lopresti@tilt.FUN (Dan Lopresti) (08/16/85)
I'm new to the video game and I'm trying to make that initial
VCR buying decision. There are two decks I'm attracted to: a standard
VHS deck for $300 (a Video Concepts/Mitsubishi) and a HiFi, Superbeta
Beta deck for $380 (a Sanyo). I would be using the machine about 50-50
for recording off the air and playing rented movies.
My primary concern is the availability of movies in the Beta format.
Would I be making a mistake in buying the Beta deck?
I would appreciate any comments, recommendations, facts, or rumors.
As an aside, I know of no other electronic component where so few
manufacturers produce so many different models. Panasonic alone seems
to make at least 40 different VCR's.
Dan Lopresti
princeton!tilt!loprestiwtm@bunker.UUCP (William T. McGarry) (08/22/85)
In <334@tilt.FUN>, Dan Lopresti asks: << I'm new to the video game and I'm trying to make that initial << VCR buying decision. << << My primary concern is the availability of movies in the Beta format. << Would I be making a mistake in buying the Beta deck? I just went through the same thing myself when I was buying my first VCR. I ending up buying a Sony Super Beta HFR70 for the following reasons: 1. Beta seemed to have a better picture than VHS and the Super Beta is even better than Beta. I dont know the specs to back me up on this - just my eyes. 2. Tape counter: The tape counter goes by hours, minutes and seconds so you know exactly how much there is on the tape and how much longer there is to go, etc. It seems to be very accurate. 3. Even though it does not have stereo capability on its own, there is an add-on stereo decoder. 4. The Sony name along with a one year guarantee. 5. There are video shops in the local area with lots of Beta tapes (not as many as VHS but plenty enough). 6. 2 speeds of slow motion and still. Since we eventually plan to get a camera, this was a must. The picture when frozen is excellent, better than any other that I saw. 7. Reasonable price: 47th Street Photo has them for $ 399. We were too impatient and bought it locally for $ 425. Hope this helps. Bill McGarry decvax!bunker!wtm