1976 - 1990

In 1976, Sony introduced the downward compatible wideband Broadcast Video U-matic (BVU) format. The original U-matic format was later known as low-band. The BVU format featured an improved color recording system and lower noise levels.

BVU became extremely popular in ENG and everyday broadcast production, replacing 16mm film. In the early 1990s, the U-matic High Band format was replaced by Sony's Betacam SP system, but it continued to be used in corporate video production.

In the final development of the BVU series, better picture quality was achieved by increasing the video Y-FM carrier frequency to 1.2 MHz. The BVU 800 series also featured Dolby audio noise reduction.