Videotape and video equipment design differences - physical and technical - dictating compatibility and quality. In its most basic sense, format refers to standardized tape widths and videocassette sizes. (See Betamax, D-1/D-2, Digital Video, Hi 8, 8mm, Three Quarter-Inch, VHS, VHS-C and Super VHS.)

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(communications usage) The form in which the recording is made. For example: € analog includes 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch tape; € digital includes D2, D3, and D5.

Refers specifically to tape sizes and qualities, and generally to classes of video equipment. Popular video formats in decreasing order of quality and expense are: Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, Betacam, 3/4"SP, S-VHS, Hi8 and VHS.

Defines how data is written to the tape; it defines things such as the number and position of tracks, number of bits per inch and the recording code to be used.

Describes the video equipment and tape used. Popular formats listed in ascending order of cost and quality include VHS, 8-MM, SVHS, HI-8.

Different programs and devices store information in a variety of ways. The specific organization of information a program or device requires is called its format. Some types of formatting are VHS, DVD, and PDF.

The manner in which data is stored; its organization. For example, VHS, SVHS, and Beta are three different formats of video tape. They are not 100% compatible with each other, but information can be transferred from one to the other with the proper equipment (but not always without loss; SVHS contains more information than either of the other two). Computer information can be stored in literally hundreds of different formats, and can represent text, sounds, graphics, animations, etc. Computer information can be exchanged via different computer types provided both computers can interpret the format used.

Describes the equipment and film or tape used. Examples for film: (8mm, Super 8, 16mm, 35mm). For video: (VHS, HI-8, Beta).

In video, a term used for the size, packaging, and sometimes the recording standard of a certain family of videotapes. Tapes that are the same format, though different brands or made by different manufacturers, will play back on the same equipment.

The manner in which information is presented includes print, audiovisual, electronic or digital. A magazine can be in print format, whereas a musical recording or videotape is in an audiovisual format.

A variety of formats are used to record audio and video. They vary by tape width: (8mm, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 2 inch), signal form: ( composite, Y/C, component), data storage type ( analog, or digital) and signal standard ( NTSC, PAL, SECAM).

Videotape and video equipment design differences--physical and technical--dictating quality and compatibility. [See VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, DV.

See videotape format.