JVC password protected Pro HD D-VHS format

 

The rare mostly unknown PRO HD variant of the short lived Digital VHS (D-VHS) format.

This variant uses a 25Mbps bit-rate along with 4:2:0 color chromatic sub sampling with optional password protected encryption. This three piece setup was released by JVC back in 2004 and consisted of three machines. The JVC DM-JV600U 720P/1080i HDTV encoder ($31,364.75.)

The JVC SR-VDA300U Pro HD Mastering recorder ($5,995) And the JVC SR-VD400U D-VHS PRO HD reader ($1,400.) This setup was only sold via contract directly by JVC to professional educational setups, medical imaging, as well as the Universal Studios and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film studios and WB TV broadcast station.

It uses easy to find inexpensive $11 D-VHS oxide videotapes available at local Circuit City, Good Guys, Sears, Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, Walgreens and Magnolia Hifi stores at the time. It creates five digit password encrypted Pro HD 25mbps video recordings only viewable after pressing the correct password on the remote.

The motion pictures that used this setup included: Barbershop, A Guy Thing, Agent Cody Banks, Legally Blonde 2, Sea biscuit and Pirates of the Caribbean.

This inexpensive protected high definition delivery system was not possible with the DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, Mii, D9 Digital-S, DigiBeta, Betacam SP or HDV DVCAM video recording systems available at the time.

I explain how this concept works and how it was used to mail protected film and TV show "dailies" and screeners to critics before the HD-DVD and Blu ray formats existed. This setup saved film and television studios thousands of dollars even after factoring in the setup's high cost.

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