The analog video equipment available today can be divided into three categories:
Each of these categories is mainly based on magnetic technology where the video signal is modulated onto an FM carrier before recording. Most systems record the composite video signal (PAL, NTSC or SECAM) but there are some new systems that record the luminance and chrominance components separately. These component systems have less artifacts related to color and are superior if advanced color manipulation like colorkeying is used.
Broadcast equipment is often composed of stand-alone cameras and separate units for recording, mixing and broadcasting. The cameras are usually of the three-sensor type. Their performance is very high and they allow several generations of copying without affecting the quality shown on the TV receiver. The main standards for broadcast recording are the composite systems Type B and Type C that use one-inch tape and the component systems Betacam/Betacam SP and Type MII using half-inch tape.
Professional level video cameras are also often of the three-sensor type but with smaller optics and sensors to reduce size and cost. They come both as camcorders and as separate cameras and video recorders. The standards are U-Matic using 3/4-inch tape, S-VHS with half-inch tape and Hi-8 using 8mm tape.
Consumer video cameras are almost without exception camcorders with the camera and recording device in the same ligth-weight unit. They are of single-sensor type and do not have a comparable performance to the Broadcast and Professional level equipment. The main standards are SVHS (1/2 inch tape) and 8-mm (8mm tape).
