Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxk.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: Bye bye Beta?
Message-ID: <544@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 26-Jan-84 16:03:32 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.544
Posted: Thu Jan 26 16:03:32 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Jan-84 01:42:20 EST
References: <196@iwu1c.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 14

The main reason I've heard for VHS capturing a larger share than Beta has
to do with a continued lead in terms of maximum play time from a single tape.
Beta I came out with 1 hr. max.  Then, the first VHS machines came out with
what is now SP mode, offering 2 hour play  (a real advantage, as movies now
fit).  SONY first countered with their add-on attachment that essentially
"stack-loads" two cassettes.  Later, Beta II caught up with VHS, offering
two hours.  Then VHS had SP/LP, giving 2/4 hrs.  Sony added Beta III.  VHS
added EP, or SLP, giving 6 hrs.  Sony finished up with a longer tape (now
the standard Beta length of L750, which gives times roughly like
3/5 hrs in Beta II/III.  VHS then countered with the T-160 tape, which changes
the 6 hour EP/SLP time to 8 hours.  

In general, VHS has always led Beta in play time.  Beta has always
led VHS in introduction of new technology improvements (for the most part)