videonauha

Videonauha (Finnish for videotape) is a magnetic-tape-based medium used to record and play back video and audio. The information is stored on a polymer tape and is housed in cassettes or on reels. In consumer formats, the tape is typically 1/2 inch wide, though professional systems used wider media. Videotape enabled the widespread use of home video recording and playback through video cassette recorders (VCRs) and camcorders, making personal archives feasible.

Historically, videonauha underwent rapid development from the 1960s onward. The 1970s saw a fierce format competition, most notably between VHS (Video Home System) from JVC and Betamax from Sony. VHS ultimately achieved broader adoption in homes thanks to longer recording times, despite debates about image quality. Other formats included professional and semi-professional tapes such as U-matic and Betacam, as well as consumer camcorder formats like Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 in later years. Most of these formats used analog recording, with some later developments introducing digital-capable variants for camcorders and data storage.

As digital media gained prominence, videotape declined in consumer use during the late 1990s and 2000s, being gradually replaced by optical discs, hard drives, and streaming services. Nevertheless, videonauha remains relevant for certain archival or niche applications, where older recordings still reside on tape. Preservation efforts emphasize proper physical storage, routine maintenance to prevent tape degradation, and, where possible, digitization to ensure long-term accessibility.