Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxi.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxi!walsh
From: walsh@ihuxi.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: Bye-bye Beta?
Message-ID: <774@ihuxi.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Jan-84 16:14:37 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxi.774
Posted: Mon Jan 23 16:14:37 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jan-84 06:17:47 EST
References: <498@bbncca.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 24

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others look like Gargantuan, outdated monsters.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. Walsh