[forkstriker4]

There are numerous consumer (and professional) analog video formats including VHS, S-VHS, 8mm, and Hi8. All of these formats record their audio tracks most commonly in an analog format. Wouldn't this mean that the audio from these formats could be recorded in sample rates in upwards of 48 kHz and bit depths in upwards of 16 bits?

This would mostly apply to audio from camcorders and non-broadcast sourced video, as the audio could then be assured that it was not captured from a digital source. I say "non-broadcast sourced video" because audio recorded from cable television broadcasts may come from a digital source (converted into an analog signal before it reaches the viewer), and also audio recorded from satellite/digital cable DEFINITELY has a digital source.

Sure, a hi-fi audio track may not exceed 20 kHz and a monaural audio track may not exceed 12 kHz (both according to their specifications), but do multi-generation cassette tapes and tape reels always reach 20 kHz in accordance to actual content (not noise)? No. So, why can't analog audio tracks sourced from consumer analog video formats also be preserved in the same manner that other analog audio formats are?

There are numerous other points that could be made and considered (such as microphone frequency response and the frequency response of the human ear), however, this is the basis of my thoughts.

What are your thoughts on this? Why do you support or not support this?