VHS-C

Magnetic tape-based format VHS-CVHS-C cassette adapter (top) and VHS-C cassette (bottom)Media typeMagnetic cassette tape, 1⁄2-inch (13 mm)EncodingNTSC, PAL, SECAMCapacity30, 60 minutesRead mechanismHelical scanWrite mechanismHelical scanStandard525 lines, 625 linesDimensions92 × 58 × 20 mm (3+5⁄8 × 2+1⁄4 × 3⁄4 in)UsageHome moviesExtended fromVHSReleased1982; 44 years ago (1982) VHS-C is a compact version of the VHS videocassette format, introduced by Victor Company of Japan (JVC) in 1982, and used primarily in consumer-grade analog recording camcorders. VHS-C uses the same magnetic tape as full-size VHS cassettes and can be played in a regular VHS VCR using an adapter. An improved version named S-VHS-C was also developed. VHS-C's main competitor was Sony's Video8 format, but both were eventually displaced in the consumer market by the digital MiniDV format, which offered a smaller form factor. Technical info From top to bottom: VHS-C cassette adapter with door open and cassette inserted, VHS-C cassette, and camcorder The magnetic tape on VHS-C cassettes is wound on one main spool and used a gear wheel which moves the tape forward. It can also be moved by hand. This deve