In 1985, Sony of Japan introduced the Handycam, one of the first Video8 cameras with commercial success. In January 1984, Eastman Kodak announced the new technology. Their user base consisted mainly of amateur camcorder users, although they also saw important use in the professional television production field. These are the original Video8 ( analog recording) format and its improved successor Hi8 ( analog video and analog audio but with provision for digital audio), as well as a more recent digital recording format known as Digital8. The 8mm video format refers informally to three related videocassette formats for the NTSC and PAL/ SECAM television systems.
