Magnetic recording trends: media developments and future (video) recording systems

Requirements are presented for media intended for future magnetic recording systems. Existing and future video systems and the corresponding demands on particulate and thin-film media are discussed. The trend in magnetic recording is towards higher frequencies and larger storage capacities. In rigid-disk data storage systems thin-film media are used to meet these high demands. Thin-film media could only be used after a thorough study of the problems concerning medium noise, corrosion, and wear. Two newly introduced video systems, Super VHS (S-VHS) and high-band 8-mm (Hi8), demonstrate the improvements created by increasing the performance of recording media. High performance of recording media is imperative to develop consumer recorders for high-definition television (HDTV). An example of an experimental HDTV recorder, which uses the MAC (multiplexed analog components) transmission standard, is given. The possibility of recording the video information digitally is elucidated by the description of an experimental digital recorder.>