Tape Lengths
Both NTSC and PAL/SECAM VHS cassettes are physically identical (although the signals recorded on the tape are incompatible). However, as tape speeds differ between NTSC and PAL/SECAM, the playing time for any given cassette will vary accordingly between the systems. In order to avoid confusion, manufacturers indicate the playing time in minutes that can be expected for the market the tape is sold in. It is perfectly possible to record and play back a blank T-XXX tape in a PAL machine or a blank E-XXX tape in an NTSC machine, but the resulting playing time will be different from that indicated.
To calculate the playing time for a T-XXX tape in a PAL machine, use this formula: PAL/SECAM Recording Time = T-XXX in minutes * (6.6/4.69)
To calculate the playing time for an E-XXX tape in an NTSC machine, use this formula: NTSC Recording Time = E-XXX in minutes * (4.69/6.6)
Some new Panasonic NTSC/ATSC recorders also include a Very long Play (VP) mode which is not part of the official specification. It enables recordings at 1/5 the SP speed, such that a T-180 holds 3*5 == 15 hours.
- E-XXX indicates playing time in minutes for PAL or SECAM in SP and LP speeds.
- T-XXX indicates playing time in minutes for NTSC or PAL-M in SP, LP, and EP/SLP speeds.
- SP is Standard Play, LP is Long Play (1/2 speed), EP/SLP is extended/super long play (1/3 speed)
| Tape label | Tape length | Rec. time (NTSC) | Rec. time (PAL) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | ft | SP | LP | EP/SLP | SP | LP | ||
| T-60 | 125.6 | 412 | 60 min (1 h) | 120 min (2 h) | 180 min (3 h) | 84 min (1:24 h) | 168 min (2:48 h) | |
| T-90 | 185.9 | 610 | 90 min (1:30 h) | 180 min (3 h) | 270 min (4:30 h) | 126 min (2:06 h) | 252 min (4:12 h) | |
| T-120 | 247.5 | 812 | 120 min (2 h) | 240 min (4 h) | 360 min (6 h) | 169 min (2:49 h) | 338 min (5:38 h) | |
| T-160 | 327.7 | 1075 | 160 min (2:40 h) | 320 min (5:20 h) | 480 min (8 h) | 225 min (3:45 h) | 450 min (7:30 h) | |
| T-180 | 368.8 | 1210 | 180 min (3 h) | 360 min (6 h) | 540 min (9 h) | 253 min (4:13 h) | 507 min (8:27 h) | |
| T-210 (rare) | 433.1 | 1421 | 210 min (3:30 h) | 420 min (7 h) | 630 min (10:30 h) | 294 min (4:56 h) | 592 min (9:52 h) | |
| DF480 (T-240 equiv) | 495 | 1624 | 240 min (4 h) | 480 min (8 h) | 720 min (12 h) | 340 min (5:40 h) | 680 min (11:20 h) | |
| E-120 | 173.7 | 570 | 83 min (1:26 h) | 172 min (2:52 h) | 258 min (4:18 h) | 120 min (2 h) | 240 min (4 h) | |
| E-180 | 259.4 | 851 | 129 min (2:09 h) | 258 min (4:18 h) | 387 min (6:27 h) | 180 min (3 h) | 360 min (6 h) | |
| E-240 | 348.1 | 1142 | 173 min (2:53 h) | 346 min (5:46 h) | 519 min (8:39 h) | 240 min (4 h) | 480 min (8 h) | |
| E-300 | 435.1 | 1427 | 216 min (3:36 h) | 432 min (7:12 h) | 649 min (10:49 h) | 300 min (5 h) | 600 min (10 h) | |
Read more about this topic: VHS, Technical Details
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