On Tue, 6 Nov 2001 16:01:24 +0000, Tony Morgan wrote:
>In article <0t74pUAyXA67EwhF@atomor.demon.co.uk>, Tony Morgan
> writes
>>In article <3725-3BE7E1EB-200@storefull-143.iap.bryant.webtv.net>, Steve
>>McDonald writes

>>> The Sony TR700 and the 3-CCD VX3 that came out in 1993 were the
>>>peak models of highend consumer Hi-8 camcorders and it's been a steady
>>>downhill slide in quality and features since then. If you have any
>>>inclination for good video production today, they're trying to edge you
>>>over into their digital zone.

>>You appear to be unaware of some essential facts:
>>1. The max resolution achievable from Hi-8 is about 250 lines
>> horizontal resolution.
>>2. The *typical* resolution of DV is 500+ lines horizontal resolution.

>Apologies and correction; the max resolutions of the various formats
>are:
>VHS: 230 to 240 lines
>VHS-C: 230 to 240 lines
>S-VHS: 400 lines
>8 mm: 270 to 290 lines
>Hi8: 400+ lines
>Digital/Digital8: 500 lines
>
>A substantial difference does, however, remain.

Yes, but as you note, these are "maximums" - a good Hi-8
can easily look better than a low-end DV, and good
examples are the two camcorders noted in the first post
(above). It was kinda surprising to compare a TR700
(one-chip Hi-8) recently with a very good 3-chip Mini-DV
TRV900 - the 900 was better, but not by much - and the 700
was clearly better than most one-chipper Mini-DVs (these
often barely touch 350-400 lines, if that, and have negative
picture artifacts not seen in the analogue format...).