Betamax

electronics

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June 22, 2026

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Betamax was a videocassette format developed by Sony Corporation in the 1970s. It was one of the first convenient and relatively low-cost home videocassette recorders (VCRs). Betamax used 0.5-inch (13 mm) wide magnetic tape, similar to the competing VHS format. However, the two systems were incompatible, meaning a tape recorded on one could not be played on the other. While Betamax offered high picture quality, VHS eventually became more popular due to longer recording times. The Betamax system is now considered obsolete.123

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videocassette recorder
…the subsequent development of the Betamax format by Sony and the VHS format by the Matsushita Corporation in the 1970s, videocassette recorders became sufficiently inexpensive to be purchased by millions of families for use in the home. Both the VHS and Betamax systems use videotape that is 0.5 inch (13…
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…the subsequent development of the Betamax format by Sony and the VHS format by the Matsushita Corporation in the 1970s, videocassette recorders became sufficiently inexpensive to be purchased by millions of families for use in the home. Both the VHS and Betamax systems use videotape that is 0.5 inch (13…
Read More

Morita Akio
…home use, but Sony’s version, Betamax (Beta), was soon overwhelmed by the more popular VHS version; it was some time before Morita was willing to allow Sony to shift to the industry standard of VHS. After the Beta problem, however, Morita concluded that Sony must forge partnerships with other electronics…
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…home use, but Sony’s version, Betamax (Beta), was soon overwhelmed by the more popular VHS version; it was some time before Morita was willing to allow Sony to shift to the industry standard of VHS. After the Beta problem, however, Morita concluded that Sony must forge partnerships with other electronics…
Read More