What types of video tape formats do collectors usually use?
The most common tape format used now is standard VHS. Many collectors are now upgrading to Super VHS. 8mm and Hi-8 are also becoming popular format among collectors. Beta has declined among the general public but many collectors still prefer Super Beta for the better picture quality. 3/4″ tape, once the standard for television has long since disappeared from the “professional and broadcast” world. 3/4″ U-matic decks can now be picked up for as little as $10 and many used tapes are sold VERY cheap or even given away. Many collectors are picking up 3/4″ as an inexpensive alternative to S VHS (but not quite as good a quality as S VHS) 1″ and Betacam SP “broadcast quality” formats aren’t generally used by collectors, but I have run across some collectors who have items in these formats.
