Betamax tapes RIP

[Brianc]

Initially, Sony refused to license other manufacturers to use the Betamax format leaving Sony the only consumer choice whereas JVC let their format be used freely by others. This gave the consumers choice and many more VHS machines came onto the market. I looked after a couple of hundred VHS (JVC) and Betamax in a copy centre and I must say that the VHS machines proved to be more reliable. As to quality, in the analog audio days, the Betamax audio quality was dreadful although video-wise, it had the edge. I was always a fan of VHS.