eve@ssc-bee.UUCP (Michael Eve) (02/13/85)
Once again the Beta manufacturers have shown their determination to maintain a lock on second place in the BETA/VHS competition. According to EE Times, Feb. 4, the Beta manufacturers are limiting the incorporation of the Super Beta technology to their premium decks. The manufacturing changes necessary to go from Beta to Super Beta "should entail only minor changes...the price increases may be as low as $25 to $50 at retail." This sounds like a marketing strategy designed to protect existing Beta sales more than to capture market share from VHS. Why don't the Beta producers take a more agressive stance, and put Super Beta on all their new decks, from $300 on up? This is Beta's chance to regain some of the market with superior technology. But superior technology with shortsighted marketing will keep Beta in the basement. -- Mike Eve Boeing Aerospace, Seattle ...uw-beaver!ssc-vax!ssc-bee!eve
rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES) (02/13/85)
[] I thought super beta was compatible with beta-i.e., you could play both beta and super beta tapes on it. If so, it would be reasonable to put it on all models. On the other hand, when introducing something new, you need to start somewhere, and Sony often does its expensive things first or second. (SL-2700 was their second hi-fi model) Maybe that's all that is involved and they will get around to fixing them all eventually. -- "It's the thought, if any, that counts!" Dick Grantges hound!rfg