Information needed about video cassette.

[Crispan]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum so if I have posted this in the wrong section, I apologize.
I'm looking for information about a cassette tape I found about 28 years ago in the Soho, London that was left in an amusement arcade. Yes, your reading right, 28 years ago, it's not a normal VHS tape, it's a lot bigger i.e thicker, longer, etc I have no idea what format the tape is. The label on the tape gives the title of the contents as "The Last Cinderella". shortly after finding the tape I wrapped it in paper and sealed it, intending to return it to the address on the label, but I never got round to it. I was cleaning out the attic the other day and, low and behold there it was in a storage box still wrapped in the protective paper. I mentioned it to my wife and well she suggested I try and find out more about it.
Remember, I have no idea what is on the tape all I know is the title. Can anyone give me information on what kind of tape it is and where I may find a compatible machine to finally see what's on the tape. Could it be worth something to a collector. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[jman98]

Post a photo if you REALLY want answers to your questions. Better post several photos showing as much as possible.

I did a search and The Last Cinderella only shows up as a 2013 Japanese drama, so whatever you've got is very likely worth nothing. There's no real market for old tapes unless they have some kind of truly rare content and even then it's unusual for those to sell for more than 10-20 Euros. If I had to guess maybe it's a Betamax tape and that's some kind of porn, but that's a wild guess (more wild on the porn, less wild that it's Betamax).

[smrpix]

Likely 3/4" but there are many other possibilities as well. Post a photo.

edit: beaten to it by the best.

[DB83]

Another possibility.

Video 2000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_2000

Pretty rare to find any players for this now

[KBeee]

Not Betamax or Video2000 if the cassette is a lot bigger than a VHS cassette.

[jagabo]

U-matic?

[smrpix]

U-matic?

That was my guess! (U-matic = 3/4")

[Crispan]

The tape format IS U-matic, thanks for the replies about this, I typed this into Google images, and the tape is exactly the same as the one's pictured. The thing about this tape is.... It looks like a master copy, maybe I'm wrong, but why would someone record on this format, and not the most popular format like, VHS. This is what makes me think there might be something Unusual about this tape I have. Another quick question where would I go to have the contents viewed because I'm guessing a U-matic video recorder is something a bit rare these days.

[transporterfan]

Soho, London that was left in an amusement arcade...28 years ago....

Maybe it wasn't lost. Hmm - four years before the end of the Cold War. Maybe it was a drop by a spy...

[smrpix]

It looks like a master copy, maybe I'm wrong, but why would someone record on this format, and not the most popular format like, VHS.

3/4" U-Matic was a professional format that existed before VHS and had superior quality. It was used for news gathering and general distribution. Mastering was usually done to 2" Quad or 1" tape or betcam (depending on the era) though lower budget productions like documentaries were frequently mastered directly to 3/4". Even after the introduction of VHS, 3/4" remained a more robust high quality aquisition and distribution format. It was eventually replaced by betacam (not betamax.)