How to Identify Your Old Video Tapes

VHS

VHS (Video Home System)

• Large cassette tape

• Most common home video format

• Used in VCRs and full-size camcorders

• Popular from the early 1980s through the mid-2000s

VHS-C

VHS-C (Compact VHS)

• Smaller version of VHS

• Will have VHSC or VHS-C stamped in the plastic - See lower left hand corner of image

• Used in compact camcorders

• Can be played in a VHS VCR using an adapter

• Popular from the late 1980s through early 2000s

Video 8

Video8 (8mm Tape)

• Small cassette tape

• Will simply say Video 8 or 8mm on the tape

• Used in camcorders in the late 1980s and early 1990s

• Analog video format

Hi8 / Digital8

Hi8 and Digital 8 used very specific designations on the Tape itself to determine what recording or playback device could use it.

Hi8 Tape

• Same size as Video8

• Will have Hi8 written on it.

• Higher quality version of 8mm

• Popular in the 1990s

Digital8 Tape

• Same size as Hi8 and Video8

• Will say Digital8

• Records digital video signal instead of analog

• Popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s

MiniDV

MiniDV Tape

• Small rectangular cassette

• Digital video format

• Very common in camcorders from the late 1990s through the 2000s

MicroMV

MicroMV Tape

• Very small cassette

• Sony camcorders only

• Early 2000s

U-Matic 3/4”

U-matic Tape (3/4 inch)

• Large professional video cassette

• Used by schools, TV stations, and businesses

• Popular from the 1970s through the 1990s

Betamax

Betamax

• Medium-sized cassette tape (smaller than VHS)

• Developed by Sony

• Competing format with VHS in the late 1970s and 1980s

• Less common than VHS but still found in some homes

Not Sure What You Have?

If you're not sure what type of tape you have, bring your tapes to SnapCache in Mason City and we can identify them for you and explain your options for converting them to digital.