Betacam Tape Types

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-5M5 mins BCT-5GL5 mins
BCT-10M10 mins BCT-10GL10 mins
BCT-20M20 mins BCT-20GL20 mins
BCT-30M30 mins BCT-30GL30 mins
BCT-60GL60 mins
BCT-90GL90 mins

SMALL
Oxide
(non-SP)
Running
times
LARGE
Metal
(SP)
Running
times

BCT-5G5 mins BCT-5ML5 mins
BCT-10G10 mins BCT-10ML10 mins
BCT-20G20 mins BCT-20ML20 mins
BCT-30G30 mins BCT-30ML30 mins
BCT-60ML60 mins
BCT-90ML90 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

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