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--
lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (09/01/84)
There are numerous technical reasons why Beta (the scaled-down version of the professional U-MATIC system) is better than the Video Home System. However, rather than rehash it all again (it's been discussed here endlessly over the years) I'll point out one specific fact--the Beta load path puts much less strain on tapes than VHS. That's the main reason why you can rewind and fast forward on most Beta machines without forcing an unload of the tape into the cassette, unlike VHS. Every time you unload, you lose your edit points, and you can't stay in pause for very long on any machine, so in general Beta will be better when any sort of semi-clean editing is desired. Also, for the same recording speed, Beta-recorded tapes will last longer before timing (tracking) degeneration, and inter-machine compatibility problems, begin to occur. Once again, this is due to the Beta loading path which puts much less tension on the tape during every use (compared with VHS)... --Lauren--
kevin@amdcad.UUCP (Kevin OwWing) (09/07/84)
Just now considering a video recorder and not really
knowing anything about the two formats, I would like
to receive as much info on BETA vs. VHS (and HIFI stuff)
as people are willing to MAIL me. I assume its been
talked about over and over and over on the net...
Thanx much.
Kevin Ow-Wing @ AMDCAD (408) 749-2354
UUCPnet: {ihnp4,amd,gatech,resonex}!amdcad!kevin
US MAIL: 901 Thompson Pl.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Mail Stop 144boyajian@akov68.DEC (Jerry Boyajian) (09/27/84)
I apparently missed the original article to which Jeff (Moriarty) Meyer was responding. Jeff made some good responses, but I have a few things to add. Since all this happened ~2 weeks ago (I've been busy lately), I'll quote from the original article (as already quoted by Jeff) [>>], as well as some of Jeff's comments [>] >> Every aspect of Beta makes >> it obvious to me that Sony was just trying to push something >> out the door before VHS got to market. > Please read the case histories.... VHS was built after Beta had been out > on the market for about a year.... The companies that designed the VHS > VCRs had to get around the patent rights placed by Sony.... This is not strictly true, though after the initial development of the VHS system, the VHS manufacturers had to make sure that they didn't step on Sony's patents. Why isn't it strictly true that VHS had to be designed around Sony's Beta system? Well, tell me: who do you think created the VHS system in the first place? JVC? No. Matsushita? No. Sony? Yes. Indeedy. When Sony was doing research into creating a home VCR, their crack teams of engineers tried many different paths. When all of the chaff was eliminated, they were left with the Beta and VHS formats. It was eventually decided that the Beta format had better engineering behind it, so they went with that, and sold the patent on VHS to the other companies, who were responsible for building the hardware and refining the system. So it is *not true* that Sony tried to beat VHS to the marketplace! >> More: All Beta cassettes are CHROME. VHS gets the same quality >> from Normal tape. All Beta's use Dolby. > Both blatently false. I have a non-Dolby Beta system at home that does not > use Chrome tapes. Furthermore, I have never heard of a Beta system whatsoever that uses Dolby. On the other hand, it seems to me that the VHS Stereo system was rushed out to try for a holding action against the Beta Hi-Fi until the VHS Hi-Fi was ready. Considering that the VHS system took the thin strip of tape at the edge normally used for a mono soundtrack and split it into two channels for stereo, using Dolby was the only way to acheive minimum standards of audio quality. >> Is it any wonder that more movies are available in VHS format? >> The Sony Betamax sells for the same reason that the IBM PC sells--some >> people don't look any further than the name plate. > This is what annoyed me most about the article. Please, from now on, > restrain the insults; they do no one any good, and lower other people's > opinion of you as an objective observer. In addition, it makes for a no-win situation. The fact that some Big Name com- panies make excellent products seems to be beside the point. If you decide to buy said Big Name's product because you think it's the best, you get accused by the detractors of only choosing it because of the name. --- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Maynard, MA) UUCP: {decvax|ihnp4|allegra|ucbvax|...}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-akov68!boyajian ARPA: boyajian%akov68.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch) (08/27/85)
From various contributors: << My primary concern is the availability of movies in the Beta format. << Would I be making a mistake in buying the Beta deck? ** >5. There are video shops in the local area with lots of Beta tapes (not as many as VHS but plenty enough). *** >> . . .(or you happen to have friends and video stores nearby >> that have BETA), >> you are better off with VHS because of its overwhelming >> popularity now. *** >Well, that depends on the area. Beta is doing quite well out here, and >I've heard of a lot of people who are now buying beta (either hifi or >super beta). The video stores seem to have a better selection in beta >than vhs, especially on friday nights. From me: When I lived in Chicago, the major video stores I patronized had about equal stocks of Beta and VHS. There were some VHS-only outlets, but these were primarily stores that rented movies as a sideline (e.g. record stores or camera stores) I moved to New Jersey last year, and found that all but one store in the area carry VHS only. At the one store that carries Beta, Beta makes up about one-third of the inventory, and movie rentals there are expensive ($5.25, as opposed to the $3 I was used to paying in Chicago). But I haven't found the reduced number of Beta tapes to be a problem, since I don't rent too frequently and I generally choose the more popular titles, which are available in both formats. The real plus is that since few other people have Beta machines, I can go to the store minutes before it closes on Saturday evening and be virtually assured that my first choice will be available! Carl Blesch