The 8mm video format refers informally to three related videocassette formats. These are the original Video8 format and its improved successor Hi8, as well as a more recent digital recording format known as Digital8. Their user base consisted mainly of amateur camcorder users, although they also saw important use in the professional television production field.
A Video8 videocassette
An amateur grade Video8 Camcorder from the early 1990s
A professional-grade ENG/EFP field Hi8 camcorder. Sony EVW-300
A Sony Hi8 videocassette
Videotape is magnetic tape used for storing video and usually sound in addition. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal. Videotape is used in both video tape recorders (VTRs) and, more commonly, videocassette recorders (VCRs) and camcorders. Videotapes have also been used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram.
An assortment of video tapes
A 14-inch reel of 2-inch quad videotape compared with a modern-day MiniDV videocassette. Both media store one hour of color video.
U-matic tape
Video 8 (left), VHS (right) and MiniDV (bottom)