HDCAM于1997年推出，是高画质版本的Digital Betacam，使用8比特DCT 3:1:1抽样压缩，在1440×1080下降采样1080i兼容的解像度，及在后期型号加入24p及23.976 PsF模式。HDCAM编解码器使用非正方形像素及在播放1440×1080录像内容时上升采样至1920×1080格式播放。录像比特率为144 Mbit/s，音频近乎一样，以4声道AES/EBU 20-bit/48 kHz数码音频收录。

如Betacam一样，HDCAM影带有小型及大型两款，外型如Betamax一样。

HDCAM, introduced in 1997, is a high-definition video digital recording videocassette version of digital Betacam, using an 8-bit discrete cosine transform (DCT) compressed 3:1:1 recording, in 1080i-compatible down-sampled resolution of 1440×1080, and adding 24p and 23.976 progressive segmented frame (PsF) modes to later models. The HDCAM codec uses rectangular pixels and as such the recorded 1440×1080 content is upsampled to 1920×1080 on playback. The recorded video bit rate is 144 Mbit/s. Audio is also similar, with four channels of AES3 20-bit, 48 kHz digital audio.