8 mm video format

Video 8 in 1985 of some Japanese and American companies (especially Sony and Polaroid ) designed to replace the previously used 1/2-Zoll-Videokassetten VHS or Betamax as in portable applications.

The magnetic tape is 8mm wide and the cassette about the size of a Philips music cassette. The small size of the cassette Sony replied in a position similar to other companies with VHS -C to build compact -type video cameras. The tapes were initially run for 60 minutes at normal speed ( SP), and later extended bands were offered. Successor of video 8 was from 1989 Hi8 and Digital8 since 1999.

Method

This format was specifically designed to be as small as possible. One of the first cameras in 1985 Sony introduced to the market, was the CCD M8E ( photo right). This had an optical viewfinder and fit easily in one hand. Sony praised as the smallest camcorder in the world. To view the recording, however, you needed a separate player.

Parallel to the " smallest camcorder in the world " offered Sony also the model CCD V8AF (photo left) with autofocus, built-in black and white video viewfinder and playback option on. This was due to their dimensions and weight of about 2.3 kg with battery and cassette less handy.

In contrast to most former video formats Video 8 does not need synchronous and heads. The former have been replaced by a technology that was already in use in 2000 video. In separate heads could be waived by the consistent use of FM sound. Additionally, there was also the possibility to digitally record audio (PCM ) with some recorders. As with the VCR color signal to a frequency lower than the brightness signal ( "color under" ) is recorded. The sound was recorded in hi-fi quality and was superior to the sound of the VHS format.

Application

Initially there was also planned to bring movies in Video -8 format on the market. In the late 1980s there were several vendors, but the format could not prevail against the already long established VHS system with movies.

Especially popular was 8 video camcorders. Additionally, there was home video recorder in this format. These did not reach a significant market share in contrast to the portable devices.

• Videotape format