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 29, 2018
Get the Betamax mug.When you flash your high-beams at a passing car in order to warn them of (usually hidden) police presence nearby.
Jackie: Why'd that guy flash his high-beams at you?
Zach: He's giving me the high-beam heads-up. The 5-0 must be checking speeds up the street.
Zach: He's giving me the high-beam heads-up. The 5-0 must be checking speeds up the street.
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It was Beamerball at its best when the Hokies blocked WVU's feild goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown.
by HokieFan November 9, 2004
Get the Beamerball mug.1: Etna's second special attack in the Disgaea series.
2: A line from the song "Koi no Dance site", from Morning Musume.
3: The move Heather uses when she equips the Transform costume to turn to magic "Princess Heart",from Silent Hill 3
4: Jessica's Sex Appeal move from Dragon Quest 8
2: A line from the song "Koi no Dance site", from Morning Musume.
3: The move Heather uses when she equips the Transform costume to turn to magic "Princess Heart",from Silent Hill 3
4: Jessica's Sex Appeal move from Dragon Quest 8
1: Sexy Beam: It's powerful but is it sexy?
2: Sexy Beeeeeam
3: SEKUSHI BEAMU!
4: Sexy Beam: Focus the power of passion into a beam that sows destruction and confusion.
2: Sexy Beeeeeam
3: SEKUSHI BEAMU!
4: Sexy Beam: Focus the power of passion into a beam that sows destruction and confusion.
by Kaze Touzoku June 20, 2008
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Mother-in-law: Laura, why the hell did you bring up your douchebag husband to the family reunion?!
You: Beam me up, Scotty!
You: Beam me up, Scotty!
by InfectedBoot July 2, 2009
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Get the Beamage mug.A piece of hair that partially covers a guy's pee hole, causing urine to go in two different directions.
Guy 1: Dude, why is there piss all around the toilet?
Guy 2: Sorry bro, I had a beam splitter and it went everywhere.
Guy 1: I hate when that happens, but its still kind of cool.
Guy 2: Sorry bro, I had a beam splitter and it went everywhere.
Guy 1: I hate when that happens, but its still kind of cool.
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