chris@leadsv.UUCP (Chris Salander) (12/10/85)
As this video battle cools off, I wanted to add the mail I got together with the net postings in one summary, because there were some things that were VERY consistent among the responses. About 45% were pro-Beta, about 45% pro-VHS and about 10% thought that 8mm would eventually change everything. Regardless of their preference, almost everyone agreed on these items: 1) If tape swapping is important, get VHS, due to the large numbers of people that have them. 2) If technical excellence is most important, buy Beta. 3) If tape length is important, buy VHS (w/ long tape times). 4) In all other things, systems for either format tend to be identical in all other respects within one year after a major innovation occurs. Most people were quite unsure about 8mm. Most people thought Beta would survive. Also, I have found that some stores have only Beta tapes available, since the VHS versions have all been rented. And stores tend to charge $100 less for Beta VCR's than for an identical VHS system. Why, I don't know. - Chris Salander