Question about theoretical tape record of HD signal

[jimdagys]

I realize the powers of designers won't do this, but, is it theoretically possible using vhs tape, to record the full HD on air signal? Would the tape speed have to be faster than current standard VHS, or could the full HD signal be tucked on the tape using the standard speed? Is there any place (like Japan) that has created such a VCR?

[aedipuss]

probably not with standard vhs tape. the magnetic particles aren't small or closely packed enough to ever record HD. running it faster would cause alignment problems and tear up the thin plastic tape.

but there are d-vhs units capable of HD resolutions. not the same tape.

[jagabo]

VHS doesn't even have the bandwidth for decent standard definition let alone HD. The drum would have to spin about 10 times faster to record HD (not to mention all the other electronics would have to be improved). So a T120 tape would hold about 12 minutes of HD. And the tape would probably shred moving 10 times faster.

There are (were) HD tape recorders though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCAM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV#DVCPRO_HD
They didn't record the raw analog video, they converted to digital and compressed.

[robjv1]

I realize the powers of designers won't do this, but, is it theoretically possible using vhs tape, to record the full HD on air signal? Would the tape speed have to be faster than current standard VHS, or could the full HD signal be tucked on the tape using the standard speed? Is there any place (like Japan) that has created such a VCR?

This might be worth a look too -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W-VHS. You couldn't do it on a regular VHS tape though, you'd need a D9 or WVHS tape. There were several WVHS decks released in Japan and a couple in America. These deck have component video inputs.