1999-2016

The Digital8 format is a combination of the earlier analog Hi8 tape system and the digital DV codec.

Digital8 equipment only records in DV format, but usually also plays Video8 and Hi8 recordings.

This feature allows you to use Digital8 machines to digitize analog videos.

Digital8 (or D8) is a cassette format developed by Sony and introduced in 1999 for 8mm consumer camcorders.

Digital8 equipment uses the same video cassettes as analog V8 and Hi8 equipment, but the signal is digitally encoded using the industry-standard DV codec, meaning that the digital audio and digital video specifications are the same as the DV format.

On traditional Hi8 video cassettes, the helical video head drum spins 2.5 times faster for digital recording than for analog recording.

For both NTSC and PAL Digital8 equipment, a standard 120-minute NTSC/90-minute PAL Hi8 cassette stores 60 minutes of Digital8 video (Standard Play) or 90 minutes (Long Play).

There are 90-minute cassettes marketed specifically for Digital8, but these use thinner tape than the 60-minute ones.

LP playback is available on some devices, such as the TRV-30, TRV-40, and a few others.

Digital8 recordings can also be made on standard Video8 cassettes, but Sony does not recommend this.

For Digital8 recording, Hi8 metal cassettes are recommended.

After the introduction of D8, most Hi8 tapes sold are marked for both Hi8 and Digital8 use.