The rise and fall of BETAMAX - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dude111 · 07-22-2014, 11:59 AM

http://web.archive.org/web/200207020...ta_vs_vhs.html

Very interesting!!

I didnt know the reason BETAMAX failed before.........

Mace Dolex · 07-22-2014, 01:05 PM

My family had a Betamax for a few months before my dad traded it in for a VHS so I don't have the memories of ever experiencing the difference in Betamax.

If length was the issue then how could a 2-hour movie fit on a Betamax tape? did it take up 2 tapes?

Vahan · 07-22-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

My family had a Betamax for a few months before my dad traded it in for a VHS so I don't have the memories of ever experiencing the difference in Betamax.

If length was the issue then how could a 2-hour movie fit on a Betamax tape? did it take up 2 tapes?

When the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie F.I.S.T., a 145-minute film, was released by Magnetic Video in 1981, it was released on VHS and Beta formats. The VHS version was released as two tapes. But the Beta version was released as one entire tape.

comedyfreak · 07-23-2014, 12:05 AM

I was one of the suckers who bought a Beta machine instead of the VHS. To me quality wasn't there with the Beta and there were more movies on VHS. I ended up getting rid of my machine after a few months. I remember watching Zapped on Beta.

retrofan05 · 07-23-2014, 02:12 PM

We had a Betamax for a long time along with a VHS player. The VHS player was used for watching videos that we bought and we used the Betamax to record shows. I remember having a lot of kid shows recorded on Betamax.

born2late · 07-23-2014, 02:26 PM

My first machine was a Betamax. Still have it somewhere. Finally broke down & got a VHS when I saw the writing on the wall. The only reason I got the beta first was because the tapes were smaller, & was thinking of storage space.

Dude111 · 03-27-2021, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vahan

When the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie F.I.S.T., a 145-minute film, was released by Magnetic Video in 1981, it was released on VHS and Beta formats. The VHS version was released as two tapes. But the Beta version was released as one entire tape.

They do make VHS tapes that long that could handle all of that movie,I wonder why they put it on 2? (And only 1 BETA (Which are smaller))

Zoneboy · 03-27-2021, 05:49 AM

I always preferred beta to VHS, but no longer have my beta player and tapes. I now search for Sony betamax units at thrift stores to flip on eBay.

GentlemanJim · 03-27-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude111

http://web.archive.org/web/200207020...ta_vs_vhs.html

Very interesting!!

I didnt know the reason BETAMAX failed before.........

That is a very interesting article. I have always been fascinated with the way (sometimes) inferior products triumph in the marketplace over superior rivals. Microsoft in particular.

Personally, I recall making my decision to go VHS based upon availability in the tape rental stores. Beta had been reduced to a niche product by the time I was ready to buy a unit. And new releases might have one or two copies on Beta in the stores, while VHS would have 6-8, so waiting lists were shorter for VHS.

Dude111 · 03-28-2021, 01:00 AM

I havent ever seen a BETA recording....

Did BETA have all 3 speeds?? (SP/LP/SLP)

Flying Dutchman · 04-09-2021, 09:00 AM

I used to work on VCRs and one other thing, the article didn't mention. VHS has a moving head, that would wear out and cause damage to the servo, but Beta had a stable head that didn't move, which meant not nearly the same wear as VHS and less repairs. I replaced so many servos on VHS machines, practically building my business.

Dude111 · 04-10-2021, 06:11 PM

VHS and BETA are beautiful... They are the only way we have (easily anyway) to still enjoy analogue movies

biffbronson · 04-11-2021, 02:30 PM

The first recorder my family had was a top-loading Beta machine with a corded remote; I think it was a 1983 model, because it had a decal on it for the '84 Olympics.

No one knew back then that VHS would emerge as the dominant format -- I will say that Beta tapes are a little smaller and therefore take up a little less space.

1960'sTVfan · 04-11-2021, 03:10 PM

I've never had a Beta machine but over the years I've had several VHS VCR's. The first VHS VCR I had was a GE brand top loader, it was a nice machine and I got many years of good use from it but it eventually conked out and I had to junk it.

VHS VCR's with four heads are the best because they produce a better quality picture.

Dude111 · 08-12-2023, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I always preferred beta to VHS

How did Beta look ZB??

07-23-2014, 12:05 AM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I was one of the suckers who bought a Beta machine instead of the VHS. To me quality wasn't there with the Beta and there were more movies on VHS. I ended up getting rid of my machine after a few months. I remember watching Zapped on Beta.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

04-09-2021, 09:00 AM	#11
Flying Dutchman Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,266	I used to work on VCRs and one other thing, the article didn't mention. VHS has a moving head, that would wear out and cause damage to the servo, but Beta had a stable head that didn't move, which meant not nearly the same wear as VHS and less repairs. I replaced so many servos on VHS machines, practically building my business.
	__________________ Does anybody know the way to Atlantis?

04-10-2021, 06:11 PM	#12
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,389	VHS and BETA are beautiful... They are the only way we have (easily anyway) to still enjoy analogue movies
	Last edited by Dude111; 04-11-2021 at 05:58 PM.

07-22-2014, 11:59 AM	#1
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,389	http://web.archive.org/web/200207020...ta_vs_vhs.html Very interesting!! I didnt know the reason BETAMAX failed before.........

07-22-2014, 01:05 PM	#2
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,669	My family had a Betamax for a few months before my dad traded it in for a VHS so I don't have the memories of ever experiencing the difference in Betamax. If length was the issue then how could a 2-hour movie fit on a Betamax tape? did it take up 2 tapes?

07-23-2014, 02:12 PM	#5
retrofan05 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,111	We had a Betamax for a long time along with a VHS player. The VHS player was used for watching videos that we bought and we used the Betamax to record shows. I remember having a lot of kid shows recorded on Betamax.

07-23-2014, 02:26 PM	#6
born2late Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2011 Location: Tn Posts: 360	My first machine was a Betamax. Still have it somewhere. Finally broke down & got a VHS when I saw the writing on the wall. The only reason I got the beta first was because the tapes were smaller, & was thinking of storage space.

03-27-2021, 05:49 AM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,405	I always preferred beta to VHS, but no longer have my beta player and tapes. I now search for Sony betamax units at thrift stores to flip on eBay.

03-28-2021, 01:00 AM	#10
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,389	I havent ever seen a BETA recording.... Did BETA have all 3 speeds?? (SP/LP/SLP)

04-11-2021, 02:30 PM	#13
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	The first recorder my family had was a top-loading Beta machine with a corded remote; I think it was a 1983 model, because it had a decal on it for the '84 Olympics. No one knew back then that VHS would emerge as the dominant format -- I will say that Beta tapes are a little smaller and therefore take up a little less space.

04-11-2021, 03:10 PM	#14
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,112	I've never had a Beta machine but over the years I've had several VHS VCR's. The first VHS VCR I had was a GE brand top loader, it was a nice machine and I got many years of good use from it but it eventually conked out and I had to junk it. VHS VCR's with four heads are the best because they produce a better quality picture.