This last year I wrote quite a bit on the different types of video cameras and the many different uses as well. Let's start this year off with introducing different types of formats of video cameras. We will start with the analog camera. 

• It all started back in 1954 with BCE, first tape storage for video, manufactured by Bing Crosby Entertainment from Ampex equipment. Does the name "Bing Crosby" sound familiar?
   
• Next was the Simplex in 1955 and was developed commercially by RCA and used to record several live broadcasts by NBC. Another well-known name.
   
• Followed by Quadruplex in 1955, it was developed formally by Ampex, and this became the recording standard for the next 20 years.
   
• Canada tried to join the race with Vera in 1955 with an experimental recording standard developed by the BBC, but was never used or sold commercially.
   
• U-matic was introduced in 1971, the initial tape used by Sony to record video.
   
• U-matic S in 1974, a small sized version of U-matic used for portable recorders.
   
• The good old Betamax was introduced in 1975 to be used on very old Sony and Sanyo camcorders and portables; obsolete by the mid/late-80s in the consumer market.
   
• In 1976 the VHS was compatible with VHS standard VCRs, although VHS camcorders are no longer made. VHS-C in1982 was originally designed for portable VCRs, this standard was later adapted for use in compact consumer camcorders; identical in quality to the VHS; cassettes play in standard VHS VCRs using an adapter. Still available in the low-end consumer market but it had a relatively short running time compared to other formats.
   
• Video8 was introduced in 1985. It was a small-format tape developed by Sony to combat VHS-C's compact palm-sized design; equivalent to VHS or Betamax in picture quality, but not compatible with all players or recorders.
   
• U-matic BVU came into the picture in 1982. Usually used in high-end consumer and professional equipment. The introduction of U-matic BVU spelled the end of 16mm film recordings. 
   
• The U-matic BVU-SP in 1985 was largely used in high-end consumer and professional equipment. The introduction of U-matic BVU spelled the end of 16mm film recordings. S-VHS came into view in 1987 mainly used in medium-end consumer equipment. 
   
• In 1987 the S-VHS-C: An upgrade to provide near-laserdisc quality, which is now limited to the low-end consumer market. As per VHS-C, relatively short running time compared to other formats.
   
• The Hi8 was introduced in 1988 and enhanced the quality of the Video8; roughly equivalent to Super VHS in picture quality.

Thank you for reading this edition of the video vault and we will look into digital format's in the next edition.

Call 1-800-574-0414 or visit www.flygare.com and set up your next legal video need or any other service you may have. At Flygare we have you covered.