Recording video in the 1950s

[ppppenguin]

Allegedly U-matic is why 44.1 KHz was chosen rather than any other frequency from 40 KHz to 50 kHz for digital audio sampling prior to 48/96/192.

I always though that 44.1kHz audio sampling was devised for CD. The lowest rate you could get away with for full quality audio. The claim for it being based on Umatic is repeated here, but without evidence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-matic

There were digital audio recorders based on both Umatic (PCM16xx) and Betamax (PCMF1). The idea was to dress up the digital audio to look like analogue video. Assuming the ADCs and DACs were good enough, the result was better than any analogue audio recorder. Editing wasn't easy though you you copy without generation loss.

PS: I've looked in "The art of digital audio" by Watkinson. He is usually a reliable source. He makes a fairly good case for 44.1kHz being due to the limitations of the PCM1600. Without finding original sources I'm not sure his argument fully stands up. 48kHz is a good fit for video, as has been demonstrated by its near-universal use in a broadcast environment.