ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that archaeologist and other social scientists who undoubtedly have cardboard boxes full of now-aging videotapes Beta, Video Home System (VHS), VHS-C (VHS-Compact), Video8, 8 mm, other analog video formats transfer these to Digital Versatile Disc (DVDs). In 1975, Sony introduced Betamax to the video market. Beta was a consumer-level analog recording technology with a half-inch-wide magnetic videotape in a plastic cassette. This was primarily geared for home video and movie viewing use. For several years, the Beta and VHS formats battled for control of the home video market. In 1985, Sony released the Handycam, a Video8 camera, and its smaller size quickly overtook the consumer or home camcorder market. This analog system was soon followed by the Hi8 format. Many professional television and filmmakers welcomed the Hi8 video format because it offered improved picture resolution, and some Hi8 gear could hold additional digital stereo on a special track.
