sxnahm@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Nahm) (01/22/84)
I have been thinking of buying a Beta VCR, due to it's
reported technical superiority over VHS. However, on NPR last
night some video guru (or maybe he was a business analyst) was
being interviewed, and he implyed that Beta was on the way
out due to VHS's dominance in the market (he reported 25% Beta,
75% VHS). He suggested that the primary reason Sony hasn't thrown
the towel in already is because they would "lose face," which
would be terrible for a Japanese company.
Does anyone on the net have any opinions on this? I really don't
want to buy a machine that will find itself being phased out. I believe
that if Sony does call it quits on Beta, the video software industry
would also. How close do you think this is?
Steve Nahm
{decvax,linus,wjh12}!bbncca!sxnahm
sxnahm@bbn-unix5121cdd@houxm.UUCP (01/23/84)
I seriously doubt that Sony will drop the Beta format. It is true that Sony did develop the Beta format, and that it is technically superior to VHS (Beta is based on the pro 3/4" U-Matic format and is much less demanding on the tape -- fewer harsh bends, etc), however, it is also true that Sony developed the VHS format. Sony licenses the rights to the other manufacturers to produce VHS VCRs. It is clear that Sony made a choice as to which format has a future and has "stayed the course". Also, Sony has just developed Beta Hi-Fi whichs adds excellent quality audio capability to the video -- VHS Hi-Fi is slated to come out shortly, but, again, it is not quite as good as the Beta Hi-Fi. Interestingly enough, Nakamichi has bought into the Beta Hi-Fi approach and is reportedly planning to market their own models. I doubt that the video "guru" (or business analyst) was much of either -- 25% of a multi billion dollar industry is non-trivial. I personally own a Sony SL-2000 (VCR) and TT-2000 (Tuner/Timer) and have had both excellent luck and results. I, however, mainly use the SL-2000 as a storage medium for digital audio using the Sony PCM-F1. Craig Dory AT&T Bell Laboratories Holmdel, NJ
walsh@ihuxi.UUCP (01/24/84)
I can't believe Beta is going the way of the dinosaur already. I just
bought a Sony VCR last summer at a store that sold ONLY Beta (not just
Sony Beta). According to the shop owner, Beta is more popular on the east
and west coasts than VHS, and VHS is more popular in the midwest. Now,
of course this guy was prejudiced, but he must have had some reason for
only selling Beta. He cited better performance, and I prefer the smaller
cartridge size. I really don't understand why VHS ever became more popular.
I also bought Beta because of this Sony model, which is front-loading, with
wireless remote and is only 2 1/2 inches high. Compared to this model, all the
others look like Gargantuan, outdated monsters.
So many companies make Beta (not just Sony!) and so many stores sell them,
there's no way they can be going under. Even the rental places around this
area have equal numbers of Beta and VHS tapes (which wasn't true last year).
Now, with the new Sony camera/recorder combo (great!), they should become
even more popular.
And finally, the last Consumer Reports issue that reviewed recorders said
Beta had been superior to VHS in the early days, and VHS has caught up.
Well, I'll go with the guys that were out in front first.
"Love my Sony",
B. Walshwwb@ihuxn.UUCP (01/24/84)
Sony developed the VHS format for home video recorders. When it didn't meet their quality requirements, they went back to the drawing board and developed Beta. After they introduced Beta format products, they licensed the VHS patents to other manufacturers. Doesn't that say it all? Walt Barnes ...!ihuxn!wwb
jeh@ritcv.UUCP (01/24/84)
I beleive that the Beta minority (of consumers, that is) is VERY loyal
to their format, and too many people will buy nothing but Sony because
of its reputation. If you want a more learned opinion, try to find a
copy of last month's VIDEO magazine. They have an article about
Zenith throwing in the towel, but it's really about VHS vs Beta in
general.
I also think that the question is moot, because 8mm will eventually
dominate both current formats (although I think Kodak was a bit
premature).
Jim Heliotis
{allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!jeh
rocksvax!ritcv!jeh
ritcv!jeh@Rochestersteve@bmcg.UUCP (01/24/84)
I don't believe Sony, et al, will ever drop the Beta formats... The format is too far widely used within professional video industry for it too disappear... Also, expect to see the Beta share of the market go up some due to the new Beta Hi-Fi format... It is INCREDIBLE as far as sound reproduction... I intend to buy a Beta machine in the near future and so do a lot of other people that I work with... (I am looking at the 2700 Hi-Fi unit) steve cary sdcsvax!bmcg!steve
marla@ssc-vax.UUCP (Marla S Baer) (01/25/84)
[] When we bought our VCR (two weeks ago) we wound up buying VHS, even though the BETA format machines were significantly cheaper. EVERY salesman we spoke to, including one at a store that only sold BETA informed us that BETA was on the way out. The general concensus (sp) was that BETA would behave like 8-tracks, still available, but in limited quantity and quality. Marla S. Baer ssc-vax!marla
rlr@pyuxn.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (01/26/84)
re: professional video cassette formats Neither Beta nor VHS are extensively used in "professional" video applications. The original 3/4" video cassette format is the U-Matic format. I don't have specifics on tape speeds, etc. but it is certainly higher quality. By the way SONY pioneered all three (U-Matic [3/4"], Beta and VHS [1/2"]) formats. -- Pardon me for breathing... Rich Rosen pyuxn!rlr
smq@hlhop.UUCP (Steven M. Queriolo) (01/26/84)
Everyone is crediting Sony with the initial work on VHS format as well as Beta work. I know that they did the early work on Beta, but I have read the JVC pioneered VHS. I have the reference at home and will post a followup. Anyone else here this? -- Steven M. Queriolo AT&T Bell Labs, Short Hills hlhop!smq
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher) (01/26/84)
I believe that JVC holds the original VHS licenses, not Sony. Also, I think that JVC was a pioneer in the 3/4" U-Matic format. As to whether VHS-HiFi will be as good as Beta-HiFi, the articles I've seen in Video Review, indicate basically identical specs. There WAS a rumor that SONY was considering dropping Beta, but this was perhaps unfounded, and based on the true news that Zenith is converting their line from Beta to VHS. Sanyo is also covering their bets by selling both Beta and VHS. It IS true that VHS-HiFi offers greater engineering challenges, due to the shorter length of tape that is wrapped around the head drum in the VHS format. Time will tell if that extra challenge will be met, and if VHS-HiFi really performs as well as Beta Hi-Fi. Bob Schleicher ihuxk!rs55611 AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, Ill.