The arrival in 1982 on the market of inexpensive S-VHS-C cam corders led to the introduction of many modern VCR features but did not make a amy real impact on the market as the arrival of MiniDV as a consumer standard made low-cost, digital, quality video widely available to consumers, and rendered analog cam corders largely obsolete.

VHS-C used the same tape width of the larger VHS videotape in a cam corder sized compact cassette,hence the designation VHS-C.

VHS-C image front & rear

VHS-C did not really stack up as a consumer camera format as the cams were heavy and really bulky despite miniaturization VHS-C was out paced by Video 8 and HI8 analog cam corders which were light weight and tiny compared to the hose brick dimensions and weight of the VHS-C cam corder and videotapes for the Video 8 and HI8 could easily fit into any pocket being half the size and thickness of VHS-C.

VHS-C had one advantage over the smaller counterpart in that the VHS-C

could be played in a standard VHS VCR with a tape adapter so you would not have to buy another VCR just to see your tapes.

VHS-C videotapes are the same quality and resolution as the standard VHS counterpart and can be easily converted to DVD by any reputable conversion service provider.

Since VHS as a format still has a way to go the need to transfer tapes is probably not high in your priorities at present but, do be aware that time is running out, the longer you leave the tapes on the book case the more likely it will be that sooner or later there will be nothing left to see so get cracking and get those tapes converted to a digital format before it really is too late.

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