When S-VHS was first introduced to the world in 1987, it was touted as a significant improvement to the VHS format. Considering that the pixel limitations of VHS video stood at only 240 lines of horizontal resolution, the thought of nearly doubling that image quality was an exciting idea. The new format was dubbed "Super" VHS and S-VHS was born. When S-VHS made it from Japan to America in the late 1980s, it was expected to be a major evolutionary step forward in video technology with better picture and sound. Things turned out much differently, however.
How S-VHS Worked
S-VHS was designed to increase the lines of resolution by increasing the luminance bandwidth. The cassettes looked like a regular VHS tape, except for a tiny hole on the bottom that allowed VCRs to determine the correct videotape format. It was marketed as having better resolution than modern-day broadcast TV signals, in addition to having superior sound. In return for this high quality, consumers were also expected to pay more.
When recording off TV, consumers might have noticed that the formats chroma signal was different that what they saw on live TV. But despite the higher lines of resolution, the color just wasn't quite the same when playing back a recording.
S-VHS camcorders were introduced not long after S-VHS video cassettes and at the time provided the closest anyone could get to a home movie recording quality slightly mimicking what standard-definition DVD would later provide at 480 lines of resolution. Despite this, and the fact that manufacturers were expecting a new sales war with the also new Extended Definition Betamax, sales were mild.
When recording off TV, consumers might have noticed that the formats chroma signal was different that what they saw on live TV. But despite the higher lines of resolution, the color just wasn't quite the same when playing back a recording.
S-VHS camcorders were introduced not long after S-VHS video cassettes and at the time provided the closest anyone could get to a home movie recording quality slightly mimicking what standard-definition DVD would later provide at 480 lines of resolution. Despite this, and the fact that manufacturers were expecting a new sales war with the also new Extended Definition Betamax, sales were mild.
The Expected War with ED Betamax
While the introduction of home video technology did indeed start off with a "war" between VHS and Beta, VHS ultimately won soundly leaving use of Beta in sharp decline in the US by the mid 1980s. Despite this, SONY did not give up and introduced Extended Definition Betamax video, with an amazing 500 lines of horizontal resolution, to compete with the new S-VHS. Consumers, however, had the final say and overwhelmingly opted for the lower cost of standard VHS, despite the fact that higher quality formats were now available. By the mid 1990s Betamax had all but disappeared but S-VHS continued to hold on to a small share of the consumer video market up to the digital era and can still be purchased in specialty stores and online to this day.
Converting S-VHS Videos to DVD
If you are among those who took advantage of the higher resolution and sound quality offered by S-VHS videos, creating home movies and capturing family memories on them, or using them for other purposes, converting them to DVD is not only still a possibility, it's a necessity. Like all types of videotapes, their life expectancy is rapidly nearing its end, but it's not to late to preserve them for future generations. What's more, you'll be able to enjoy them once again utilizing today's video technology, web and social media.
If it's time to transfer the S-VHS videos in your collection, contact us for a quote on professional conversion, performed with the utmost of care for your memories.
If it's time to transfer the S-VHS videos in your collection, contact us for a quote on professional conversion, performed with the utmost of care for your memories.
Further Reading
Time to Transfer VHS Tapes to DVD in Your Household?
VHS Video Tapes: A Format Now Relegated to Collector Value
BetaMax Video Tapes: the Format That Could Have Been Without VHS
U-matic Video Tapes: A Missed Chance for Consumers Before Beta and VHS
S-VHS Tapes History & Conversion: The VHS Improvement That Never Really Took Off
VHS-C Video Tapes: A Smaller Version of VHS
Hi8 & Digital 8 Video Tapes: Improved Clarity at the Cusp of the Digital Era
Video8 Tapes: The Last Video Format Before the Digital Era
VHS Video Tapes: A Format Now Relegated to Collector Value
BetaMax Video Tapes: the Format That Could Have Been Without VHS
U-matic Video Tapes: A Missed Chance for Consumers Before Beta and VHS
S-VHS Tapes History & Conversion: The VHS Improvement That Never Really Took Off
VHS-C Video Tapes: A Smaller Version of VHS
Hi8 & Digital 8 Video Tapes: Improved Clarity at the Cusp of the Digital Era
Video8 Tapes: The Last Video Format Before the Digital Era
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