The Digitization of An Analog Nation

[Dayrron]

America consumers were introduced to the benefits of digital technology in the late 70s. First, by way of digital calculators and simple video games, then later via home computers. By the mid-80s, personal computers such as the Commodore Amiga, offered afforable computer generated graphics and editing machine control, birthing the term desktop video.

The evolution from analog to digital video first started with professional TV broadcasters and post production facilities in the late 80s. The D-1 and D-2 digital video tape recorders (VTRs) and tape formats set new standards for professional video editing and film-to-video mastering. When combined with the emerging non-linear editing systems (NLE) offered by companies like EMC and Avid, video producers and filmmakers were offered unparalled post productions options.

A few years later, Digital Betacam cameras and VTRs were introduced, bringing major advances in videography and kick starting digital cinematography. However, all of these sophisticated professional video tools came at a steep price. Fortunately by the mid-90s, consumer video equipment producers recognized the growing demand for digital equipment to replace VHS, Hi-8, and other analog video recording systems. Additionally, government mandates established a timetable that would make digital TV inevitable. But what exactly is all of the digital hoopla about and what makes it preferable to the analog technology of the past?

[DJ Judah]

Digital is great but sometime I miss the warmth and feel of analog. With digital everything is too clean and done for you. With analog you had to do something! (i.e. - rollup windows). You had to have a certain skill level. That meant to had to learn. There was a time when you were considered smart if you could get the time set on a VCR. Now the time is set automatically when the world clock. Digital put all of the smarts in the device. The population as a whole is getting dumber! Spell Check and Speed Dial have made us stop storing information in our minds