Why use signal path assessment tapes?
Using professionally produced signal path assessment tapes gives you a known-good signal source you can trust. Therefore, it becomes much easier to verify signal integrity directly from the playback VTR and throughout the entire signal chain. That’s exactly where our 1-inch C-format reference tape comes in: it helps you identify faults, confirm equipment performance, and maintain consistent results during your transfer process.
Moreover, these reference tapes are not just helpful — they are essential tools for archival technicians and engineers. Whether you’re working with PAL or NTSC systems, standard definition, or up-converted HD workflows, having a reliable test tape on hand ensures your team can:
- Detect issues early
- Calibrate equipment accurately
- Maintain signal quality throughout production or digitization
In addition, by working from a known-good source, you can quickly trace issues – such as chroma shifts, sync loss, or distorted audio – back to their origin. This enables your team to troubleshoot efficiently and ask the right diagnostic questions: Is the playback machine malfunctioning? Is the tape itself damaged, or is the artefact copied into the recorded program? Could the A/D converter or ingest system be introducing an error?
Ultimately, early detection and informed troubleshooting prevent these problems from compromising your entire transfer workflow.
Professionally produced signal path assessment tapes on calibrated VTRs
Each tape is recorded using calibrated, broadcast-quality VTRs such as the AMPEX VPR-3, SONY BVH-2000/P, or SONY BVH-3100/P. As a result, the recordings maintain a high level of signal accuracy and format compliance. Importantly, we never recycle content from old or degraded tapes. Instead, every test signal is electronically generated and recorded onto virgin NOS tape stock.
Furthermore, using a recently recorded professional reference tape eliminates the common risks associated with older, reused test tapes – such as dropout, distortion, and unknown signal history. Consequently, you gain greater confidence in your diagnostic process and avoid introducing faults from questionable sources.
What’s included on the test tape?
Our test tapes combine live-action content with a precise set of test signals for comprehensive diagnostics.
Video Test Patterns:
- 100% Flat field – for dropout detection and head alignment
- 5-Step and 10-Step Staircase – to verify video linearity
- Multi-Burst signal – to assess frequency response
- SMPTE or EBU Colour Bars – for color calibration
- Grey Field – to expose noise in the signal chain
- Geometric and Sharpness grids – for image alignment
- Copyright-free Live action – for real-world playback simulation
Audio Test tones:
- Frequency tones at 125 Hz, 1 kHz, 3 kHz, and 10 kHz
- +4 dBu 1 kHz reference tone with 75% color bars
- Support for up to 4 analog channels (depending on machine capability)
What can you test with signal path assessment tapes?
Our 1-inch reference tapes lets you examine:
- Luminance, black, and chroma levels
- Chroma phase and color space
- Field order and temporal alignment
- Audio levels, azimuth, and stereo mapping
- Timecode accuracy and stability
- Overall system clarity and consistency
In conclusion, with this test tape, your team can quickly diagnose problems and validate performance – without relying on outdated or unreliable media.
