DV is a family of codecs and tape formats used for storing digital video, launched in 1995 by a consortium of video camera manufacturers led by Sony and Panasonic. It includes the recording or cassette formats DV, MiniDV, DVCAM, Digital8, HDV, DVCPro, DVCPro50 and DVCProHD. DV has been used primarily for video recording with camcorders in the amateur and professional sectors.
DV cassettes: DVCAM-L, DVCPRO-M, MiniDV
Panasonic AJ-D950 DVCPRO50 VCR
Panasonic AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO camcorder pictured in 2018
A MiniDV tape (centre) size comparison against a Video8 tape (left) and VHS tape (right)
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)
