by Mudit January 31, 2005
Get the betamaxed mug.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.Related Words
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Guy1 “Took my bird to that new Chinese restaurant last night”
Guy2 “Betamarsed”
Or
Guy1 “ Feeling pretty down today, my cat died yesterday”
Guy2 “ Bet I’m arsed at all mate”
Guy2 “Betamarsed”
Or
Guy1 “ Feeling pretty down today, my cat died yesterday”
Guy2 “ Bet I’m arsed at all mate”
by Betamarsed October 13, 2018
Get the Betamarsed mug.by Franklin W. Dickson October 21, 2009
Get the betamax mug.Men who are lower ranking in the social hierarchy and surrender their right to mate to alphamales, displaying their submission visually by widely opening their mouths and vocally through “yaaaaass!”
by Resicoi August 5, 2019
Get the Betamales mug.A faggot, who isn't liked by any. They are gay and try too much to play "Piano Man". He is rejected by many in highfives and props, the door hits him on the way out of a room
by linguinipasta November 6, 2017
Get the BetaMax mug.Used to describe the process by which technology is overtaken in the market by inferior but better marketed competition.
by Johnny Thirteen January 2, 2009
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