lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (12/01/83)
I could write screens-full on this topic, but I'll keep it simple and only mention one of the primary points that video professionals often discuss. The Beta format is actually a scaled-down version of the heavily used and proven U-MATIC 3/4 inch cassette format (used primarily in professional broadcast and other industrial applications). The format provides an almost complete "wrap" around the video drum (greater than 270 degrees, as I recall) which means that tape tension is distributed over a long segment of tape with no "sharp" tape turns. On the other hand, VHS (Video HOME System) only provides about a 180 degree wrap, and has 2 *very* sharp turns for the tape on each side of the drum. The end result is that VHS is "rougher" on the tape, which results in more long-term instability in recordings -- e.g. the tapes you recorded a year ago will have more problems when played back if recorded on VHS than Beta, all else being equal. There are short-term effects as well. One obvious effect of the "rougher" handling of VHS is evidenced by the fact that VHS machines always withdraw the tape back into the cassette for rewind or regular fast forward operations (making editing [even of the simple variety] almost impossible on home units), while Beta leaves the tape on the drum for such operations and thusly doesn't have VHS's problem of losing edit index points. VHS simply *cannot* move the tape too quickly given the sharp turns in the tape path. As I mentioned above, there are numerous other points, but this is one of the most important factors. --Lauren--