Production Glossary
U-matic
The U-matic is an analog video cassette format created by Sony in 1969, and available to consumers by 1971. Named for the “U” shaped path the tape followed around the head drum, the U-matic was one of the inaugural formats that held the videotape inside of a cassette. A feature that made U-matic different than the competing formats was the opposing directions of the take-up and supply reels during rewind, playback, and fast-forwarding. Until the cassette is placed inside of a VCR, a unique locking feature insures that the tape remains tightly wound around the hubs. Once inserted into the player, the mechanism unlocks, allowing the hubs to spin. Another feature of the U-matic is its guard against accidental recording. A plastic, red button sits inside of a hole at the bottom of the tape. If removed, the option to record is unavailable.Once a standard in television production, the many problems that the format encountered (specifically with head drums and color reproduction) caused most professionals and consumers to switch to the newer VHS and Betamax formats. However, U-matic can still be seen around some production studios.
