OPEN REEL FORMATS:
        Step 1. Identify your tape, if you don't already know what format it is.
        Step 2. Proceed to the VTR list to indentify which machines may play your tape.

Two Inch Quadruplex and Helical Scan Tape Width: 2 inches Reel hub: NAB Diameter: 8-1/2" and larger Format Name: Quadruplex, Two Inch Helical Scan Notes: Ampex VR-660, VR-1500 & VR-8000, IVC-9000	Sony PV Two Inch Helical Scan Tape Width: 2 inch Reel hub: Mini NAB?  Diameter: 8-1/2" Format Name: PV-100 or Sony Two Inch Notes: Format unique to Sony
One Inch Helical Scan Tape Width: 1 inch Reel hub: NAB  -  May be metal or plastic Diameter: 8-1/2" and up Format Name: Type A, Type B, Type C, One Inch Helical  Notes: Shibaden SV-727, Panasonic NV-204/504/505, IVC-700/800/900	Sony EV & UV One Inch Helical Scan Tape Width: 1 inch.  Reel hub: Small Spindle Diameter:  8" Reels may be metal or plastic Format Name: EV or UV or Sony One inch Notes: Format unique to Sony
Half Inch Helical Scan Tape Width: 1/2 inch Reel hub: Small spindle  Diameter:  4-1/2", 5" & 7" Format Name: Sony CV, Panasonic pr-EIAJ, Concord pr-EIAJ, Shibaden, EIAJ Notes:	Quater Inch Helical Scan Tape Width: 1/4 inch Reel hub: Small spindle. (The large reel uses an adapter) Diameter:  4-1/2", 5", 7" & 11-1/2" Format Name: Akai Quarter Inch Notes: Super rare: Bauer 1004
Akai VK Format Tape Width: 1/2 inch Dimensions: 3-13/16" x 5-7/8" x 15/16" Format Name: VK Notes: Format unique to Akai	Quasar VX Format Tape width: 1/2 inch Dimensions: 8-1/4" x 5-11/16 x 1-3/4" Format Name: VX Notes: Format unique to Quasar Great Time Machine (VR-1000)
Cartrivision Format Tape width: 1/2 inch Dimensions: 7-1/4" x 6-5/8 x 1-1/2" Format Name: Cartrivision Notes: Most tapes likely to be bad.	Funai / Technicolor CVC Format Tape width: 1/4 inch Dimensions: 2-5/8" x 4-1/8 x 1/2" Format Name: CVC Notes:
V-cord I & V-Cord II Format Tape width: 1/2 inch Dimensions: 6-1/8" x 4-3/16 x 1" Format Name: V-Cord I and V-Cord II Notes:	3/4" U-Matic Format Tape width: 3/4 inch Dimensions: 5-1/2" x 8-11/16 x 1-1/4" Format Name: U-Matic or Umatic Notes:
3/4" U-Matic-S (Small) Format Tape width: 3/4 inch Dimensions: 4-13/16" x 7-1/4 x 1-1/4" Format Name: U-Matic S or Umatic S Notes: 2nd photo shows Sony KCA-1 small tape adapter	8mm / Hi-8 Format Videocassette Tape width: 8 millimeters Dimensions: 2-7/16" x 3-3/4 x 9/16"  Format Name: 8 millimeter, Hi-8 Notes:
Philips VCR Format Tape width: 1/2 inch Dimensions: 5-11/16" x 4-15/16" x 1-9/16" (14.4 cm x 12.55 cm x 4 cm) Format Name: "VCR Format" Notes: Sold mostly in Europe. Some in U.S.  (Info & Photos: Troy Walters)	Reserved for Betamax

VTRs listed by brand and formats:

• 1/4" - Akai & Roberts (Akai & Roberts machines are compatible. These were available in B/W and color.)
• 1/4" - Bauer Video Very small reels, probably less than four inch in diameter.
• 1/2" - Ampex EIAJ aka known as Instavision. Instavision never went into production. This format supported stereo sound tracks!
• 1/2" - Audiotronics EIAJ
• 1/2" - Concord pre-EIAJ (compatible with Panasonic pre-EIAJ) and EIAJ
• 1/2" - General Electric pre-EIAJ (compatible with Sony CV format)
• 1/2" - Hitachi / Shibaden EIAJ (Hitachi Denshi acquired Shibaden in the mid 70s. Some models may have been produced under either brand name.)
• 1/2" - Javelin EIAJ
• 1/2" - JVC EIAJ
• 1/2" - Panasonic EIAJ and pre-EIAJ
• 1/2" - Panasonic NV-3020C. EIAJ compatible in B/W. Unique format in color mode.
• 1/2" - RCA EIAJ (I know of one RCA surveillance deck in this format)
• 1/2" - Sanyo EIAJ
• 1/2" - Shibaden (totally unique format, sold under Apeco and Bell & Howell brand names. All inter-compatible.)
• 1/2" - Sony CV format and EIAJ
• 1/2" - Sony AV-5000 and AV-5000A. Special case. These models are both EIAJ compatible in B/W. They are not color compatible even with each other!
• 2/3" - Ikegami format. (Appears to have never been produced in any quantity)
• 3/4" - U-Matic format. Longest lived videocassette format. Developed in 1970, it is still in use today, over thirty years later.
• 1"    - Ampex type A format. Very popular for over ten years. Evolved into Type C format.
• 1"    - Asaca 1" Transverse Quadruplex. (Used in Japan for sure. Any in the west? Asaca rose from the ashes of Shibaden.)
• 1"    - IVC 700 / 800 format. (Most 1" IVC machines are compatible. Maybe.)
• 1"    - JVC (KV-2 and KV-600. No other info available.)
• 1"    - Panasonic (NV-204, NV-504 & NV-505. Don't know if they are compatible. Probably.)
• 1"    - Siemens SIRECORD format. Also sold under the Grundig brand. Unique format used in high bandwidth medical imaging.
• 1"    - Shibaden (SV-727 is the only model I know in this format.)
• 1"    - Sony (EV/UV format. All machines in this series are compatible.)
• 1"    - Type B format. Machines made by Bosch and Ampex. Not a small format, not covered here.
• 1"    - Type C format. Many manufacturers. Not a small format, not covered here.
• 2"    - Ampex (VR-660 and VR-1500. Somewhat inter-compatible. A 660B will play the tape from a 1500 I think.)
• 2"    - IVC-9000 format. Not a small format. Not covered here.
• 2"    - Sony (PV series. Used on American Airlines in the 1960s. Unique format. Two inch tape, small reel spindle.)
• 2"    - Quadruplex format. Not a small format. Not covered here. See: Tim Stoffel's Quadruplex Park.