Digital Betacam is commonly abbreviated as Digibeta or d-beta.
The Digital Betacam format encompasses a DCT-compressed component video signal at YUV 4:2:2 sampling with 4 channels of uncompressed PCM-encoded audio at 48khz sampling. A 5th audio track is available for cueing, and a linear timecode track is also used on the tape.
Tape cassette shells are sized identically to their analog Betacam SP cousins. Both large and small sizes are used. The cassette shells are physically indexed so that a switch inside the VTR can automatically differentiate between analog and digital cassettes. Tape shell exteriors are marked with the word "Digital" in a stylized embossed script. The cassette storage cases are molded in blue plastic (vs. gray for Betacam SP) to help identify them visually.
Digibeta was an easy format to adopt because the tape shells and cases are the same size as existing Betacam SP tape. Vaults and other storage facilities were already prepared for bulk storage of the resulting tape libraries.
Another key element which aided adoption was Sony's implementation of the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) coaxial digital connection on Digital Betacam decks. Facilities could begin using digital signals on their existing coaxial wiring without having to commit to an expensive re-installation.
The most common studio VTR in this family is the DVW-A500. The deck has a reputation within the digital video production community for its speed, reliability, flexibility and performance. It is an NTSC-only unit but there is a variant for 625-line PAL applications, the DVW-A500P .
The last major factor in the rise of Digibeta is the fact that the common DVW-A500 VTR can play back analog Beta SP tapes as well as its native digital tapes. This degree of compatibility proved crucial to many facilities in selecting it as a replacement for analog formats.Equipment
The Digital Betacam family includes several different studio VTRs as well as field cameras with integrated VTRs.