W-VHS VCRs can record a high-definition video signal (stored internally as an 1125-line signal similar to Hi-Vision) via the analog
Y/Pb/Pr component interface, a standard-definition signal (
525-line), or two simultaneous standard-definition signals, for 3D video. The recording medium of W-VHS is a -inch double-coated
metal particle tape stored in a cartridge similar to
VHS. Some W-VHS VCRs are capable of playing and recording VHS and
S-VHS media. Unlike normal VHS, which uses a single head to record video fields as a series of parallel standalone tracks, W-VHS uses a dual-head design to record each video field as two parallel tracks storing a
component video signal. The signal is recorded using a method called "time compression integration" in which the
luminance signal is divided into two sets of lines, which are then split and recorded across both tracks. After the luminance signals are recorded, the two
color signals are recorded, one on each track, in a time-compressed form. Recording these signals sequentially rather than side by side prevents crosstalk between the luma and chroma components. Because the video signals are recorded in component form instead of e.g. the "color-under" method used by
S-VHS,
standard-definition image quality for W-VHS is typically much higher, due to the lack of noise caused by a chroma
sub-carrier. Audio is stored as a digital
PCM stream. W-VHS decks could have up to 12 heads in the head drum, of which 11 were active and one was a dummy used for balancing the head drum. == Use ==