Canon A1 Professional Hi-8 Video Camera

Canon developed the A1 with the Hi8 video standard after various companies reached agreement upon and announced the high-band recording system for 8mm camcorders in 1988. Targeted at advanced amateurs and pros, the A1 offered high-quality sound adopting a new FM stereo standard as well as extensive manual functions. This advanced camcorder also had a fully automatic mode, allowing even beginners to fully utilize its features. The PAL camcorder A1Hi was the high-end model with high resolution, providing the same main functions as NTSC A1. The A1Hi was the first Hi8 camcorder to be developed for the European market (France).