Sony launched Handycam products and Video8 format

Sony's introduction of the Handycam products and the Video8 format marked a pivotal development in the consumer camcorder market. The Handycam was designed to be compact and user-friendly, allowing consumers to easily record personal videos. This innovation was significant as it democratized video recording, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond professional filmmakers. The Video8 format, which was introduced alongside the Handycam, provided improved video quality compared to its predecessors, such as the Betamax and VHS formats. Video8 quickly gained popularity due to its smaller tape size and enhanced recording capabilities, which appealed to home users looking for a convenient way to capture memories. The subsequent introduction of the Hi8 format further improved video quality, solidifying the Video8 family as a dominant player in the consumer video market.