# (camcorder q)Is Hi8 the same thing as video 8 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camcorder-q-is-hi8-the-same-thing-as-video-8/284281 "2005-01-11T21:44:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![\_xiao\_wenti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b782af/32.png) [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camcorder-q-is-hi8-the-same-thing-as-video-8/284281/1 "2005-01-11T21:44:21Z")
I have to tape a seminar and our IT person is out. We have a Sony TR-805 (no manual) with a Sony MP120 Video 8 tape inside. I need to get some tapes; is Hi8 the same format as the Video8? Thanks in advance ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camcorder-q-is-hi8-the-same-thing-as-video-8/284281/2 "2005-01-11T22:06:41Z")
Hi8 is a higher bandwitdh version of video 8 similar to S-VHS and Super Beta in relation to the regular formats. The cassette is the same form but has a little hole to allow the recorder/camera to identify it as containing higher bandwidth capable tape so it will record in Hi8 format. Hi8 devices can use standard tape in standard mode but not the other way around. Get regular video 8 tape unless you see a Hi8 logo. Hi8 tape may work but you’ll be wasting money on it. ---
**Author:** ![\_xiao\_wenti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b782af/32.png) [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camcorder-q-is-hi8-the-same-thing-as-video-8/284281/3 "2005-01-11T22:11:18Z")
Thanks. I just couldn’t tell through a quick product search. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/camcorder-q-is-hi8-the-same-thing-as-video-8/284281/4 "2005-01-11T23:04:10Z")
I did a bit of googling and found this: [http://www.chez.com/ctv/tr805.htm](http://www.chez.com/ctv/tr805.htm) The TR-805 was released about ten years ago and is a high-quality analogie camcorder. It uses 8mm videotapes. As **padeye** mentioned, Hi8 videotape is a higher quality tape that needs the higher-quality Hi8 camcorder to record it. I _think_ you can use a Hi8 tape in a regular-8 camcorder and record at the regular-8 quality. These camcorders have largely been replaced by Mini-DV camcorders, which record digital video of higher quality still. There is a Digital-8 variant of the 8mm camcorder that records digital video on Hi8 tapes running at double speed; the resulting video is compatible woith that from Mini-DV camcorders. List of videotape formats: [http://www.tech-notes.tv/Standards-Practices/TVTapeformats.htm](http://www.tech-notes.tv/Standards-Practices/TVTapeformats.htm) > [@](#): > > Kodak released first 8mm camcorder in 1984. 255 lines of resolution. Maximum tape length is 120 minutes in SP mode or 240 minutes in LP mode… > > [HI8 is a much] improved version of 8mm video. Has an optional second AFM track for stereo sound. 415 lines of resolution. Maximum tape length is 120 minutes in SP mode… > > [Digital 8 camcorders record the] same digital signal as DV onto less expensive Hi8 tapes. Plays back 8mm and Hi8 tapes. A 120 minute Hi8 tape can record 60 minutes of Digital 8. Has analog inputs for digitally archiving existing analog footage. Audio is CD-quality. Only available as camcorders, not decks.