Videotapes were developed as an alternative to movie film. They work by recording images and sound on to magnetic tape. Video tapes are consideder a linear method of storing information and because these days everything is becoming digital, video tapes have gradually lost their significance.
On November 11, 1951, Bing Crosby Enterprises introduced the world’s first demonstration of a videotape recording. It produced “blurred and indistinct” images using an Ampex 200 tape recorder and standard quarter-inch audio tape moving at 360 inches per second. A year later, they released an improved version of one-inch tape that was much higher quality but was still grainy and looked like a worn out motion-picture. In February of 1955 they released a color version.
The first practical professional videortape, called the Quadruplex, was introduced by Ampex on April 14, 1956. The first widespread video cassette, called the composite U-matic system, was created by Sony in 1969. Sony then developed the 1/2″ Betacam family tape in 1982, which is still used today.
Next came the digital revolution. Sony’s D-1 tapes where among the first uncompressed digital recordings. These tapes were very expensive so the D-2 and D-3 tapes were intorduced soon after the D-1 tapes. Panasonic outdid the D-1 with its D-5 format, which was uncompressed, but a much more affordable video recording option.
In 1996, editable DV videos were introduced, in the form of Sony’s DVCAM and Panasonic’s DVCPRO tapes. These tapes had a lack of copy protection and therefore MiniDV cassettes later become the most common type, and DV’s were used mainly for professional video.
In 1997, Sony introduced its HD Betacam tapes called HDCAM for storing high-resolution video information.
In 1971, the first consumer videocasette recorders were launched, but it wasn’t until JVC’s VHS that videotapes were introduced to the mass market. Videocassettes finally made it possible for consumers to buy or rent a complete film and watch it at home at any time they wished, instead of having to go to a movie theatre at a specific time, or having to wait until it was played on TV. It also created the possible for a VCR owner to record films and other television programs “off the air”.
Eventually, video tapes began to be replaced by the DVD in the late 1990’s. DVD disks are more durable for repeated viewings than the VHS and also can not be erased by contact with a magnetic field like VHS.
These days, with the creation of digital camcorders with built in hard drives or flash memory, videotape camcorders have almost been completely removed from the North American market.
The technology of videotapes progressed at a very rapid pace. People began transfering their tapes to digital years ago, but now it’s more important than ever to preserve your video recorded memories, as they are becoming more and more obsolete. Don’t make the mistake of losing your precious footage, and check out our high-quality video-to-digital transfer services today!
It’s always hard finding that perfect present to give Dad for the Holidays. Instead of racking your brain and shopping a thousand stores, how about giving him a gift that’s sentimental and sure to stand out?
Photo Preservation: Your Dad will love sharing old photos together and knowing those memories are preserved forever. Deadline: December 10th
Holiday Slideshow: Surprise your Dad with a custom Holiday Slideshow this year. He’ll love reliving past memories together as a family Deadline: December 14th
