The VHS Tape Invention
So when was the VHS invented? In its initial invention the VHS offered a revolutionary way to store video content and playback. It was affordable and accessible as long as you had the respective video players. The VHS tape became a household staple for millions of people and their families to enjoy. Either watching the next Hollywood blockbuster or relishing recorded family home movies.
When the VHS Was Invented
The Video Home System or VHS was released by the technological monster that was JVC in the late 1976 in Japan quickly following Sony’s introduction of the Betamax, a direct competitor within the industry.
Either formats led a technological breakthrough in home entertainment as users can now access and replay releases for movies, film and other series of moving images at the comfort of their own home. Before their introduction, film industry players such as Hollywood had used magnetic tape for recording in the 1950s but this was expensive at the time. For the average user, they couldn’t afford the luxury.
The VHS offered a solution in distributing media.
Movie Studios such as Paramount Pictures or Hollywood offered video rental stores their VHS recordings in wholesale which was then accessible to the public.
People for the first time could easily browse and shop for recent releases, then simply insert tape in their VCR player back home to watch. VHS tape uses were expanded on with users being able to record their own shows for later viewing.
The VHS mini counterpart
The sturdy and compact format was well known by the 1980s onwards. People enjoyed its simplicity, being able to hold up to 2 hours of footage. With the release of more mobile recording through camcorders, people could now record at home or for personal uses.
JVC introduced VHS-C in 1982 as an alternative to Sony’s Betacam and later their 8mm tape also known as Video8.
VHS-C tapes could be played in VCR systems with an adapter. This lets VHS customers play their recordings without the need to buy a second VHS-C compatible recorder in order to play their VHS-C tapes.
VHS-C tapes are noticeably smaller than their bigger counterpart. This led to a reduced run time – only able to record up to 30 minutes of footage. However, the format still produced the same video and sound quality of the VHS.
The format later experienced an upgrade in video quality with the introduction of the SVHS and SVHS-C tape. Allowing for a higher video resolution.
It’s no question that the VHS tape was a standard in home uses and home recording. The format saw success all the way up to the early 2000s even with the introduction of the DVD format which eventually replaced the age old media.
For the moment, the format is rarely seen commercially in today’s digital world. However, some contain precious and personal memories of the past. With Happy Ireland Productions, you’ll be able to relive past recorded moments with family and friends. Check out our video transfer service.
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