| Mini
DV tapes are the smallest of the video formats. They take
and maintain crystal clear images because of the nature of
a digital format. Editing enthusiasts benefit from Mini DV
as well, since copying between two units is done with no quality
loss. That means edited or copied video looks and sounds every
bit as good as the original footage.
Mini DV tapes are available in 30, 60,63 and
80 minute lengths. You can also have Mini DV tapes transferred
to VHS so you can watch them on a normal VHS VCR. Digital
camcorders have the highest resolution of all the camcorders,
starting at 500 lines.
DIGITAL8 is a format that is far superior
to HI-8 or 8MM. Sony was the first to introduce this format
and has done a great job. It is backwardly compatible, meaning
that the new Digital8 camcorders and VCR's will also play
your 8MM and HI-8 tapes. You do not have to buy special tapes
to record in Digital8.
A regular 8MM or HI-8 tape will record up
to 60 minutes of digital video and audio. Because of the design,
using regular tapes is not a problem, but it uses twice as
much tape. A 2 hour HI-8 or 8MM tape will record 60 minutes
when done in the Digital mode and records up to 500 lines
of resolution.
HI-8 camcorders record their signal at about
400 lines of resolution, slightly less than Mini DV, but substantially
higher than 8mm or regular VHS formats. Most often, HI-8 camcorders
record sound in hi-fi stereo. Slight quality loss is suffered
when copying or editing from HI-8, but a better than average
image is maintained.
Tapes from HI-8 camcorders generally must
be played using the camera as the source, which means the
user often must connect cables to their television or VCR.
HI-8 tapes can be bought in 30, 60, and 120-minute lengths.
8MM camcorders often have many of the best
features found in higher priced HI-8 units, including image
stabilization, strong optical and digital zooms and innovative
special effects. Regular 8mm tapes are the exact size and
shape as their HI8 counterparts, but record video at a lower
resolution level, and therefore, are less expensive than camcorders
which product better image quality. 8mm can record for up
to 2 hours and has a resolution of 270 lines.
HI-8 and regular 8MM tapes cannot be put into
a standard VHS video recorder, a common misconception. There
are no adapters to achieve this. They must be transferred
to VHS in order to be viewed on a regular VCR.
VHSC and full size VHS record at a slightly
lower resolution than 8MM. A standard T-120 VHS tape has a
recording time of 2 hrs, and the resolution is 250 lines.
Their appeal, or course, is the convenience of easy playback.
The large VHS camcorders are almost a thing of the past at
this point.
There are still a few models available, but
their substantial size and weight make them a difficult sell
against smaller camcorders. VHS/C compact models, on the other
hand, remain a popular choice, offering many of the same key
features as 8MM camcorders, at an equally affordable price.
Super VHS, a full-size format with resolution
similar to that of HI-8, is virtually out of the consumer
camcorder market. The format still is a strong player in the
industrial market, but its future may be bleak with the release
of newer and better digital formats. This format is used for
videographers mostly for shooting and editing.
The S stands for super, as the resolution
jumps from the VHS standard of 250 lines to around 400 lines.
Unfortunately, most VCR's will not play a super VHS tape and
has to be transferred to a regular VHS format in order for
it to be viewed on non-S-VHS machines.
Camcorder users who prefer to insert their
video tapes directly into their VCR may want to consider using
the VHS/C compact format. VHS/C is regular VHS video tape
wound into a smaller cartridge.
Since the cartridge is smaller, the length
of VHS/C tape is limited to a maximum of 45 minutes - though
longer times can be achieved using a long play mode, the quality
usually is poor compared to the faster (sp) speed. The compact
tapes are inserted into your VCR using a cassette adapter
which comes with each VHS/C camera. Once inserted, the tape
plays just like any other VHS tape you’ve ever used.
Betamax tapes were a format originally introduced
by Sony in the 80's. It was thought to be a better format
at the time. However, the Beta vs VHS wars took place and
VHS was the victor. There are still a few Beta fans out there
though and you can still get a Betamax machine if you look
around.
U-matic also known as 3/4" video tape.
The format was introduced in 1971 but it is still used by
some videographers who have been using the format for a long
time. It can produce good quality video and 3/4" decks
are still commonly available in duplicating houses.
However, there is little reason for somebody
to persue this format given the technical advantages of some
of the other more recent formats. UMatic has been used by
professionals the world round and found mostly in studios.
The format is slowly being replaced with digital equipment
such as DV and Mini DV.
BetaCam was first introduced in 1982. It is
currently geared for broadcast use, although there have been
some less expensive models destined more for industrial use.
Pictures you will get using a BetaCam system (or other component
format) will generally be markedly superior to those you would
get using any of the preceding formats.
Colors in particular come out looking much
more vibrant and objects appear three-dimensional. The superiority
of BetaCam shots comes partly from the technical aspects of
the tape format but also in large part because of the use
of superior optics and other camcorder and VTR components
(and generally better operators!).
The difference between BetaCam and BetaCam
SP, introduced in 1986, is in the tape. BetaCam SP uses a
metal tape and is an improvement over BetaCam.
BetaCam cassettes are large. Ninety minute
cassettes measures 5.5 by 10 inches (14 by 25 cm). Typically
BetaCam field units (camcorders or dockable decks) handle
only smaller cassettes with shorter lengths of tape (30 minutes
and less). These smaller cassettes are 4 by 6 inches (10 by
16 cm) in size.
BetaCam SP is still the de facto standard
for professional broadcast videotaping, partly because of
the large number of units out in the professional videotape
community. Some authors assume that over 90% of all professional
videotaping is done using Betacam and Betacam SP.
MII introduced in 1986, is Panasonic's answer
to BetaCam SP. All MII tape is metal. The 90 minute cassette
at 4 by 8 inches (11 by 19 cm) is considerably smaller than
the 90 minute BetaCam SP cassette. However the dockable decks
take only a small 20 minute cassette (3.6 by 5 inches - 9
by 13 cm).
Technically, MII is equal to or superior to
Betacam SP. Panasonic MII field equipment includes several
small dockable decks usable with a variety of camera heads
and some excellent portable decks.
Be aware if you get into MII that at some
point repairs may become an issue and that few duplicating
facilities or clients are likely to have MII. Therefore you
will probably have to copy your MII programs to another format
at some stage.
What
is Videotape ? | Audio
& Video Tape Preservation |
Video
Tape Conversion to NTSC or PAL or SECAM | Save
a Videocassette |
How
to Get a Digital Video Recorder | How
to Buy a VCR | How
to Videotape Sports Action |
Transfer
Audio From a Videotape to a Computer | Transfer
Audio From a Videotape to a Cassette |
Transfer
Video Onto the Computer | How
to Program a VCR | Video
Tape Formats |
Video
Tape Time Comparisons | Tape
& VCR Tips | Camcorder
& Recording Techniques
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