VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, and MiniDV — what’s the difference?

Michael Smith
Jan 15
2 min read

If you’ve uncovered a box of old video tapes, it’s common to find a mix of formats and just as common not to know what’s what.

VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, and MiniDV all look different, were used in different cameras, and require different equipment to digitise. In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences and help you identify what you have.

Stacked VHS tapes and a Mini DV cassette labeled "Easter 2005 + Legoland," set against a white background, conveying nostalgia.

VHS – the most common home video format

Close-up of a black VHS tape with a white label and green stripe on a white background. The label has dotted lines for writing.

VHS tapes are the largest and most recognisable format. They were widely used from the 1980s through the early 2000s, both for home recordings and commercial films.

Key points:

Full-size cassette
Used in camcorders and home VCRs
Often 1–4 hours long
Most commonly found in family collections

VHS tapes are generally straightforward to digitise, but age-related issues such as mould, stickiness, or tape wear are common.

VHS-C – compact VHS tapes

Black VHS-C tape with a white label featuring lined sections, set against a plain white background. The mood is nostalgic.

VHS-C tapes are smaller versions of VHS, designed for compact camcorders in the 1990s.

Although they can be played in a standard VHS player using an adapter, this doesn’t always mean they’re safe to do so — especially if the tape hasn’t been played for years.

Key points:

Smaller cassette than VHS
Requires a VHS-C adapter for playback
Uses the same tape stock as VHS
Often recorded on handheld camcorders

Hi8 – higher quality analogue video

A black 8mm tape with visible spools rests on a textured black background. The tape has a red label area. No text or motion is present.

Hi8 is an analogue format, like VHS, but was designed to deliver higher picture quality. It was popular with enthusiasts and semi-professional users.

Hi8 tapes look similar to Video8 tapes, but are not always interchangeable, depending on the recording method and playback equipment.

Key points:

Smaller cassette than VHS
Higher resolution than VHS
Requires compatible Hi8 playback equipment
Often used for important family events

MiniDV – early digital video tapes

Black and red Mini DV cassette labeled "DVM60" with visible tape, white background, and text "DIGITAL VIDEOCASSETTE" and "60 LP:90".

MiniDV is a digital format, introduced in the late 1990s and widely used into the 2000s.

While the video is digital, the tape itself still degrades over time, and working playback equipment is becoming harder to find.

Key points:

Compact cassette
Records digital video
Requires a working MiniDV camcorder or deck
Common in early digital home movies

Why the VHS, VHS-C, Hi8 and MiniDV format matters when digitising

Each format:

Uses different playback equipment
Has different risks when handling or playing
Requires different capture methods

This is why professional digitisation services don’t treat all tapes the same.

At Cambs Digitise, tapes are always identified and assessed before playback to ensure the correct equipment and settings are used.

What if you’re not sure what you have?

That’s completely normal.

Many customers arrive with:

Mixed formats in one box
Unlabelled tapes
Tapes recorded decades ago

We can identify formats quickly and advise on the best way to proceed before any work begins.

Local help and assessment

If you’re based in Cambridgeshire or surrounding areas, we offer local drop-off by appointment at our Tadlow office, as well as collection options across nearby towns and villages.

This allows us to: