PAL

1986-1990s

U-matic SP (Superior Performance) An improved version of the U-matic video cassette format was introduced by Sony in 1986. It was also available in an S cassette size. The SP used chrominance tape and offered performance improvements over previous generations of U-matic (low-band, high-band) - 330 lines of horizontal resolution for video and Dolby C noise reduction for audio. Like previous generations of U-matic, the SP version was analog and used ¾-inch tape.

The U-matic system was replaced in television by Sony's own Betacam family of videocassette formats in the 1980s. In other applications, it disappeared from the market in the 1990s.