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From: cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Beta vs. VHS
Message-ID: <594@hlwpc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 16:04:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: hlwpc.594
Posted: Tue Aug 27 16:04:10 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Aug-85 08:57:37 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ
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From various contributors:
<< My primary concern is the availability of movies in the Beta format.
<< Would I be making a mistake in buying the Beta deck?
**
>5. There are video shops in the local area with lots of Beta tapes
   (not as many as VHS but plenty enough).
***
>> . . .(or you happen to have friends and video stores nearby
>> that have BETA),
>> you are better off with VHS because of its overwhelming
>> popularity now.
***
>Well, that depends on the area.  Beta is doing quite well out here, and
>I've heard of a lot of people who are now buying beta (either hifi or
>super beta).  The video stores seem to have a better selection in beta
>than vhs, especially on friday nights.

From me:
When I lived in Chicago, the major video stores I patronized had about
equal stocks of Beta and VHS.  There were some VHS-only outlets, but
these were primarily stores that rented movies as a sideline (e.g.
record stores or camera stores)

I moved to New Jersey last year, and found that all but one store in the
area carry VHS only.  At the one store that carries Beta, Beta makes up
about one-third of the inventory, and movie rentals there are expensive
($5.25, as opposed to the $3 I was used to paying in Chicago).
But I haven't found the reduced number of Beta tapes to be a problem,
since I don't rent too frequently and I generally choose the more popular
titles, which are available in both formats.
The real plus is that since few other people have Beta machines,
I can go to the store minutes before it closes on Saturday evening
and be virtually assured that my first choice will be available!

Carl Blesch