The VTR was a joint project between Philips Digital Video Systems of Germany and Toshiba in Japan.

The tape deck module was designed and made by Philips in Weiterstadt, Germany (formerly Bosch Fernseh), and the digital processor module designed and made by Toshiba.

Since there is no data compression, after 20 tape copies of multi generations there is no noticeable loss of quality.

The data module could record and play back 2k DPX files at 6 frames per second over a HIPPI connection.

The high price of the video tape limited the use of the VTR.