ABSTRACT
The portable video/recorder broadcast camera was developed in the early 1980s. Amongst the many technological innovations in the design since then has been the replacement of pick-up tubes with CCDs, a move from analogue recording to digital recording combined with a move from analogue signal processing to digital processing (although a CCD is an analogue device). The introduction of television stereo audio was followed by the development of the dual-format camera in response to the move towards a 16:9 widescreen television system. One-piece camera/recorders have always been available but two-piece camera/recorders allow the user a choice of which recording format to attach to the camera. A variety of digital recording formats has been developed, particularly the upgrading of hitherto domestic digital video recording formats to facilitate cheaper and less complex cameras/recorders to match the different production requirements of video acquisition. In the interests of speed and convenience, many organizations need to acquire and edit all production material on the same format coupled with the need for universal technical back-up support for crews working a long way from base.
