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+
|
-
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Summary
|
|
Analogue
|
Cheaper
than digital
|
Generation
loss
Not to be recommended for editing on the computer or creating
streaming video for the Internet
|
A dying technology. If you
shoot only for personal use, you will be able to pick up a good
bargain. |
|
VHS
|
The most widespread video
format at present - most people who have a possibility of
playing back VHS.
Very cheap tape, long running.
No need for specialized
equipment for playing back.
Most VHS Camcorders are
shoulder mounted, therefore giving more stable handheld pictures.
|
Unsuitable
for editing, due to rapid picture degradation ("generation
loss", each copy of the video becomes more blurred). |
A great medium
to shoot on if all you want to film is home style video,and
you have no plan of editing or making copies. |
|
VHS-C
A small VHS tape
|
The smaller
tapes allow for more compact camcorders.
No need for specialized
equipment for playing back, just get a mechanical converter
and you can view your footage on any VHS tape player.
|
Higher tape costs and shorter
running times than VHS at the same quality.
Unsuitable for editing,
due to rapid picture degradation.
|
A great medium
to shoot on if all you want to film is home style video,and
you have no plan of editing or making copies. |
|
S-VHS
Short for Super VHS. Widely
used prosumer format in the 1990's
|
Improved picture quality
over standard VHS.
Cheap tape, long running
times of up to 4 hours.
Most S-VHS Camcorders are
shoulder mounted, giving more stable pictures in handheld
situations..
Also allows to record on
standard VHS tapes (at VHS quality)
|
Tape stock
not so widely available |
Suitable for editing, with
only few copies made from the master.
Used to be the medium of
choice for more serious, semi-professional and industrial
appliances. You might be able to pick up a cheap 2nd hand
deal. Otherwise I would recommend you to buy a digital format.
Examples are the Panavision
NV-MS4 and NV-MS5
|
|
S-VHS-C
A small S-VHS tape
|
The smaller
tapes allow for more compact camcorders at the same picture
quality as the full size format. |
Higher tape
costs and shorter running times than S-VHS at the same quality. |
Better than
VHS-C |
|
Video 8
Widespread consumer format
of the 1990's
|
Small tape
size |
Relatively high tape costs
Short running times
Unsuitable for editing,
due to rapid picture degradation
|
Outdated |
|
Hi 8
Improved version of Video 8
|
Improved picture quality
from Video 8
Slightly higher resolution
than S-VHS
small tape size
digital sound
|
Relatively high tape costs
Short running times
Suitable for editing, with
only few copies made from the master.
|
You might be
able to pick up a cheap 2nd hand deal. Otherwise I would recommend
you to buy a digital format camcorder. |
| All opinions expressed
are personal and should be taken as such. © Martin Weiss
2001 |
