[Bwalkerii]

Hello Sarah…

Beta SP is still the main format for the majority of us TV stations out there. DV isn’t quite up to snuff and their are too many higher DV formats, including HD formats for just one to stand out. Therefore Beta is still running along and will be for I would guess at least another 5 years until one new digital format can take over the majority.

As for archiving, right now our station, and the others in my region all still go to tape, but we also back up to CD/DVD. We’ll continue to archive to tape as long as we have decks and SONY’s prices for repair parts don’t become to prohibitive…(the price of a head and drum have gone up 3x in just over a year or so)…

Unfortunately it seems most of the camera companies want us out of tape and to digital (more money for them for more new equipment) but I’m having a tough time convincing the corporate heads that I need money for new gear after they’ve just spent a few million per station on getting us Digital Television ready.

It’s really a tough call, but like 3/4″ tape, I think Beta SP will be around for quite a while yet, but to hedge, I’d be archiving to either hardrives or Discs. Hope this helps!

bobby walker ii

bobby walker ii
Broadcast Video