcorders based on the 8 mm video format developed by Sony, and introduced in 1999.The Digital8 format is a combination of the older Hi8 tape transport with the DV codec...
- BetamaxBetamaxBetamax 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...
, though not implemented by SanyoSanyois a major electronics company and member of the Fortune 500 whose headquarters is located in Moriguchi, Osaka prefecture, Japan. Sanyo targets the middle of the market and has over 230 Subsidiaries and Affiliates....
decks, most of which returned the tape to the cassette for high speed winding. Sony called their mode "BetaSkipScan". - miniDV, almost all miniDV equipment supports this feature, the notable exception being some JVCJVC, usually referred to as JVC, is a Japanese international consumer and professional electronics corporation based in Yokohama, Japan which was founded in 1927...
camcorders. - micromvMicroMVMicroMV was a proprietary videotape format introduced in 2001 by Sony. This cassette is physically smaller than a Digital8 or DV cassette. In fact, MicroMV is the smallest videotape format — 70% smaller than MiniDV or about the size of two US quarter coins. Each cassette can hold up to 60 minutes...
The following formats generally or always unlace during rewind and fast-forward operations and so are unable to carry out this function:
- VHS/SVHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
though a few models attempt to emulate the functionality, mostly Sony - V2000
The following formats remain laced during rewind and fast-forward operations but the mechanisms did not allow for this feature:
- N1500/N1700Video Cassette RecordingVideo Cassette Recording was an early domestic analog recording format designed by Philips. It was the first successful consumer-level home videocassette recorder system. Later variants included the VCR-LP and Super Video formats.The VCR format was introduced in 1972, just after the Sony...
The peep search function may go under differing names, or no name at all, with some manufacturers. Curiously, many manufacturers' instruction manuals make no mention of this feature, even when it is installed. The name was first used by Canon.