Very rare HD video formats?
 

An interesting history of HDTV and some rare HD formats. Personally, besides Muse, HD-MAC, I've never known that there were reel to reel analog tape formats that can record them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdRBcgYgoOU

A problem with these formats is that at that time there was no HD broadcast network or consumer tape format to show them on. So most people never got to see the better picture quality.

That YT upload leaves out Steve Binder's "Electronovision" of around 1964. It used modified Ampex 2" Quad VTR's and special video cameras giving a much higher than standard definition picture if still black and white. 800 horizontal lines I think. The format was designed to be transferred to 35 mm film for screening in cinemas, the HD movie format of that time. The 1964 TAMI show was recorded this way and finally released on home video some years ago although using as source all that survived, a 35mm film copy.

https://youtu.be/JLAcIyjzQ20

The 1992 Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert was shot in the broadcast format of that time but it was also recorded in the Japanese NHK HD format and finally released on home video some years ago with the higher def picture.

I remember also there was a French standard of 800 horizontal lines back in the 60's or 70's but I can't remember the name of it and I think it uses SECAM color encoding.

I've read about the Japanese HD in the early 90s, some years ago. Interesting stuff. I was oblivious to HD until the 2000s, focused on my SD toons/TV hobby. And films, mostly 16mm show/toon prints.

While I was still in college (class of '94) Kurt Loder had a newsclip talking about these "amazing" televisions in Japan that showed high definition video. That was also around the time I read about new-fangled CD recorders that used a blue laser for higher data capacity, and the MTV Unplugged Aerosmith episode being recorded and transmitted in HD.

Back in the 90s, the Smithsonian had a working exhibit of a high definition television broadcast on a CRT TV in the information age section of the Museum of American History. It was your typical demo loop of building architecture and outdoor scenes. Given the time frame (1993), I suspect it was a MUSE Hi-Vision LaserDisc.

https://groups.google.com/g/alt.vide...m/wsVr2p5s9tAJ

For many, it was likely their first time ever seeing HD video.

Hmm... :hmm:

I was there in '97. I wonder if I saw that, and just do not remember?

(I don't really remember much about the Smithsonian whatsoever, aside from going. I do remember the WWII planes. I was mostly there for the inauguration and some meetings, limited time for sightseeing.)