Historic tornado videos missing from youtube/the internet?

[AngelAndHisWx]

Earliest known digital videos of tornadoes, OTD 25 years ago:

 

[CheeselandSkies]

DV came out in 1995, so depending on exactly when in the year that was there could theoretically be videos going back to the '95 or '96 chase season, although unless they were captured to computer years ago it's probable the tapes would have degraded by now. Although, they do tend to hold up better over time than analog recordings on tape like VHS or Hi8.

 

[AngelAndHisWx]

DV came out in 1995, so depending on exactly when in the year that was their could theoretically be videos going back to the '95 or '96 chase season, although unless they were captured to computer years ago it's probable the tapes would have degraded by now. Although, they do tend to hold up better over time than analog recordings on tape like VHS or Hi8.

There’s also the caveat of DigiBeta (the digital variant of Betacam) being introduced in either 91 or 93 (can’t remember offhand exactly, it predates DV though), so maybe a news station could have incredibly early digital video. Theoretically yes miniDV video could exist from 1995-1997, however DV was still absurdly expensive, as is tradition for any new format (the VX1000 Jim Leonard was using in the video launched at $3000 in 1995 money, and even then he didn’t get his until after the 1997 season). I did hear someone had a DV camcorder for the 1997 season, but as of right now I have no idea who, and there’s always the chance whoever did have it didn’t film a tornado during the slow-ish 1997 season!