Sony Takes Axe to Betamax

[John Corn]

What VHS couldn't do, digital did. Sony Corp's Betamax video tape recorder, which famously lost the 1980s video format war but held on for decades as a niche product, will finally be laid to rest after digital formats delivered a death blow to its prospects.

Sony said on Tuesday it would only make 2,000 more Betamax machines before discontinuing the product altogether, ending its 27-year history -- spent mostly in the shadow of the Matsu****a group's rival VHS format.


Full Story (http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=technologynews&StoryID=1376022)

[Geronimo]

I have not seen one in years I thought the eend had come. Where were they sold?

[gcutler]

I believe that the TV networks and news shows and such used them because of the higher quality over VHS. So they were probably sold via professional equipment vendors?

[Chris Blount]

I still have my Sony Super-Beta machine that I bought back in 1987. Still works great. The only thing I had to replace were the heads about 3 years ago. Right now I have it hooked up to my Dish 6000 receiver to record downconverted HDTV programs. The picture quality is still amazing.

I didn't know Sony was still making them. I might have to pick one up just to hold me over for another 15 years.

[James_F]

Originally posted by gcutler
I believe that the TV networks and news shows and such used them because of the higher quality over VHS. So they were probably sold via professional equipment vendors?

I think you are confusing BETAMAX with BETACAM which TV networks use.  The formats are very different.

[PeterB]

Now if we can get rid off all of the other lousy Sony created formats, Mini-disc, Memory Stick, PS2 :D

[James_F]

Don't forget the compact disc and DVD! :rolleyes:

[Geronimo]

TV stations and thike have traditioanlly used a third format.

[zuma hans]

Third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

We're on our third Sony pro beta format: digital. And verrrrrry good.

Probably the last tape format we'll ever use ... hard disc-based recording is next.

[Chris Blount]

Originally posted by zuma hans
Third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

We're on our third Sony pro beta format: digital. And verrrrrry good.

Probably the last tape format we'll ever use ... hard disc-based recording is next. You mean Sony hasn't come up with an HDTV tape based format?

[Martyva]

That VCR has not been available, from Sony, for over a year and a half. The press release is either late or for world wide consumption.

[PeterB]

Originally posted by James_F
Don't forget the compact disc and DVD! :rolleyes:

Nope, Sony had a role in the introduction of these mediums, but in no way the "creator"

Philips is really the creator of the CD, they hold (or held many should have expired by now) the majority of the patents. Philips brought Sony on board to develop consumer devices because they were turned down by Philips' first choice Matsu****a. (SP??)

(the 2 went on to fail miserably together on Philips' DCC product)

DVD was created by a group of companies, Sony is in no way the entire creator of the format. Just one of many. Toshiba, Matsuwhatever, Philips, JVC and others were all involved in the media that eventually got to carry the DVD banner.


Yeah, Im a Sony hater. They get accolades, credit, and respectability they hardly deserve, while at the same time selling (usually) inferior products at a higher price than the competition and people still buy it, then always have to defend their purchases.

[Martyva]

The largest royalties on DVDs are paid to Time Warner, double that of other companies.

[James_F]

Sony and Philips created the CD together. Philips had the origonal idea, but brought sony in. Both Sony and Philip admit on their web sites that they are Co-Creators. They also co-created the DVD format with Philps.

Don't get me wrong, I hate most Sony formats, but without Sony CDs would not exist. You are absolutly correct about Mini-disc, Memory Stick and DAT.

Sony also created the 3.5 inch floppy disk.

http://www.sony.co.jp/en/Products/DataMedia/its/timeline.html

Maybe they weren't the sole creator on many of these products, but you must give them credit.