The expansion of DVCAM to include disk-based acquisition was a natural step in its evolution. With that in mind, we unveiled the DSR-DU1 Video Disk Unit at NAB2002. Designed to bring a new level of operational versatility to DVCAM and DV production, the DSR-DU1 provides approximately three hours of DVCAM/DV stream recording, equivalent to the maximum recording time of a DVCAM tape. Through an i.LINK (DV) connection, the output of the camcorder's camera can be simultaneously recorded to both the hard drive of the DSR-DU1 and the camcorderâs tape cassette.
The DSR-DU1 is a versatile unit. When a shoot has been completed, it can be detached from the camcorder and used for field off-line logging or EDL creation, as a player for making dubs, or as a source feeder machine for i.LINK-equipped nonlinear editors. It also offers loop recording to avoid missing an important scene, and interval recording (time-lapse) to capture scenes over a long period.
The i.LINK IEEE-1394 interface on the DSR-DU1 supports two types of protocols: AV/C (Audio Video/Control) and SBP2. The DSR-DU1 receives and stores the DVCAM/DV stream from compatible DVCAM and DV camcorders using the AV/C protocol. The DSR-DU1 can then upload the DVCAM/DV files into compatible i.LINK interface-equipped nonlinear editors using either the SBP2 or AV/C protocol. In the case of the SBP2 protocol, the DV files stored on the DSR-DU1 can be selected on a file basis from the GUI of the compatible nonlinear editor, and then uploaded to the editorâs hard drive at up to two times faster than realtime, depending on the NLE used.
The record, start, and stop time code values of each scene are also transferred to the editor, eliminating the logging process common to nonlinear editing. When downloading DVCAM/DV files from an NLE to the DSR-DU1, AV/C protocol at realtime speed is supported.
One of the unique benefits of the DSR-DU1 is its ability to dock onto the rear of compatible camcorders by use of the optional CA-DU1 Camera Adapter. By connecting an i.LINK cable from the camcorder to the camera adapter, the camera output is recorded to the hard drive of the DSR-DU1 in parallel with the recording on the camcorder's tape. Additionally, the DSR-DU1 will continue to record during cassette changes, preventing the loss of a vital scene.
When not using a compatible Sony camcorder, the DSR-DU1 can be connected to a variety of i.LINK (DV) interface-equipped Sony handheld camcorders. With a single i.LINK cable connection, it is possible to record the camera output in parallel with the recording being made on the camcorder's tape. Since the smaller camcorders only accommodate mini cassettes with a maximum recording time of 40 minutes in DVCAM mode, the three-hour recording time of the DSR-DU1 can significantly expand the use of these compact, handheld camcorders in DVCAM-based productions.
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