Hi8 (analogue)

Like S-VHS, Hi8 uses S-Video processing to produce better quality images in playback. HI8 offers resolutions as good as S-VHS and its small tapes are manageable cameras make it a convenient and popular format even today.

Hi8 recordings are made using Metal Evaporated tape coatings which produce much higher resolution recordings. As an analogue recording medium, Hi8 produces a significantly higher quality than, say, VHS and is on a par with S-VHS.

However, the main advantage of the format is its small size. The 90 minutes maximum recording time can be achieved with far less tape than, say, VHS. The smaller tape size has enabled the manufacturers to produce smaller-sized camcorders. Of the non-digital formats (eg: mini-DV, Digital8, DVC-Pro, DV-Cam), Hi8 is considered to be the better analogue format.

8mm / Hi8 is another step up from VHS and incorporates newer recording technologies and new developments in magnetic tape to create higher quality in a smaller cassette while handling the same recording time as VHS.