The Proliferation of Video Formats Up to the Millennium
Over 65 formats in 45 years
The 1st videotape format became available in 1956. This was 2” wide and a single hour weighed over 20 lbs.
Within 10 years, 10 new video formats became available. These included the first consumer format. All of these tapes types were reel-to reel.
Over the next 10 years, an additional 16 new formats became available. These including the 1st new widespread broadcast tape and the introduction of the 1st cassette tapes for both the professional and consumer markets.
The next 10 years saw another 12 new formats introduced. Among these were multiple new broadcast formats and the 1st digital format. During this time, there was also the 1st major change in the chemistry used to manufacture video tapes.
The next 10 years saw an additional 18 new formats. These were mostly digital and included the 1st consumer digital tape and the 1st HD tape.
During the last 4 years up to the Millennium, 9 new formats were introduced. All of these were digital.
After the millennium, a number of new tape formats were introduced but, by this time, tape had already started to lose its preeminence as the medium for recording and processing video.
Over 65 formats in 45 years
The 1st videotape format became available in 1956. This was 2” wide and a single hour weighed over 20 lbs.
Within 10 years, 10 new video formats became available. These included the first consumer format. All of these tapes types were reel-to reel.
Over the next 10 years, an additional 16 new formats became available. These including the 1st new widespread broadcast tape and the introduction of the 1st cassette tapes for both the professional and consumer markets.
The next 10 years saw another 12 new formats introduced. Among these were multiple new broadcast formats and the 1st digital format. During this time, there was also the 1st major change in the chemistry used to manufacture video tapes.
The next 10 years saw an additional 18 new formats. These were mostly digital and included the 1st consumer digital tape and the 1st HD tape.
During the last 4 years up to the Millennium, 9 new formats were introduced. All of these were digital.
After the millennium, a number of new tape formats were introduced but, by this time, tape had already started to lose its preeminence as the medium for recording and processing video.