Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!ames!sgi!ciemo@bananapc.wpd.sgi.com
From: ciemo@bananapc.wpd.sgi.com (Dave Ciemiewicz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi
Subject: Re: 8mm Tapes
Summary: 8mm != VHS
Message-ID: <35379@sgi.SGI.COM>
Date: 14 Jun 89 18:15:50 GMT
References: <8906141127.aa12363@VMB.BRL.MIL>
Sender: daemon@sgi.SGI.COM
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA
Lines: 25

In article <8906141127.aa12363@VMB.BRL.MIL>, TNIELAND@FALCON.BERKELEY.EDU (Ted Nieland - SRL) writes:
> The Exabyte units use the 8mm VHS tape from any vendor.

Just to clear up some confusion, there is no such thing as an 8mm VHS tape.
There are 8mm video tapes.  There are 1/2 inch (12.7mm) VHS, VHS-C
(compact format), and Beta tapes.  None of these tapes is physically compatible
with the other with the exception of VHS-C which can be used in a VHS
deck by means of a special adapter.

Also, the signal characteristics and recording formats used by 8mm, VHS, and
Beta are different, so even if they all used the same physical media, 8mm, VHS,
and Beta would be incompatible.

Don't go looking for blank 8mm VHS at your local record/video store as the
pimple faced kid behind the counter will just stare blankly at you.  (That
is more so than usual.)

--
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			 Dave Ciemiewicz - ciemo@sgi.com

			Silicon Graphics Computer Systems
    "We're working on the pipeline ... taking from the 2D giving to the 3D"
			   (Apologies to Depeche Mode)
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