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A Video 2000 tape

Video 2000 (or V2000; also known as Video Compact Cassette, or VCC) was a consumer videocassette recorder system and analog recording videocassette standard developed by Grundig and Philips to compete with JVC's VHS and Sony's Betamax video technologies. Distribution of Video 2000 products began in 1979 and ended in 1988; they were marketed exclusively in most European countries, Brazil and Argentina.

Philips named the videotape standard Video Compact Cassette (VCC) to complement their landmark Audio Compact Cassette format introduced in 1963, but the format itself was marketed under the trademark Video 2000. Video 2000 succeeded Philips's earlier VCR, VCR-LP and Grundig's SVR formats.

Technological innovations[link]

At the time of its launch Video 2000 offered several innovative features unmatched by the competing formats VHS and Betamax:

• Only half of the magnetic tape is scanned by a helical scanner during each side pass. The cassette can then be flipped over to use the other half of the tape, thus doubling playing time.
• The tape was totally enclosed when not in use. Unlike competing formats that had spaces for the tape loading mechanism to be inserted, thus exposing the delicate magnetic tape surface, VCCs had a retractable sheath that covered such space. The sheath was retracted as a tape is inserted into the machine and only then can the tape cover be raised to expose the tape.
• Because of its Dynamic Track Following (DTF) technology (involving an advanced, movable video head tip), V2000 did not require a video tracking control. However, some late models lacked DTF.
• All V2000 VCRs sported an auto-rewind function (later matched by VHS and Betamax)
• Dynamic Noise Suppression to reduce tape hiss on the audio track.
• Provision of a data track alongside the video track
• channel selection and timer programming were undertaken by a 0-9 numeric keypad

Thanks to DTF, V2000 was able to play both fields of the image in still frame mode, providing full vertical resolution whereas VHS and Betamax could only reproduce one field, giving only half of the normal vertical resolution. A real advantage of DTF on all but the very first V2000 models was the ability to provide picture search without noise bars across the screen, a feature domestic VHS or Betamax machines were only ever able to approach by introducing complex multi-head drums.

Although Philips and Grundig agreed on a common tape format, they came up with machines that were radically different mechanically. The Grundig machines featured a Betamax-style loading ring to rotate the tape around the video heads, while Philips utilised an "M-wrap" similar to that used in VHS machines.

Not long before the end of production Philips introduced a half-speed mode, the V2000 XL or eXtra Long, doubling capacity and making it possible to store 16 hours (eight hours per side) on one single tape. This was featured in Philips VR2840 and Grundig's Video 2x8 machines.

Though linear stereo sound was available on some models, both VHS and Betamax were offering hifi stereo sound with near-CD quality by the mid 1980s.

Construction of the Video Compact Cassette[link]

Despite the name, VCCs were marginally larger than VHS cassettes — 5 mm shorter, but a millimeter thicker and 6 mm deeper.^[1][2] They had two reels containing half-inch (12.5 mm) wide chrome dioxide magnetic tape. The format utilized only a quarter-inch (6.25 mm) of the half-inch tape on a given side, and so it is occasionally referred to erroneously as a quarter-inch tape format despite its physical width.

While VHS and Beta tapes have a break-off tab to protect recordings from erasure (as in audio Compact Cassettes and, once broken, the cavity left by the missing tab must be covered or filled before the tape can be reused), VCCs employed a more elegant solution: a switch on the tape edge could be turned to red to protect the recordings, and back to black/brown (depending on the colour of the cassette housing) to re-record. The switch covered/uncovered a hole along the tape edge, which was detected by a sensor in the machine.

The tape edge featured six such holes along each side of the tape, detected by sensors on the cassette's underside. The left-hand cluster included the write-protection hole. The right-hand cluster of three was used (by various permutations of open/closed status) to tell the machine the total tape running time. This was employed in later machines such as Grundig's Video 2x4 Super to provide a real-time tape counter: upon insertion of the tape the machine would move the tape forward and then backward by a small amount and monitor the comparative angular speed of the reels. This was looked up in a data table for the known total tape length and the hours and minutes used were then displayed. A similar technique was later used on Video8, MiniDV and MicroMV cassettes. Some later VHS machines also featured this ability, but with many non JVC machines, it did not work with the short VHS-C cassettes.

NOTE: When Grundig began marketing VHS, its GV280 machine employed barcoded stickers attached to the tape edge, indicating the total tape length to the machine so that it could calculate the time used.

Machines[link]

Recorders in the format were manufactured by Philips and Grundig and marketed additionally by Pye, Bang and Olufsen and ITT in the UK, with Radiola, Siera and Siemens in Europe).

• Philips VR2020 basic recorder (also Pye 20VR20, Siera 20VR20, B&O Beocord 8800)
• Philips VR2021 as VR2020 with minor cosmetic changes to bring into line with VR2022, and incorporating several of that machine’s upgraded componentry (also Pye 20VR21)
• Philips VR2022 as VR2021 with added noiseless Picture Search at 7x forwards and 5x reverse (Pye 20VR22, B&O Beocord 8802)
• Philips VR2023 redesigned fascia and remote control as standard
• Philips VR2024 as VR2023 with added linear stereo
• Philips VR2025 rebranded Grundig Video 2x4 Super
• Philips VR2220/VR2120 two-part (recorder/tuner-timer) portable machine (also Pye and Radiola 22VR20)
• Philips VR2324 basic series II compact machine (Pye 23VR24, Siera 23VR24)
• Philips VR2334 as VR2324 with added remote control and trick play
• Philips VR2340 as VR2334 with added linear stereo
• Philips VR2350 front-loading MatchLine model as VR2340
• Philips VR2840 as VR2340 with added 16-hour XL recording mode
• Philips VR2414 basic series III compact machine
• Grundig Video 2x4 basic recorder 700 (also ITT 480, Siemens FM204)
• Grundig Video 2x4 plus 770 – as 2x4 with added trick play
• Grundig Video 2x4 Super 800 – series II machine with noiseless Picture Search at 7x forwards and 5x reverse (also Philips VR2025, Siemens FM404)
• Grundig Video 2x4 850 – as 2x4 Super
• Grundig Video 2x4 Stereo 880 – as 2x4 Super with added linear stereo
• Grundig Video 2x4 1600 – basic series III machine, the only V2000 not to feature DTF
• Grundig Video 2x4 2000 – series III machine
• Grundig Video 2x4 2000a - as 2000 redesigned electronics; Display changed
• Grundig Video 2x4 2200 – series III machine with added linear stereo
• Grundig Video 2x4/2x8 2080 – series III machine featuring 16-hour XL recording mode
• Grundig Video 2x4/2x8 2280 - as 2080 with added linear stereo
• Grundig Video 2x4/2x8 2280a - as 2280 completely redesigned; Link to VS2XX

Format developments[link]

As with so many Philips developments, Video 2000 was ahead of its time^{[citation needed]}. It aimed to correct the failings of the VHS and Betamax formats whilst providing the potential for exciting developments. The prototype Video Mini Cassette was a compact version of the VCC (analogous to VHS-C) that was playable in existing machines using a full-sized cassette adaptor. Published photos clearly show the nomenclature VMC120, suggesting that 60 minutes per side were intended, but Philips retired Video 2000 before the development was ready for market.

Hifi sound was never marketed although rumours persisted shortly before the format's demise of a hifi machine which utilised the data track. This would have offered the format another trump over VHS/Beta as the hifi track would be independent of the visuals, and so could be re-recorded or dubbed as became possible later with Video8.

Rumours also circulated in the press of an auto-reverse machine shortly before the format was retired. Technically this would have been a major challenge since a single head drum would not have been able to scan both "sides" of the tape correctly due to the helical scan head which is not angled at 90 degrees.

Alongside the write-protect hole were two that were never used. One was slated to indicate the tape formulation as higher coercivity tapes were to be introduced for the "Super 2000" hi-band version of the format. The flexibility of this system also allowed for metal tape to be introduced for the digital version "Digital 2000", also in the early stages of development as the format was canceled. Internal documents suggested the cassette abbreviations VSC and VDC to be used, respectively, for the two developments.

Video 2000 and the videotape format war[link]

Philips released the first Video 2000 VCR, the VR2020, in the UK in 1979. Philips models were re-badged as Pye and even re-skinned as Bang & Olufsen, whilst Grundig models were re-badged as ITT. Both marques were subsequently re-badged by numerous companies throughout Europe. Manufacturing of Video 2000 ceased in 1988 and Betamax some time after, both having lost the videotape format war to VHS.

The Philips VR2020 was the first mass-marketed model of the Video 2000 format sold in the UK.

V2000's failure may be partially attributable to its late entrance to market (slowed by problems in the development of the DTF system). Also, although it was technologically superior to the competition in several ways, it could not compete with VHS and Betamax's key advantages:

• VHS and Betamax already had established market share and ample prerecorded video libraries
• Betamax camcorders arrived at market first
• VHS and Betamax enjoyed worldwide distribution

A key intention of the V2000 format, particularly those sporting the DTF feature, was tape compatibility: A tape from any machine should play perfectly on any other machine. Unfortunately, when the first Philips machine - the VR2020 - reached the shops, it was discovered that its audio head was 2.5 mm out of position compared to that on Grundig's 2x4 VCR, which had already been on sale for a year. This meant that the sound would be out of sync with the picture, when played back on the other type of machine. Subsequent models from both manufacturers moved the audio head 1.25 mm to a common position, but compatibility issues remained for recordings made on the first generation of machines.^[3] Furthermore, the required close tolerances and fragility of the DTF system resulted in significant inter-machine compatibility issues which were never fully resolved.

By the latter half of the 1980s, Philips had already begun producing their own VHS-compatible VCRs.

References[link]

1. ^ "V2000 PALsite" accessed January 3, 2007, lists the VCC dimensions: 183 mm × 26 mm × 110 mm
2. ^ VHS_e.htm "VHS Community: VHS 1976" accessed January 3, 2007, lists the VHS cassette dimensions: 188 mm × 25 mm × 104 mm
3. ^ Dean, Richard. Home Video (Newnes Technical Books, 1982), page 18

External links[link]

• Mikey's Vintage VTR Page - Video 2000
• Video 2000 page at Total Rewind - The Virtual Museum of Vintage VCRs
• V2000 PALsite - Information about the V2000 video format
• youtube.com video-2000 vidoes
• planet.nl v2000 page
• beophile.com Video Flashback v2000 page
• New Scientist July, 5, 1979,page 25

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Natalia Lafourcade
Birth name	María Natalia Lafourcade Silva
Born	(1984-02-26) February 26, 1984 (age 28) Mexico City, Mexico
Origin
Genres	Rock, Pop, Latin
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sony-BMG
Associated acts	Natalia y La Forquetina
Website	lafourcade.com.mx
Notable instruments
Acoustic Guitar, Piano

Natalia Lafourcade (born Natalia Lafourcade Silva on 26 February 1984 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican pop-rock singer and songwriter. Her band's name is Natalia y La Forquetina.

Biography[link]

Since she was very young, Natalia had a great interest in music, partly because her parents were musicians (her father is the French-Chilean musician Gastón Lafourcade). At three years old she began to sing and at four, she realized that she wanted to be an artist.

She attended Instituto Anglo Español, a Catholic middle school. In her childhood and adolescence she studied painting, flute, theater, music, acting, piano, guitar, saxophone and singing. When she was 10, Natalia sang in a Mariachi group.

She lived many years in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico, where she studied music with her mother, imitating artists like Gloria Trevi and Garibaldi.

In 1998, Natalia was part of a girl trio called Twist. The group was unsuccessful and they split up the following year.

Soon after, she began preparing to be a solo artist. When she was 17, Loris Ceroni gave Natalia the opportunity to be in a pop/rock group under his guidance, but when she wasn't sure, he encouraged her to go solo.

Although Lafourcade didn't join the group, Loris Ceroni produced her first LP under the label of Sony Music. It was recorded in Italy and was cowritten with Aureo Baqueiro. Sabo Romo played in 2 songs. Natalia Lafourcade is a mix of pop, rock, bossa-nova and Latin rhythms. It features the songs "Busca Un Problema", "Elefantes", "Te Quiero Dar", "Mirame, Mirate", and her biggest hit, "En El 2000".

In 2003, she was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the Best New Artist category (she lost to David Bisbal) for her debut album. Also, she collaborated on the soundtrack of the Mexican movie Amar te duele and "Un Pato" for the movie Temporada de patos.

In 2011 Natalia Lafourcade was nominated and won, for her work with Carla Morrison's Mientras tu dormías album, the Best New Producer of the Year award in the fourth edition of the Indie-O Music Awards.

Natalia y La Forquetina era[link]

In 2005, she released Casa, her second album, but this time as Natalia y La Forquetina (the name of her band). Produced mostly by Café Tacuba's Emmanuel del Real, Casa presents a more mature, rock-oriented sound while retaining pop and bossa-nova influences on a few tracks, such as lead single "Ser Humano" (pop-rock) and its follow-up "Casa" (pop-bossa-nova). Aureo Baqueiro returned to produce the few tracks not produced by del Real.

In 2006, after a tour through Mexico and parts of the U.S., on June 2, Natalia announced that she will be leaving La Forquetina to once again work as a solo artist. Natalia y la Forquetina's final show was played on August 18, 2006 in San Luis Potosí. Following the group's break-up, Casa won the Latin Grammy for Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal in September.

Also in 2006, a documentary about the band was made, mostly showing the group on the road and their travels. The documentary was aired on MTV Tr3s in the fall of 2007.

In 2008 she played in Julieta Venegas' MTV Unplugged.

Natalia Lafourcade has also appeared on other songs with various other artists. These include Liquits' "Jardin", Kalimba's "Dia de Suerte", Control Machete's "El Apostador", and Reik's rendition of a Lafourcade song "Amarte Duele". Also she along with her former band have appeared on various compilation disks with previously unreleased tracks such as "Y Todo Para Que" on Intocable's X and on the Tin Tan tribute album, Viva Tin Tan, with the hit "Piel Canela". In 2011, she made a very clever and popular music video with Los Daniels called "Quisiera Saber."

Her last name is French and means "the forking" (of road).

After over a year that Natalia departed from La Forquetina, she recorded an instrumental album called The 4 Seasons of Love under Sony BMG label. She also wrote the Lyrics for "Tú y Yo" from Ximena Sariñana's self-titled album.

Discography[link]

Also, Natalia Lafourcade is the producer of the currently popular Mexican singer Carla Morrison.

References[link]

• Madrigal, Alex (March 25, 2009). "Encuentra su libertad Natalia Lafourcade experimenta nuevos ritmos en el estudio de grabación" (in Spanish). El Universal. http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/espectaculos/89026.html. Retrieved 28 December 2009. 

External links[link]

• Natalia Lafourcade on Myspace
• Natalia Lafourcade on Facebook
• Natalia Lafourcade's channel on YouTube
• Natalia Lafourcade on Twitter