What Is Betamax?
The videotapes that were developed by Sony are called Betamax. These tapes are not used now but still they are used by some hobbyists. After their release in 1975, they met a fierce competition from JVC which developed the VHS system. There was a competition between the two for many years for dominance until VHS eventually won the competition of the video cassette. But now both of these systems are not used as there are better alternatives like DVD recorders, DVD players and service like Tivo which provide much better picture and sound quality.
The size of the Betamax tape was smaller than a VHS tape by a few inches. Beta players also used azimuth recording similar to VHS players in which a slight angling of recording heads is done in order to keep images, sounds and the like from bleeding together. Cross talk is another name given to it. Initially, the ability to watch a movie or record a TV program at home made Beta popular. Other electronic companies like Zenith, Pioneer, Aiwa and NEC started making their own betamax players and recorders.
But the VHS system had an edge over the Betamax. VHS system provided longer recording time which betamax was not able to duplicate immediately. Users were able to record two hours recording in case of VHS in VHS format. Users were able to record couple of hours of TV or film. But Beta was able to record only for one hour. That is why VHS was considered a preference over betamax, however both systems provided greater recording times.
Dispute over picture quality and price was also there between betamax and VHS. VHS recorders were less expensive and widely available as compared to Beta which was considered as a high end product. The price of first VCRs using VHS format was between $500-700 USD but the price of betamax was recorders was greater. Even though picture quality in both the systems was equal but initially people considered the picture quality of betamax better and for this reason they chose the costlier betamax. Even when both formats continued to produce and improve super versions still most people used standard machines and stick to picture quality that was not excellent.
People having money to spare spent it on laser disc devices in 1980s. But laser disc devices were not able to record. Until DVRs and DVD camcorders were not invented, this problem persisted.
The last VHS was produced in 2007 as both betamax and VHS lost the battle to DVDs. Although still you can purchase DVD/VHS combo machines as not everybody is ready to buy DVRs because of the cost involved. Also people want to play their own videotapes. You may be able to purchase it via eBay or may find them in garage sales or flea market. Some people like to buy them just for a collection like eight-track tape machines.
Category: Technology