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Video Viewfinder
Keith Kyker and Christopher Curchy
Video Formats - What's the
Best Choice?
Summer is a time when most teachers and media specialists reflect on the passing of another school year, and see just how far they’ve come. At Video Viewfinder, we’re no different. This column begins our 7th year writing for Florida Media Quarterly. When looking for topics for a new column, sometimes it’s appropriate to peek at past efforts, and see what really needs updating. (Fortunately, you can read many of the previous Video Viewfinder columns on our web site, SCHOOLTV.com.)
One of our early columns, Video Viewfinder #2 in fact (not available online), dealt with selecting a camcorder for purchase. My, how that task is changed! In 1996 we compared the Sharp Slimcam to the Panasonic AG-456 – a full-sized VHS, and full-sized S-VHS. If you bought a camcorder after that column, chances are you’re ready for a new one.
Several other formats have appeared on the scene since then. When we discuss camcorder format, we’re basically describing the type of videotape that the camcorder uses. Formats currently available include: VHS, VHS-C, SVHS, SVHS-C, 8mm, Hi-8, Digital 8, and Mini-DV. Let’s look at each format.
VHS – VHS, the full-sized videocassette found in homes, supermarkets and video rental stores across America, first debuted around 1980, and hasn’t changed much since then. Blank tapes are cheap, and picture quality is average at best. Still, VHS remains popular because the format has saturated the marketplace, and teachers value the ability to make a videotape in a VHS camcorder, and instantly play that tape in their classroom VCR.
VHS-C – Regular VHS videotapes are comparatively large, and VHS camcorders can be bulky and cumbersome. The VHS-C format packs regular VHS tape into a smaller videocassette shell. An adapter is used to play a VHS-C videotape in a regular VHS VCR. The picture quality is average.
SVHS and SVHS-C – Super VHS (SVHS) was developed as a higher-quality video format, without totally reinventing the size and shape of a videocassette. SVHS tape is loaded in a VHS-sized shell. When SVHS videotape is used in an SVHS camcorder, and played back in an SVHS VCR, the resulting picture quality is very good. However, an SVHS-recorded program will not play in a standard VHS VCR, and blank SVHS videotape is comparatively expensive. (The SVHS-C format combines the SVHS videotape with the smaller videotape shell.)
8mm and Hi-8mm – These two formats were developed to compete with VHS and SVHS in the camcorder marketplace. 8mm and Hi-8mm videotapes are very small, used in camcorders that fit in the palm of the hand. 8mm quality is comparable to VHS, and Hi-8mm quality is comparable to S-VHS. Consumers never embraced compatible 8mm VCRs, so these two formats found only limited acceptance.
Digital Formats: DV 8mm and Mini DV – These two formats have recently emerged as leaders in picture quality. DV 8mm uses the 8mm videocassette shell, and Mini DV is an altogether new videocassette format. Both of these formats record digitally, and the result is a sharp and vibrant picture. Digital camcorders almost always feature an IEEE-1394 connector, commonly called “Firewire” or “I-Link.” This allows the camcorder to connect directly to a computer or nonlinear editing system for direct importing of footage, with absolutely no picture quality loss.
Take a look at the table below.
| Format | Lines of Resolution (measurement of image quality) |
| VHS, VHS-C | 240 lines |
| 8mm | 240 lines |
| SVHS, SVHS-C | 400 lines |
| Hi 8mm | 400 lines |
| DV 8mm, Mini DV | 480 lines |
As you can see, the formats available in the marketplace offer a wide range of picture quality. DV 8mm and Mini DV clearly offer the best video images.
The Firewire Factor
Click thumbnail for photo of Firewire connection.
In the previous paragraph, we briefly discussed the IEEE-1394 connector, commonly known as “Firewire.” This appears to be the connection of the future for video production. The latest incarnations of the Focus Enhancements (formerly Videonics) Titlemakers and video mixers have Firewire inputs and outputs. Firewire, which carries both audio and video signal, is also the connector of choice for video editing systems such as Applied Magic’s Screenplay, iMovie2, and the upgraded AVIO.
So, are the digital camcorders your best choice only if you’re buying an entire new studio? No! These camcorders also have SVHS, composite (VHS), and audio outputs to connect to your existing equipment. When you are ready to upgrade to a digital TV studio, your camcorders will be ready.
So, here are the Video Viewfinder format recommendations:
Best choice: Mini DV
Click thumbnail for photo of Mini DV cassette.
It’s hard to find anything wrong with this format. The picture quality is broadcast quality, and the sound is pure digital (CD quality.) The IEEE-1394 connector is compatible with your nonlinear editing system, and will fit nicely when you upgrade your studio in the future. Smaller Mini DV camcorders are affordable to schools (around $700), and professional 3-CCD models are available for high-end studios. Combination Mini DV/SVHS VCRs are currently on the market, and their prices are dropping. And probably most importantly, the big 3 (Sony, Panasonic, and JVC) are all making and promoting this format.
Second choice: Digital 8mm
Digital 8mm can claim many of the advantages listed for Mini DV --- video and audio quality, firewire connector, small camcorder size. However, we don’t see stand-alone Digital 8mm VCRs as frequently as we’d like. It seems like the industry is pushing more in the Mini DV direction.
Not Bad at All: SVHS
SVHS can still deliver a very good picture quality, and there’s a lot of SVHS equipment out there – from consumer and professional camcorders to surprisingly affordable, high-quality VCRs. However, the SVHS process is analog, and you won’t find a Firewire connection. Also, those full-sized SVHS camcorders can be too heavy for the younger students. Score SVHS-C a notch lower, because of the necessary adapter.
Also Out There: VHS, VHS-C, Hi-8mm, and 8mm
With the other high-quality affordable formats in the marketplace, there’s really no reason to buy these lower-end formats for your school TV studio. (Hi-8mm gets higher marks for picture quality, but is limited by the lack of a VCR.) VHS (and to a lesser extent VHS-C) are still popular choices for classrooms because of their compatibility with most classroom VCRs.
Fortunately, all of these camcorders, even the digital formats, can be purchased for around $750 or less. That’s another big change from six years ago, when we encouraged spending twice that much for an SVHS camcorder. Will prices continue to drop during the next six years? We’ll keep an eye on that for you, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed, too!
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