3 definitions by EricICX
The term "cassette" commonly refers to an Compact Cassette (tape), but can be used for any shell that holds a spool and take-up reel of magnetic tape. For example, VHS tapes can also be called cassettes because they contain a spool and take-up reel inside of a plastic shell.
The more compact cassette format replaced bulky open-reel tapes for most applications, except the high-end music market.
by EricICX September 30, 2018
Magnetic tape, commonly referred to as just tape, is very thin plastic tape coated across the length of it with a magnetic substance. For example, it could be coated with iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) or chromium dioxide (CrO₂). Both of these formulas were used in the compact cassette, or cassette tape, a format that stored audio signals on this magnetic tape, running past stationary tape heads at a speed of 1.875 inches per second. Magnetic tape was also used on video recording formats such as VHS, Video2000, and Betamax. It is also used in the high-end recording market, and there it is called reel-to-reel tape.
Tape can also be used as a slang term for recording something on tape (For an example, see below)
Tape can also be used as a slang term for recording something on tape (For an example, see below)
I have so many tapes, now I can listen to all kinds of music!
Most VHS tapes contain 246 meters of magnetic tape, all wound up on a spool.
Extra:
Person 1: Hey, can you record (program x)?
Person 2: Sure! I'll tape (program x) on (device of choice)
Most VHS tapes contain 246 meters of magnetic tape, all wound up on a spool.
Extra:
Person 1: Hey, can you record (program x)?
Person 2: Sure! I'll tape (program x) on (device of choice)
by EricICX September 29, 2018
In the late '70s and early '80s, a format war ensued between two video cassette formats, VHS and Betamax. These two competing standards for recording video onto cassettes both tried to make their format look as good as possible. Betamax arguably had better picture quality, according to many experts, but VHS won mainly because of it's longer recording time and cheaper recorder price.
So, Betamax lost the format war. But many professional recorders leaned toward Betamax because of its better picture quality compared to VHS. It didn't fade into obscurity right away, but when VHS achieved near total dominion, it was mostly forgotten. On a standard L-500 tape, a Betamax recorder could record 1 hour with Beta 1 recording speed, and 2 hours with Beta 2 speed. VHS, on the other hand, could record 2 hours on SP (the equivalent of Beta 1) and 4 hours on LP (the equivalent of Beta 2). This short recording time, combined with a variety of other factors like less advanced timers, caused the downfall of Betamax.
Since the main purpose of owning a videocassette recorder was timeshifting, or recording programs to watch at a specific time, the timer and recording length were very important. Betamax had neither of these going in their favor, so it lost the fairly drawn-out format war.
Betamax was developed by Sony, and was first to market, but eventually, even though a very big company had a first-to-market advantage, they still lost because of the fatal flaws the product had.
So, Betamax lost the format war. But many professional recorders leaned toward Betamax because of its better picture quality compared to VHS. It didn't fade into obscurity right away, but when VHS achieved near total dominion, it was mostly forgotten. On a standard L-500 tape, a Betamax recorder could record 1 hour with Beta 1 recording speed, and 2 hours with Beta 2 speed. VHS, on the other hand, could record 2 hours on SP (the equivalent of Beta 1) and 4 hours on LP (the equivalent of Beta 2). This short recording time, combined with a variety of other factors like less advanced timers, caused the downfall of Betamax.
Since the main purpose of owning a videocassette recorder was timeshifting, or recording programs to watch at a specific time, the timer and recording length were very important. Betamax had neither of these going in their favor, so it lost the fairly drawn-out format war.
Betamax was developed by Sony, and was first to market, but eventually, even though a very big company had a first-to-market advantage, they still lost because of the fatal flaws the product had.
In 1980, a customer has to decide between a Betamax or VHS VCR.
Customer: "Hmmm... Should I get the more expensive Betamax machine with a less advanced timer, more expensive tapes, less recording time per tape, a smaller library, and better picture quality, or the VHS machine that is less expensive, has a larger movie library, cheaper tapes, more recording time per tape, but worse picture quality?"
"Betamax is dead, long live VHS!"
Customer: "Hmmm... Should I get the more expensive Betamax machine with a less advanced timer, more expensive tapes, less recording time per tape, a smaller library, and better picture quality, or the VHS machine that is less expensive, has a larger movie library, cheaper tapes, more recording time per tape, but worse picture quality?"
"Betamax is dead, long live VHS!"
by EricICX September 30, 2018