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From: brown@nicmad.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: VHS vs Beta (#'s please!)
Message-ID: <334@nicmad.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 31-Aug-85 11:38:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: nicmad.334
Posted: Sat Aug 31 11:38:20 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 2-Sep-85 04:25:11 EDT
References: <97300002@hplabs> <12000003@ccvaxa>
Reply-To: brown@nicmad.UUCP (Mr. Video)
Organization: Nicolet Instrument Corp. Madison WI
Lines: 29

In article <12000003@ccvaxa> preece@ccvaxa.UUCP writes:
>The shorter tape is better for most purposes, assuming that the cost
>per minute of taping is equivalent.  If I were using a VCR for time
>shifting I would prefer to put one item on each tape, thereby avoiding
>storage fragmentation and rewind waiting.  Similarly for keeping copies
>of movies or tv shows.  The only advantage to the longer lengths
>are (1) cost per minute (I don't really know what the comparison is
>between VHS, Beta, and 8mm, but in a given format the longer tape
>should be cheaper per minute because of reduced packaging), and
>(2) usefulness during extended absences.  Clearly, if you want to
>tape Dr. Who every night for two weeks, a two hour tape is too short.
>On the other hand, a two hour tape should just about handle one
>complete Dr. Who sequence...  I do think that two hours is a little
>too short, though, because quite a few movies do run over that time;
>if two hours is really the most they can cram into the package, a lot
>of movies will need two tapes, which is a drag.

VHS: One 4 part Dr Who will fit without any trouble onto a T120 at the
     SP speed.  For quality reasons, LP or SLP/EP speed is not even considered.
     For 6 part Dr Who stories and movies longer than 2:02, use a T160.
Beta: Two 4 part Dr Who stories will fit onto a L750, at the Beta II speed.
      Since it is about 3 horus long, the L750 will hold a long movie.
      The L750 does create the problem that you mentioned, in that it will
      hold more than one program and will require the winding and rewinding
      to find the program you want.  The L500 is shorter, but harder to come
      by in some areas.
-- 

Mr. Video   {seismo!uwvax!|!decvax|!ihnp4}!nicmad!brown