So what makes V2000 different?

V2000 technology introduced some very high-tech features which were years ahead of other formats. Indeed it was years before the other format adopted the best of them. V2000 also offered unique features and a design philosophy which was uniquely European.

Here we show some of the features which were pioneered on V2000 models. They are some of the reasons why the V2000 format should not be forgotten. Obviously not all features detailed here were available on all models. However, these days, many of these features are taken for granted.

A feature set ahead of it's time

Cassettes That Could
Be Turned Over!
VCC 		Philips modelled the Video Compact Cassette on its Audio Compact Cassette and like the later it was possible to record on both sides of V2000 tapes by simply turning them over in the VCR. The feature enabled a much longer maximum recording time to be implemented on the V2000 format, albeit with the need to turn over the tape half way through!
Dynamic Track Following This feature was an integral part of the V2000 format and as such was integral to all models. Dynamic track following was a unique and original system which eliminated the need for tracking control.

DTF had two components: The first was fact that the video head tips were mounted on piezo-electric elements which enabled them to move slightly when a potential difference was applied to the crystal. The second was a system of recording high frequency tones along with the video track information on the tape which could be used to steer the video heads during playback. By using a sophisticated electronic control system the video head tips were able to track correctly with out the need to a conventional control track hence eliminating the need of a tracking control.

This second technique was adopted by Sony in their Video-8 format. Servo circuit techniques had improved dramatically since V2000 was launched and Video-8 is able to track correctly without the need to the mount the heads on piezo-electric crystals.

The moving head tips meant that it was possible for V2000 to give perfect noise-free pictures in picture search and still modes since the video heads could be adjusted to follow the tracks on the cassette tape.

Direct Keyboard Entry Unlike on Japanese videos it was possible to directly enter time and date settings using a numeric keypad located on the front panel. This avoided the need to use tedious clock up/down buttons.
Numerical Tape Counter
and GOTO function
Right from the very first model, the V2020, Video 2000 VCR's had a digital read-out indicating tape position. To accompany this was a goto function which would cause the VCR to wind to a predetermined position on the tape once the required number had been entered using the numeric key-pad.

Another feature present right from the very start was an auto rewind function which could be turned on to instruct the tape to rewind after completion of timer record operations or it the end of tape was detected.

Automatic Timer
Record Mode 		Video 2000 VCR's were unique in not having a timer record button. Instead the Video would go into standby automatically if left unattended for a pre-set amount of time (about half an hour). If at a later time the VCR encounter a pre-programmed timer recording event it simply went into record automatically. There was no need to leave a V2000 VCR set in timer mode.
Dynamic Noise Suppression This was V2000 noise reduction system and was designed to reduce tape hiss. Unlike some other dynamic noise reduction systems it worked quite well giving V2000 good linear stereo sound.