Videotape formats

Videotapes exist in different sizes (1/2", 3/4", 1"), different formats (VHS, 8mm, U-MATIC) and different qualities (S-VHS, Hi8); camcorders, cameras and videotape players are specific and can only be used with a specific videotape size and format.

A videotape can be converted from one size and format into another, but with more quality loss than that obtained when copying a tape onto another with the same characteristics (a new "generation" of the tape).