EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011

Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part 4: Pack header table and contents

Specifies the pack headers and the contents of packs which are applicable to the whole recording system of helical-scan digital video cassette using 6,35 mm magnetic tape.

Aufzeichnung - Videokassettensystem mit digitaler Schrägspuraufzeichnung auf Magnetband 6,35 mm für den Heimgebrauch (Systeme 525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 und 1250-50) - Teil 4: Datenpakete - Übersicht und Inhalt

Enregistrement - Système d'enregistrement numérique grand public vidéo à cassette à balayage hélicoïdal pour la bande magnétique de 6,35 mm (systèmes 525-60,625-5O,1125-60 et 1250-50 - Partie 4: Tableaux des paquets en-tête et leur contenu

Snemanje - Digitalni videokasetni snemalni sistem z zapisovanjem s poševnimi sledmi na magnetni trak s širino 6,35 mm za potrošniško uporabo (sistemi 525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 in 1250-50) - 4. del: Tabela in vsebina glave paketa (IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)

Določa glave paketov in vsebino paketov, ki se uporabljajo za celoten snemalni sistem z zapisovanjem s poševnimi sledmi na magnetni trak s širino 6,35 mm digitalne videokasete.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Feb-2011
• Withdrawal Date: 01-Jan-2014
• ICS: 33.160.01 - Audio, video and audiovisual systems in general
• ICS: 35.200 - Interface and interconnection equipment
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 100X - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment and related sub-systems
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 100 - IEC_TC_100
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 100 - IEC_TC_100
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 25-Feb-2011
• Completion Date: 25-Feb-2011
• Ref Project: SIST EN 61834-4:1999/A1:2011 - Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part 4: Pack header table and contents (IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)

Relations

• Refers: EN 61834-11:2008 - Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part 11: HDV format for 1080i and 720p systems
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Refers: EN 61834-2:1998 - Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part 2: SD format for 525-60 and 625-50 systems
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Amends: EN 61834-4:1998 - Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part 4: Pack header table and contents
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011 is a European standard issued by CENELEC (CLC) that specifies the pack header table and contents for helical-scan digital video cassette recording systems using 6.35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use. This amendment (A1:2011) updates Part 4 of the EN 61834 series, ensuring consistent recording and playback of digital video across systems for various television formats, including 525-60, 625-50, 1125-60, and 1250-50. The standard is aligned with international IEC 61834 specifications.

This document is essential for manufacturers, developers, and professionals involved in the design, production, or maintenance of consumer digital video cassette recorders and related systems. The focus on pack header structure and content provides a clear foundation for handling various video formats and data types.

Key Topics

• Pack Header Table: Defines the structure and meaning of pack headers within the recorded data stream on digital video cassette systems.
• Data Pack Structure: Describes the types and functions of specific data packs, including MPEG source, source control, time stamp, stream details, text headers, and service event markers (start/end).
• Format Compatibility: Supports multiple international video standards (525-60 NTSC, 625-50 PAL, 1125, 1250).
• Service Information Handling: Provides mechanisms for capturing and referencing service IDs, time codes, audio and video modes, and auxiliary information following the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) guidelines.
• Normative References: Ensures compatibility and interface integrity by referencing related standards such as IEC 61834 parts 2 and 11 and ETS 300 468 for DVB SI.

Applications

The EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011 standard has significant practical value for various consumer electronics and broadcast industry segments, including:

• Consumer Digital Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs): Allows for interoperable recording and playback across devices that use the 6.35 mm digital tape format, ensuring data integrity and consistent metadata handling.
• Video Production and Editing: Assures that essential metadata such as time codes, recording origin, and service information are maintained, crucial for editing, archiving, or broadcasting.
• Broadcast Equipment Manufacturing: Supports the creation and testing of devices for standards-compliant operation in international markets, enabling seamless handling of multiple television system formats.
• Media Archiving and Restoration: Facilitates accurate identification and management of cassette content for libraries, broadcasters, and archival specialists.
• Cross-Platform Data Retrieval: Ensures that essential information needed for playback, content management, or automated broadcast workflows is readily available in a structured format.

Related Standards

For comprehensive digital video cassette recording system implementation, familiarity with the following related standards is beneficial:

• IEC 61834-2:1998 / EN 61834-2:1998
  Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6.35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use - Part 2: SD format for 525-60 and 625-50 systems

• IEC 61834-11:2008 / EN 61834-11:2008
  Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6.35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use - Part 11: HDV format for 1080i and 720p systems

• ETS 300 468
  Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) - Specification for Service Information (SI) in DVB systems

• Other IEC 61834 series documents
  Covering additional aspects of the helical-scan digital video cassette recording system, such as physical tape specifications, error correction, and signal processing.

EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011 is central for organizations seeking robust, standardized approaches to storing, managing, and retrieving digital video on tape in consumer and professional environments, ensuring compatibility, data accuracy, and best practices in digital video recording technology.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2011
Snemanje - Digitalni videokasetni snemalni sistem z zapisovanjem s poševnimi
sledmi na magnetni trak s širino 6,35 mm za potrošniško uporabo (sistemi 525-60,
625-50, 1125-60 in 1250-50) - 4. del: Tabela in vsebina glave paketa (IEC 61834-
4:1998/A1:2010)
Recording - Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm
magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) - Part
4: Pack header table and contents (IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
Aufzeichnung - Videokassettensystem mit digitaler Schrägspuraufzeichnung auf
Magnetband 6,35 mm für den Heimgebrauch (Systeme 525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 und
1250-50) - Teil 4: Datenpakete - Übersicht und Inhalt (IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
Enregistrement - Système d'enregistrement numérique grand public vidéo à cassette à
balayage hélicoïdal pour la bande magnétique de 6,35 mm (systèmes 525-60,625-
50,1125-60 et 1250-50 - Partie 4: Tableaux des paquets en-tête et leur contenu (CEI
61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 61834-4/A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
February 2011
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 33.160.01; 35.200
English version
Recording -
Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm
magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50
systems) -
Part 4: Pack header table and contents
(IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
Enregistrement -  Aufzeichnung -
Système d'enregistrement numérique Videokassettensystem mit digitaler
grand public vidéo à cassette à balayage Schrägspuraufzeichnung auf Magnetband
hélicoïdal pour la bande magnétique de 6,35 mm für den Heimgebrauch (Systeme
6,35 mm (systèmes 525-60,625-5O,1125- 525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 und 1250-50) -
60 et 1250-50 - Teil 4: Datenpakete -
Partie 4: Tableaux des paquets en-tête et Übersicht und Inhalt
leur contenu (IEC 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
(CEI 61834-4:1998/A1:2010)
This amendment A1 modifies the European Standard EN 61834-4:1998; it was approved by CENELEC on
2011-01-02. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this amendment the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This amendment exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2011 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011 E

Foreword
The text of amendment 1:2010 to the International Standard IEC 61834-4:1998, prepared by technical
area 7, Consumer electronics storage and related applications, of IEC TC 100, Audio, video and
multimedia systems and equipment, was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as
amendment A1 to EN 61834-4:1998 on 2011-01-02 without any modification.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the amendment has to be
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2011-10-02
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the amendment have to be withdrawn (dow) 2014-01-02
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of amendment 1:2010 to the International Standard IEC 61834-4:1998 was approved by
CENELEC as an amendment to the European Standard without any modification.
__________
- 3 - EN 61834-4:1998/A1:2011
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Insert, before IEC 61880, the following new references:

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 61834-2 1998 Recording - Helical-scan digital video EN 61834-2 1998
cassette recording system using 6,35 mm
magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60,
625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) -
Part 2: SD format for 525-60 and 625-50
systems
IEC 61834-11 2008 Recording - Helical-scan digital video EN 61834-11 2008
cassette recording system using 6,35 mm
magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60,
625-50, 1125-60 and 1125-50 systems) -
Part 11: HDV format for 1080i and 720p
systems
ETS 300 468 - Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); - -
Specification for Service Information (SI) in
DVB systems
IEC 61834-4 ®
Edition 1.0 2010-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
AMENDMENT 1
AMENDEMENT 1
Recording –
Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using 6,35 mm magnetic
tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) –
Part 4: Pack header table and contents

Enregistrement –
Système d’enregistrement numérique grand public vidéo à cassette à balayage
hélicoïdal pour la bande magnétique de 6,35 mm (systèmes 525-60, 625-50,
1125-60 et 1250-50) –
Partie 4: Tableaux des paquets en-tête et leur contenu

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
S
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.160.01, 35.200 ISBN 978-2-88910-919-7
– 2 – 61834-4 Amend. 1 © IEC:2010
FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by technical area 7: Consumer electronics storage media,
data structures and equipment, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and multimedia
systems and equipment.
The text of this amendment is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
100/1552/CDV 100/1628/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the report
on voting indicated in the above table.
The French version of this Amendment has not been voted upon.
The committee has decided that the contents of this amendment and the base publication will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under
"http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the
publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
_____________
1.2 Normative references
Insert, before IEC 61880, the following new references:
IEC 61834-2:1998, Recording – Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using
6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) –
Part 2: SD format for 525-60 and 625-50 systems
IEC 61834-11:2008, Recording – Helical-scan digital video cassette recording system using
6,35 mm magnetic tape for consumer use (525-60, 625-50, 1125-60 and 1250-50 systems) –
Part 11: HDV format for 1080i and 720p systems
ETS 300 468, Specification for Service Information (SI) in DVB systems

61834-4 Amend. 1 © IEC:2010 – 3 –
2 Pack header table
Replace the entire Table 1 by the following new Table 1:
Table 1 – Pack header table
– 4 – 61834-4 Amend. 1 © IEC:2010
Add, after Subclause 12.16, the following new Clause 13:
13 MPEG
MPEG 0
13.1 SOURCE
This pack shall be recorded at least in the VAUX main area.
SERVICE ID
In the case of single programme recording, SERVICE ID is the same as the
program_number in the corresponding program_map_section (PMT).
SOURCE CODE
SOURCE CODE defines the input source of bit stream data in combination with SERVICE
ID and TUNER CATEGORY, as follows.

TUNER CATEGORY
Prescribed value
50/60
0 = 60-field system
1 = 50-field system
61834-4 Amend. 1 © IEC:2010 – 5 –
STYPE
STYPE defines a signal type of input signal in combination with the 50/60 flag as follows.

TUNER CATEGORY:
TUNER CATEGORY consists of the area number and the satellite number as follows.
TUNER CATEGORY = FFh is indicative of no information.

Area number specification
...