Betacam IMX

Betacam IMX is a new development of the Digital Betacam format by Sony.

IMX uses the MPEG compression system as opposed to the DCT system employed in previous systems.

IMX tapes are physically indexed for automatic type differentiation by the VTR. Additionally, the tape shell and its storage case are molded in green plastic for easy visual identification.

Tape shells are identically sized to their Digibeta and Betacam SP cousins, for easy library storage.

The IMX format allows for a CCIR 601 video signal, with 8 channels of audio as well as cue and timecode tracks.

With its new IMX VTRs, Sony introduced some new technologies including SDTI and eVTR. SDTI allows for audio, video, timecode, and remote control functions to be transported by a single coaxial cable.

eVTR technology extends this by allowing the same data to be transported over IP by way of an ethernet interface on the VTR itself.

IMX VTRs such as the MSW-2100M are capable of playing back Digital Betacam cassettes as well as analog Betacam SP cassettes, but can only record to their native IMX cassettes.