SIST EN 61041-4:1999
(Main)Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Specifies the general requirements for the calibration tape which is used for measurement of signal characteristics of the playback systems of non-broadcast video tape recorders (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Appliles particularly to the measurement items which require complex test signals unavailable from a general purpose test signal generator.
Videobandgeräte für den Gebrauch außerhalb des Rundfunks - Meßverfahren -- Teil 4: Bezugsband (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Magnétoscopes hors radiodiffusion - Méthodes de mesure -- Partie 4: Bande étalon (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Spécifie les exigences générales pour les bandes étalons qui sont utilisées pour la mesure des caractéristiques de signaux en lecture, des magnétoscopes hors radiodiffusion (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). S'applique en particulier aux procédés de mesure qui nécessitent des signaux d'essai non disponibles avec un générateur d'usage général de signaux d'essai.
Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) (IEC 61041-4:1997)
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-1999
- Technical Committee
- AVM - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Apr-1999
- Due Date
- 01-Apr-1999
- Completion Date
- 01-Apr-1999
Relations
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
Overview
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 is an international standard that specifies the general requirements and methods for creating and using calibration tapes for non-broadcast video tape recorders (VTRs) across the NTSC, PAL, and SECAM television systems. Developed under the framework of IEC 61041-4:1997, this standard is essential for ensuring consistent and reliable measurement of video and audio playback characteristics. Calibration tapes are particularly critical when specific complex test signals, which general-purpose signal generators cannot produce, are required for accurate performance evaluation.
By defining the characteristics and recording procedures for calibration tapes, SIST EN 61041-4:1999 supports interoperability, quality control, and performance verification of non-broadcast VTRs widely used in professional and industrial settings.
Key Topics
- Calibration Tape Requirements: Specifies the physical and signal characteristics required for tapes used in calibration of playback systems, including conforming to the recording format, proper marking, and signal compatibility.
- Test Signals: Details the complex video and audio test signals (including color bar and frequency-specific signals) that must be recorded on the calibration tape for NTSC, PAL, and SECAM VTRs.
- Signal Recording Procedures: Describes the processes for generating, adjusting, and recording video (luminance, chrominance) and audio (FM reference and peak levels, frequency response) signals for calibration purposes.
- Measurement Functions: Covers measurement items such as luminance signal level, dropout compensation, Y/C (luminance/chrominance) delay, video head switching position, and audio FM characteristics.
- Cassette Labelling: Outlines mandatory labeling for calibration tape cassettes, including TV system, format, signal details, recording date, and creator information.
- Normative References: Lists essential related standards (e.g., IEC 60094-2, IEC 61041 series) that provide background and complement the calibration requirements.
Applications
The SIST EN 61041-4:1999 standard is fundamental for:
- Equipment Manufacturers: Assisting VTR producers in quality assurance, development, and alignment of playback and recording systems, ensuring their products meet international benchmarks.
- Service and Maintenance: Supporting technical staff in calibrating and troubleshooting non-broadcast video tape recorders, ensuring that maintenance procedures are measurable and repeatable.
- Test Labs and Certification: Providing standardized measurement procedures for formal verification, certification, and comparison of different VTR models and formats.
- Archival and Media Transfer: Ensuring the fidelity of video and audio signals during transfer, duplication, or restoration work where accurate playback characteristics are crucial.
- Professional AV Integration: Enabling AV system integrators to select, install, and maintain VTRs with predictable and documented performance attributes.
By adhering to this standard, organizations guarantee accurate evaluation of playback performance and help maintain a high level of compatibility and reliability in non-broadcast video recording environments.
Related Standards
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 is part of a broader framework dedicated to non-broadcast video tape recorders. Related standards include:
- IEC 61041-1: General video (NTSC/PAL) and audio (longitudinal) characteristics
- IEC 61041-2: Video characteristics for chrominance SECAM systems
- IEC 61041-3: Audio characteristics for FM recording
- IEC 61054: Helical-scan video tape cassette systems using 12.65 mm tape (VHS) - FM audio recording
- IEC 60094-2: Calibration tapes for magnetic sound recording and reproducing systems
- ITU-R Recommendation 471-1: Nomenclature and description of colour bar signals
Adopting SIST EN 61041-4:1999 within technical operations enhances measurement accuracy, facilitates cross-platform compatibility, and upholds internationally recognized best practices in the video recording industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)". This standard covers: Specifies the general requirements for the calibration tape which is used for measurement of signal characteristics of the playback systems of non-broadcast video tape recorders (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Appliles particularly to the measurement items which require complex test signals unavailable from a general purpose test signal generator.
Specifies the general requirements for the calibration tape which is used for measurement of signal characteristics of the playback systems of non-broadcast video tape recorders (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Appliles particularly to the measurement items which require complex test signals unavailable from a general purpose test signal generator.
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.160.40 - Video systems. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 61041-2:1999, SIST EN 60094-2:1999, SIST EN 61054:1999, SIST EN 61041-1:1999, SIST EN 61041-3:1999, SIST EN 50465:2015, SIST EN 60335-2-5:2015, SIST EN 62071-1:2007, SIST EN 62389:2006, SIST EN 60335-2-58:2005/A12:2016, SIST EN 60335-2-58:2005/A2:2016, SIST EN IEC 60335-2-75:2023. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 61041-4:1999 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-1999
Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4:
Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) (IEC 61041-4:1997)
Non-broadcast video tape recorders - Methods of measurement -- Part 4: Calibration
tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Videobandgeräte für den Gebrauch außerhalb des Rundfunks - Meßverfahren -- Teil 4:
Bezugsband (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Magnétoscopes hors radiodiffusion - Méthodes de mesure -- Partie 4: Bande étalon
(NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61041-4:1997
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
NORME
CEI
INTERNATIONALE
IEC
61041-4
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STANDARD
First edition
1997-05
Magnétoscopes hors radiodiffusion –
Méthodes de mesure –
Partie 4:
Bande étalon (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Non-broadcast video tape recorders –
Methods of measurement –
Part 4:
Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
IEC 1997 Droits de reproduction réservés Copyright - all rights reserved
Aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photo- including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in
copie et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'éditeur. writing from the publisher.
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Telefax: +41 22 919 0300 e-mail: inmail@iec.ch IEC web site http: //www.iec.ch
CODE PRIX
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
R
PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 3 –
CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION. 7
SECTION 1: GENERAL
Clause
1.1 Scope and object. 9
1.2 Normative references. 9
1.3 Definitions. 11
1.4 Requirements. 11
SECTION 2: SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SIGNALS TO BE RECORDED
ON THE CALIBRATION TAPE
2.1 Luminance signal level. 13
2.2 Dropout compensation characteristics. 13
2.3 Y/C delay. 17
2.4 Switching position. 17
2.5 Audio FM reference recording level . 19
2.6 Audio FM peak recording level. 21
2.7 Audio FM frequency response . 23
Figures
1 Block diagram for luminance level preparation . 27
2 Block diagram for the dropout generator. 27
3 Block diagram for dropout level adjustment. 29
4 Dropout of 20 μs duration.29
5 Black marker in the dropout . 29
6 Dropout of 3 H duration. 31
7 Location of dropouts. 31
8 Block diagram for Y/C delay measurement. 33
9 Signal to be recorded . 33
10 Delay in the luminance signal recording. 33
11 Delay in the chrominance signal recording . 35
12 Block diagram for switching position adjustment . 35
13 Setting of the travelling microscope . 35
14 View on the magnetic coating side of the tape. 37
15 Block diagram for switching position measurement. 37
16 Switching position. 37
17 Block diagram for audio FM reference peak level recording. 39
18 Block diagram for audio FM frequency response signal recording . 39
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
__________
NON-BROADCAST VIDEO TAPE RECORDERS –
METHODS OF MEASUREMENT –
Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two
organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61041-4 has been prepared by subcommittee 60B: Video recording,
then by subcommittee 100B: Recording, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and
multimedia systems and equipment.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
100B/44/FDIS 100B/64/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
IEC 61041 consists of the following parts under the general title: Non-broadcast video tape
recorders – Methods of measurement:
Part 1: 1990, General video (NTSC/PAL) and audio (longitudinal) characteristics
Part 2: 1994, Video characteristics chrominance SECAM
Part 3: 1993, Audio characteristics for FM recording
Part 4: 1997, Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Part 5: 1997, High-band video tape recorders, including those equipped with Y/C video
connectors (NTSC/PAL)
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
This part of IEC 61041 has been prepared for the reasons given below.
Some of the measurement items for non-broadcast video tape recorders in IEC 61041 require
specific test signals which may not be available from a general purpose test signal generator.
In this case, a calibration tape can be made and used to supply the required test signals for
measurement.
The video tape recorders on the market today have very good record and playback
compatibility, provided that the level of the test signals and the frequencies of the carriers to be
recorded are set precisely within specifications. The calibration tape can therefore be made
using a non-broadcast video tape recorder of the relevant recording format by recording the
specified test signals.
This part of IEC 61041 specifies the video and audio test signals to be recorded on the calibration
tape which is used when measuring video and audio characteristics of non-broadcast video
tape recorders, in accordance with the measurement items prescribed in IEC 61041.
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 9 –
NON-BROADCAST VIDEO TAPE RECORDERS –
METHODS OF MEASUREMENT –
Part 4: Calibration tape (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
1 Section 1: General
1.1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61041 specifies the general requirements for the calibration tape which is used
for measurement of signal characteristics of the playback systems of non-broadcast video tape
recorders (NTSC/PAL/SECAM).
The calibration tape specified in this part of IEC 61041 applies particularly to the measurement
items prescribed in the relevant part of IEC 61041 which require complex test signals, which
are unavailable from a general purpose test signal generator.
The object of this part is to describe the methods of measurement for non-broadcast video
tape recorders.
This part of IEC 61041 describes also the procedures for generating the signals and for
recording the signals on the calibration tape.
1.2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this part of IEC 61041. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All normative documents are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based
on this part of IEC 61041 are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 60094-2: 1994, Magnetic tape sound recording and reproducing systems – Part 2:
Calibration tapes
IEC 61041-1: 1990, Non-broadcast video tape recorders – Methods of measurement – Part 1:
General video (NTSC/PAL) and audio (longitudinal) characteristics
IEC 61041-2: 1994, Non-broadcast video tape recorders – Methods of measurement – Part 2:
Video characteristics chrominance SECAM
IEC 61041-3: 1993, Non-broadcast video tape recorders – Methods of measurement – Part 3:
Audio characteristics for FM recording
IEC 61054: 1991, Helical-scan video tape cassette system using 12,65 mm (0,5 in) magnetic
tape on type VHS – FM audio recording
ITU-R Recommendation 471-1: 1990, Nomenclature and description of colour bar signals
EIA RS-189A: 1976, Encoded colour bar signal
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 11 –
1.3 Definitions
For the purpose of this part of IEC 61041, the following definitions apply:
1.3.1 calibration tape: Tape used to evaluate aspects of the performance of non-broadcast
video tape recorders. This tape contains video and FM audio signals appropriate to the video
tape recorder to be tested, taking into consideration the specified items in the audio system
test described in IEC 60094-2.
1.3.2 calibration tape recorder: Video tape recorder which is used to record the test signals
specified in this part of IEC 61041 for producing the calibration tape.
1.4 Requirements
1.4.1 Magnetic tape to be used
The video tape to be used shall conform to the recording format specifications of the
calibration tape recorder. It is preferable to use a subreference tape.
1.4.2
Video signal to be recorded
The video signal to be recorded shall conform to the standard TV signal specified for record
and playback of the calibration tape recorder.
1.4.3 Audio signal to be recorded
The audio signal to be recorded shall conform to the audio recording format specified for
record and playback of the calibration tape recorder.
1.4.4 Marking on the cassette
The cassette shall be labelled with the following information:
– TV system;
– applicable recording format;
– details of signals;
– date/month/year when the tape was recorded;
– name of the person or the company who made the recording;
– others.
61041-4 © IEC:1997 – 13 –
2 Section 2: Specifications of the signals to be recorded on the calibration tape
2.1 Luminance signal level
This subclause specified the luminance signals to be recorded on the calibration tape with
specified sync-tip frequency, peak white frequency, and frequency deviation, so that they
conform to the recording format.
2.1.1 Block diagram
Figure 1 shows the block diagram for generating the signal on this section of the calibration
tape.
2.1.2 Signal to be recorded
The video signal to be recorded on the calibration tape shall be a colour bar signal of ITU-R
Recommendation 471-1, type (b) or equivalent containing a 100 % (0,714 V and 0,700 V
p-p p-p
for PAL) white signal. The level of the sync signal shall be 40 % (0,286 V ) for NTSC or 43 %
p-p
(0,300 V ) for PAL/SECAM.
p-p
2.1.3 Procedures
a) Input the signal from a TV test signal generator to the calibration tape recorder.
b) Using a carrier checker (or a spectrum analyzer), observe the output from the frequency
modulator of the luminance signal. Then, adjust the sync-tip frequency, the peak white
frequency, and the frequency deviation as specified below.
With respect to the reference frequencies specified for the recording format of the calibration
tape recorder, the sync-tip frequency shall be within ±0,05 MHz, the peak white frequency shall
be within ±0,05 MHz, and the frequency deviation shall be within ±2 %.
NOTE – For precise measurement, use a carrier checker. Use of a spectrum analyzer for this measurement may
result in larger measurement errors.
It is advisable to check that the recording current for the chrominance signal meets the specification for the
respective format, prior to starting measurement.
2.2 Dropout compensation characteristics
This subclause specified the signal to be recorded on the calibration tape for measurement of
the dropout compensation characteristic of the luminance signal. With this method, in
accordance with the method described in 2.8.3 a) of IEC 61041-1, the dropout compensation
characteristic (DCC) can be measured simply by using a TV monitor.
2.2.1 Block diagram
Figures 2 and 3 show the block diagram of the dropout generator and the dropout level
adjustm
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