DVCAM is a Sony format used for high quality editing with low cost acquisition giving a quality image from DV compression on a professional digital 6mm format.
Standard & Master Format Tapes
Tapes come in two varieties, standard or master. Master tapes can be used for critical applications in addition to standard recording and editing; they have +2db higher output and improved durability over standard tapes even at four times high-speed transfer mode during editing. All Master tapes and some Standard Tapes have built-in 16 kilobit (198 image indexes) memory chip which communicates with the camera/camcorder's microprocessor, enabling indexing of recorded information saving time in post production.
High Density Metal Tape
The tape itself is an advanced metal evaporative tape and the master variety has a pure cobalt evaporated coating for packing at high-density. The cassettes are available in two sizes; small for use in palm camcorders and small edit decks and standard for use in on-shoulder Camcorders and edit machines.