Hi8 was the higher-resolution version of Video8. Hi8 was introduced to compete with the VHS-equivalent S-VHS. Both formats boasted 400 lines of horizontal resolution, which put them in the (lower) range of broadcast quality. Hi8 camcorders were popular with amateur enthusiasts and were also used in television productions which required lightweight portable equipment. Hi8, like S-VHS, used a combination of higher-grade tape and improved recording mechanisms to increase bandwidth. Recording lengths were 30, 60 and 120 minutes.
Later versions of Hi8 included PCM digital audio and XR capability which slightly increased picture quality. Hi8 was eventually replaced by Digital8 and MiniDV.

The Digital8 format, also known as D8, was introduced in the late 1990s and replaced Sony's analog Video8 and Hi8 formats.
Digital8 is a transition format which is a compromise between the digital MiniDV format and Sony's existing 8mm formats. Digital8 uses the same digital codec as MiniDV but in the traditional 8mm cassette tape. Digital8 is backwards-compatible with previous 8mm formats which is an advantage for existing Sony users.
Digital8 is not a strong player in the digital video market — MiniDV is dominant.