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The drum assembly carries the video tape around it in a controlled flat circular path. The contact area of the drum has a slot between the upper and lower portions that allows a rotating pair of recording heads to touch the tape. It travels at an angle from bottom to top and the opening is level in respect to the assembly. As the tape moves around the drum these two conditions produce a swipe area across the tape that is elongated and diagonal. This makes available to the heads the length of magnetic material necessary for the volume of information required to produce a video image. The only alternative would be to send the tape at a high rate of speed past a stationary head, which would limit the recording times to the point of impracticality for a home recording system. Also the wear to the components would be another prohibitive factor. In the training manuals for the Beta format the principles and methods used for this scanning technology are explained along with the azimuth head design, implemented to reduce crosstalk. These sections of the manual are reproduced in the above illustrations. The technology is elegant and makes home video recording possible and practical. The illustrations are representations used for training purposes. In reality the recorded track of the scanning video heads is much more elongated than those shown. To reproduce them actual size would be cumbersome and impractical. For additional information on the operation and refurbishing of the Beta format visit the "Beta Refurbishing" link in the navigator bar on the right or click here. To go back to the previous panel click here. |