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At one time during the late 1990's event videographers had 2 choices - SVHS and Hi8. As videographers we choose JVC's SVHS as the camera looked bigger and had a better reputation with clients. However, the quality of Hi8 was equal to and in many cases surpassed that of SVHS.
To counter the introduction of the Super-VHS format, Sony introduced Video Hi8 (short for high-band Video8). Like S-VHS, Hi8 used improved recorder electronics and media formulation to increase the recorded bandwidth of the luminance signal. Both Hi8 and S-VHS were officially rated at a luminance resolution of 420 horizontal TV/lines (560×480 in today's digital terms), a vast improvement from their respective base formats of 240 lines and roughly equal to laserdisc quality. Chroma resolution for both remained unchanged, at approximately 30 lines horizontal.
Both S-VHS and Hi8 retained the audio recording systems of their base formats; VHS HiFi Stereo outperformed Video8/Hi8 AFM, but remained restricted to high-end machines. In the late 1980s, digital (PCM) audio was introduced into some higher grade models of Hi8 (but never S-VHS) recorders. Hi8 PCM audio operated at a sampling rate of 32 kHz with 8-bit samples—higher fidelity than the monaural linear dubbing offered by VHS/S-VHS, but vastly inferior to VHS HiFi. PCM-capable Hi8 recorders could simultaneously record PCM stereo in addition to the legacy (analog AFM) stereo audio tracks.
The final upgrade to the Video8 format came in 1998, when Sony introduced XR capability (extended resolution). Video8-XR and Hi8-XR offered a modest 10% improvement in luminance detail. Hi8-XR recordings incorporate date and time data codes that can be used for searching and can be displayed on replay if required. XR equipment replays non-XR recordings well, and XR recordings are fully playable on non-XR equipment, though without the benefits of XR. Video8 equipment cannot play Hi8 recordings. All Hi8 equipment can record and play in the legacy Video8 format. Hi8 Video Transfers
At Canada Home Movies we use professional Hi8 decks to provide a high quality analog stream to our computers. Depending on our clients needs we can produce high quality, high bit rate DVDS or upload and export for PC (AVI), Mac (DV) or for the Internet (MPEG4). We can also create custom video presentations for your party, wedding or event. Please visit ExcellencePhoto.com for more information.
VHS tape is by far the most popular video format of all time. Using Professional VHS, SHVS decks we convert your footage at the highest possible quality. Most VHS cassettes are 2 hours in length, however they can be as long as 6 hours if they were recorded in Extended Play (EP) Mode. Depending on you requirements we can provide a high bit-rate DVD that will play in your computer and DVD player or we can do a direct to computer upload. This will allow you to receive either an AVI file for PC or DV for Mac that can be edited into future projects.
Check our videotape section for more information about this format or see our video FAQs for more information on our video transfer services
Video8, Hi8 and Digital8 are all 8mm film formats that were popular in the 1990s. Created as a convenient compact cassette format for camcorders, a person could record 2 hours of footage in SP and up to 6 hours in EP mode. Depending on you requirements we can provide a high bit-rate DVD that will play in your computer and DVD player or we can do a direct to computer upload. This will allow you to receive either an AVI file for PC or DV for Mac that can be edited into future projects.
For more information on these formats, please check the following sections: Video8, Hi8 and Digital8. You can also read our video FAQs for more information on our video transfer services.
The MiniDV format is one of the most commonly used formats for camcorders. Leading manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Sharp, Canon, and many others offer MiniDV camcorders for digital video recording for usually up to 1hr of recording. Depending on you requirements we can provide a high bit-rate DVD that will play in your computer and DVD player or we can do a direct to computer upload. This will allow you to receive either an AVI file for PC or DV for Mac that can be edited into future projects.
Learn more about MiniDV
For over a decade CanadaHomeMovies.com has converted thousands of Beta and Betamax video tapes to DVD, hard drive and MiniDV. We are one of the few companies in Canada with professional Betamax decks in perfect working order. Using the latest analog to digital conversion equipment we can save your Beta and Betamax PAL and NTSC footage before it fades forever. Call us now.
MicroMV is Sony's proprietary digital videotape format. It's the smallest videotape format at about the size of two quarter coins. Each MicroMV cassette holds up to 60min of footage.DVCAM was a professional DV format that came in 2 tapes sizes. 60/90 minute tapes same as MiniDV and 184 minute large cassettes. 
Toronto Home Movies can output your transferred 8mm and 16mm footage to MiniDV Cassette for long term archival storage. We use professional grade Panasonic MiniDV cassettes.
If you have MiniDV tapes that you wish to convert to other format, such as DVD or Blu-Ray, please visit out Video Cassette Transfer section.
To learn more about MiniDV, visit the MiniDV section
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