Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This video is a very unscientific comparison of the linear audio quality using every VHS speed I could find. The audio is mono.

Results were captured using a Hauppauge HVR-1800. Video is untouched (no cleanup or TBC used) as is audio (no changes to levels). Also, I'm fairly certain the Panasonic VCR used for VP is applying some sort of noise reduction.

Video footage is just random stuff shot by me.
Source for the song is here: youtube.com/watch?v=UFBXVPFNTXQ

The VCRs used for the test:
SP/LP/EP: youtube.com/watch?v=WKACePl72Jc
VP: youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZVBJH9Xq4
Time Lapse: youtube.com/watch?v=Cugor5t27dM

Comparison of video tape speeds:

Format Speed
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Beta I [NTSC] 4.0 cm/s
Beta I [PAL] 3.746 cm/s
VHS SP [NTSC] 3.335 cm/s
Video2000 SP [PAL] 2.442 cm/s
VHS SP [PAL] 2.339 cm/s
Beta II [NTSC] 2.0 cm/s
Beta II [PAL] 1.873 cm/s
VHS LP [NTSC] 1.6675 cm/s
Beta III [NTSC] 1.33 cm/s
Video2000 LP [PAL] 1.221 cm/s
VHS LP [PAL] 1.1695 cm/s
VHS SLP/EP [NTSC] 1.112 cm/s
VHS EP [PAL] 0.78 cm/s
VHS VP [NTSC] 0.667 cm/s
Time-Lapse 18hr [NTSC] 0.371 cm/s
Time Lapse-30hr [NTSC] 0.222 cm/s