IEC 61119-5-1993 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 61119-5-1993 — Digital audio tape cassette system (DAT) — Part 5: DAT for professional use. This international standard specifies mechanical, electrical and data-format characteristics of DAT cassettes and equipment intended for professional audio recording and reproduction to ensure full interchangeability between hardware and software implementations worldwide.

Abstract

IEC 61119-5:1993 defines the professional subclass of the DAT cassette system used for digital audio. It covers the recording method (helical scanning with automatic track finding), physical media (3.81 mm tape on flangeless hubs within a protective cassette), transport and track parameters, and audio encoding modes (mandatory 48 kHz mode plus optional 44.1 kHz and 32 kHz modes with 16‑bit linear quantization). The purpose is to guarantee mechanical/electrical compatibility and reliable interchange of tapes and equipment in professional environments.

General information

• Status: Published / active (base IEC publication).
• Publication date: 28 May 1993 (IEC edition 1.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.160.30 (Audio systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (1993).
• Number of pages: 35 (IEC published document).

Scope

This part of IEC 61119 applies specifically to professional use of the digital audio tape cassette (DAT) system for recording and/or reproducing digital audio signals. It specifies the mechanical dimensions and tolerances of cassettes, tape and hub arrangements, transport and scanning methods, electrical and data-format parameters, timing and subcode formats used in professional DAT applications, and conformity criteria required to ensure interchangeability across equipment and geographical regions.

Key topics and requirements

• System description: 3.81 mm magnetic tape on flangeless hubs inside a protective cassette with slider and lid.
• Recording method: Helical scanning with automatic track finding (ATF) to follow recorded tracks.
• Tape transport parameters: nominal tape speed 8.150 mm/s ±0.5%; number of tracks recorded per second defined (200/3).
• Audio encoding modes: three modes defined — 48 kHz (mandatory), 44.1 kHz (optional) and 32 kHz (optional).
• Quantization and channels: 16‑bit linear two’s‑complement samples; two audio channels (A and B — stereo usage maps to left/right); simultaneous sampling required.
• Timing and sampling accuracy: sampling frequency accuracy and timing tolerances (sampling accuracy typically within ±50 × 10⁻6).
• Subcode and professional packs: definitions for professional subcode packs (time/address packs, binary status packs) to support professional metadata and timecode functions.
• Interchangeability: mechanical and electrical characteristics required so tapes and equipment from different manufacturers remain compatible globally.

Typical use and users

Primary users are professional audio equipment manufacturers, broadcast and recording studios, location recordists, audio archivists and facilities that require reliable interchange of digital audio media and metadata. The standard is used to design and test DAT recorders, professional DAT cassettes, and ancillary equipment (interfaces, timecode/subcode readers and writers). National bodies have also adopted this IEC part into regional/national standards (EN/BS/DIN adoptions) for use in local markets.

Related standards

Related parts of the DAT family and referenced standards include IEC 61119‑1 (Part 1: Dimensions and characteristics), and various digital audio interface/timecode standards referenced for subcode/time formats. Many national and regional bodies adopted IEC 61119‑5 as EN 61119‑5 (mid‑1990s) and published equivalent national standards.

Keywords

DAT, Digital Audio Tape, professional DAT, helical scanning, 3.81 mm tape, 16‑bit PCM, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 32 kHz, automatic track finding (ATF), subcode, timecode, interchangeability, IEC 61119.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61119-5:1993 is Part 5 of the DAT cassette system standards, defining the requirements and characteristics for DAT use in professional audio applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers physical cassette and tape characteristics, tape transport and scanning (helical scanning with ATF), data and audio encoding modes (mandatory 48 kHz mode, optional 44.1/32 kHz modes), 16‑bit quantization, subcode/timecode formats for professional metadata, and the compatibility requirements needed for interchangeability.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, professional recording and broadcast studios, archival facilities, test laboratories and any organization needing guaranteed interchangeability of professional DAT media and devices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The IEC base publication dates from 1993 (edition 1.0). The document remains the authoritative IEC publication for Part 5 (as published in 1993) and was transposed into EN and various national standards in the mid‑1990s; check national catalogues for any later amendments or withdrawals applicable in specific jurisdictions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61119 is a multipart series covering the DAT cassette system; Part 1 addresses dimensions and characteristics (IEC 61119‑1:1992) and other parts address additional system details and subsets including this Part 5 for professional use.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: DAT, professional DAT, digital audio tape, helical scanning, 3.81 mm tape, 16‑bit PCM, 48 kHz, ATF, subcode/timecode, interchangeability.