# Beta v. VHS **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 26, 1999, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774 "1999-04-26T12:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kid\_Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kid\_Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/21 "1999-08-24T07:09:00Z")
I was working at Circuit City during the days of the Beta/VHS wars and the truth is that tape length was the factor that killed Beta. The average consumer could only understand so much about VCR technology. But it was easy to compare recording capacity. If I remember correctly, the Beta machines would record up to 5 hours on a standard tape, compared to 6 hours for VHS. All the explanation of tape loading systems was lost compared to such an easy to understand comparison. Then, once the momentum went the way of VHS it was a downhill slide. Soon the ratio of rentals was on the side of VHS, and it was an endless circle of people buying more VHS because of more tape availability, and video rental stores stocking more VHS to cater to these customers, and people buying more VHS… (you get my drift) As for licensing… In the early 80’s, you could get Beta machines from Sony, Sanyo, or Toshiba. In fact Sanyo sold more Beta machines than Sony. And, until the Koreans got into the business of making VHS machines, you could get a Sanyo Beta VCR as cheaply as you could any VHS machine. ---
**Author:** ![bantmof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@bantmof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bantmof)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/22 "1999-08-24T08:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I still play 75 records! But, apparently, not enough to know that they are actually 78’s. 🙂 – peas on earth ---
**Author:** ![TheIncredibleHolg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@TheIncredibleHolg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheIncredibleHolg)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/23 "1999-08-24T09:51:00Z")
So, does this confirm my earlier suspicion, that no one outside Germany ever heard of Video 2000? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/24 "1999-08-24T11:53:00Z")
Pornography was the key. Sony controlled Beta and would not allow any porno videos. So everyone went to VHS and Beta died. That’s what I heard. * * * (Active link to commercial site deleted - Nickrz) [Note: This message has been edited by Nickrz] ---
**Author:** ![typertrphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@typertrphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typertrphy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/25 "1999-08-24T12:35:00Z")
Betamax and Betacam are NOT close. Don’t mistake the size of the tape for the imaging quality therein. Betamax offered superior image stability AND true stereo. Pity that it did not catch on… I am still looking for a reasonably priced combo-Laserdisk/CD player… Typer ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774/26 "1999-08-24T13:31:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Much of the above logic explains why Microsoft is so > dominant over Apple. Many feel that the Mac is > technically better, but Windows is so popular that it is > difficult to buck the tide. ## True. Of course, if one had been able to play VHS tapes on a BetaMax machine, even with caveats, there would probably still be a Beta market; and a new G3 _does_ do a solidly dependable if not blistering fast imitation of a Pentium [~160 MHz equiv] for whenever I really need a PC environment. Designated Optional Signature at Bottom of Post [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beta-v-vhs/2774.md?page=1)