CompuServe Messages

Just looking through my "The Real Facts about Desktop Video Editing" by Cliff Roth. The PCM audio track is indeed helical but a portion of it is reserved for PCM. Video doesn't live there. Audio can be dubbed there after video is on tape. The spinning rotary head switches from record to play as it passes between the pcm area and video area of the helical track. It goes on to say that PCM uses "only a very simple method of data compression. ……results in frequency response limited to about 15khz …quite good, and certainly superior to the VHS linear track." From MediaEditor's manual page 83 on discussing the SMPTE time code which they make with their TCGen program and lay down to audio track: "MediaEditor does not read time code continuously. Time code is read during preroll when the deck in in Play, to correct tape position acquired from the control track, reel sensor , or edit port. ….After the time code is read, it is used to reset the tape position display and internal counters. Tape position is obtained by other means thereafter." Hope all this helps in your purchase decision. Rocky