Betacam PALsite Tapes Page http://betacam.PALsite.com The PALsite Betacam Web Resource

Betacam tapes come in many distinct types. The most common is SP. The SP (Superior perfomance) tapes use a Metal Oxide formulation. Only Video Tape Recorders displaying the BETACAM SP badge will work with SP tapes. Different series of tapes exist for the Digital Betacam and Betacam SX series machines. These are clearly labelled with the appropiate Betacam logo and tapes are not interchangeable between the formats. There is also the orginal non-SP fomrat tapes which use oxide particle material for the tape. By far the most common are the BETACAM SP tapes which work with BETACAM SP VTRs. These come in two different sizes large and small. Not all VTRs are capable of taking the larger tapes.

SMALL Metal (SP) Running times LARGE Oxide (non-SP) Running times BCT-5M 5 mins BCT-5GL 5 mins BCT-10M 10 mins BCT-10GL 10 mins BCT-20M 20 mins BCT-20GL 20 mins BCT-30M 30 mins BCT-30GL 30 mins     BCT-60GL 60 mins     BCT-90GL 90 mins SMALL Oxide (non-SP) Running times LARGE Metal (SP) Running times BCT-5G 5 mins BCT-5ML 5 mins BCT-10G 10 mins BCT-10ML 10 mins BCT-20G 20 mins BCT-20ML 20 mins BCT-30G 30 mins BCT-30ML 30 mins     BCT-60ML 60 mins     BCT-90ML 90 mins

Erase Tabs Betacam tapes have re-useable erase tabs in the form of sliding tabs which when pushed inwards prevent accidental erasure of material on the tape. The position of the erase tabs differs between tape types.
	Key: 1. Record Inhibit Oxide 2. Tape Thickness 15 µm or 20 µm 3. Oxide or Metal 4. Reel Hub diameter. Large or Small 5.Record Inhibit Metal