Analog wars: How long did the Betamax and VHS fight last? - Blu-ray Forum

domerdel · 08-02-2007, 08:54 PM

just curious to know how long betamax and vhs fought, before the marketshare for consumers leaned towards VHS?

DavePS3 · 08-02-2007, 08:57 PM

If memory serves me right... it took about a good 3 years before Beta geared down not only in hardware but software as well. I worked in a video rental store at the time. However, with those two formats, theat war didn't have the factor of Studio backing which we see here.

DavePS3 · 08-02-2007, 09:01 PM

I think it was 2 to 3 years for CD's to drown Cassettes too and about 2 years for DVD to take over Laserdisc but Laserdisc was a niche market because of the high price of machines and discs so it never really took off to mass appeal. Most people didn't even know what the Hell Laserdisc was, where to get the discs, others confused the technology with Videodiscs which were terrible.

DavePS3 · 08-02-2007, 09:07 PM

Incidentally... Beta was a superior format in terms of PQ and tape path but people saw VHS as the new cassette over LP's and 8-tracks. JVC also decided to license everone they could, to produce VHS machines. Quasar, Sears, Hitachi etc. etc.

dialog_gvf · 08-02-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domerdel

just curious to know how long betamax and vhs fought, before the marketshare for consumers leaned towards VHS?

1975 - First Betamax home recorder
1976 - VHS introduced
1981 - Betamax down to 25% market share
1985 - Down to 7.5%
1988 - Sony releases VHS recorders

A lot of factors were involved, which are split this time.

Lack of choice - Sony didn't license Betamax enough - This time: HD DVD
Higher price - Betamax was more expensive - This time: Blu-ray
Rentals - Betamax lost rental support - This time: HD DVD (Blockbuster)
No porn - Betamax refused porn - This time: Blu-ray (mainsteam won't replicate)

Gary

whippersnapper · 08-02-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

1975 - First Betamax home recorder
1976 - VHS introduced
1981 - Betamax down to 25% market share
1985 - Down to 7.5%
1988 - Sony releases VHS recorders

A lot of factors were involved, which are split this time.

Lack of choice - Sony didn't license Betamax enough - This time: HD DVD
Higher price - Betamax was more expensive - This time: Blu-ray
Rentals - Betamax lost rental support - This time: HD DVD (Blockbuster)
No porn - Betamax refused porn - This time: Blu-ray (mainsteam won't replicate)

Gary

Wow, it took Betamax 6 years to get down to 25% market share. It looks like HD-DVD may well achieve that lofty (or should I say low) goal THIS YEAR.

dialog_gvf · 08-02-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Wow, it took Betamax 6 years to get down to 25% market share. It looks like HD-DVD may well achieve that lofty (or should I say low) goal THIS YEAR.

Already was for discs, last week.

KenThompson · 08-02-2007, 10:50 PM

I was one of the unlucky ones who owned several Beta machines (5) and Laserdisc. Beta Hi-fi was nice and then upgraded again to super Beta etc. Had 2 laserdisc machines the first was a pioneer and then a Sony. Have been a Sony fan since early 80's.

dialog_gvf · 08-02-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenThompson

I was one of the unlucky ones who owned several Beta machines (5) and Laserdisc. Beta Hi-fi was nice and then upgraded again to super Beta etc. Had 2 laserdisc machines the first was a pioneer and then a Sony. Have been a Sony fan since early 80's.

Laserdisc was great. I don't regret owning it for one moment.

BLURAYSONYES · 08-02-2007, 11:27 PM

I still got my Pioneer DVD/Laserdisc player somewhere here. Got over 100+ LD titles as well. Looking to sell to ebay soon though.

-dan

Manco · 08-02-2007, 11:40 PM

Did You Know???

Sony and Universal knocked heads once before in the format wars. YES. Universal sued Sony over the Betamax technology claiming it would unfairly be used to make copies of copyrighted materal (TV shows). The Supreme Court ruled in Sony's favor and Universal lost the decision. If it were not for this decision, Home Theater would not exist today.

You can read a condensed version on Wikipeida:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Co..._Studios,_Inc..

Oddly enough, we find Universal again at the mercy of Sony in the latest format battle. Don't they learn??

"The Court also ruled that the manufacturers of home video recording devices, such as Betamax or other VCRs (referred to as VTRs in the case), cannot be liable for infringement. The case was a boon to the home video market as it created a legal safe haven for the technology, which also significantly benefited the entertainment industry through the sale of pre-recorded movies."

MouseRider · 08-03-2007, 07:16 AM

I agree with dialog_gvf, I never regretted owning a Laserdisc player, in fact, over the years, I've owned 6 different LD players and I still have 2 in operating condition and 1 still in my rack in my theater with hundreds of movies in my library.

When VHS was the mainstream medium, LD was the superior format.

It was unfortunate that Beta lost the war, it was technologically superior. What is very different this time around is Sony owns studios and has a huge film library to help its cause.

08-02-2007, 08:54 PM	#1
domerdel Active Member Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	Analog wars: How long did the Betamax and VHS fight last? just curious to know how long betamax and vhs fought, before the marketshare for consumers leaned towards VHS?

08-02-2007, 11:40 PM	#11
Manco Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Tucumcari	Did You Know??? Sony and Universal knocked heads once before in the format wars. YES. Universal sued Sony over the Betamax technology claiming it would unfairly be used to make copies of copyrighted materal (TV shows). The Supreme Court ruled in Sony's favor and Universal lost the decision. If it were not for this decision, Home Theater would not exist today. You can read a condensed version on Wikipeida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Co..._Studios,_Inc.. Oddly enough, we find Universal again at the mercy of Sony in the latest format battle. Don't they learn?? "The Court also ruled that the manufacturers of home video recording devices, such as Betamax or other VCRs (referred to as VTRs in the case), cannot be liable for infringement. The case was a boon to the home video market as it created a legal safe haven for the technology, which also significantly benefited the entertainment industry through the sale of pre-recorded movies." Last edited by Manco; 08-02-2007 at 11:43 PM.

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08-02-2007, 08:57 PM	#2
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	If memory serves me right... it took about a good 3 years before Beta geared down not only in hardware but software as well. I worked in a video rental store at the time. However, with those two formats, theat war didn't have the factor of Studio backing which we see here.

08-02-2007, 09:01 PM	#3
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I think it was 2 to 3 years for CD's to drown Cassettes too and about 2 years for DVD to take over Laserdisc but Laserdisc was a niche market because of the high price of machines and discs so it never really took off to mass appeal. Most people didn't even know what the Hell Laserdisc was, where to get the discs, others confused the technology with Videodiscs which were terrible.

08-02-2007, 09:07 PM	#4
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Incidentally... Beta was a superior format in terms of PQ and tape path but people saw VHS as the new cassette over LP's and 8-tracks. JVC also decided to license everone they could, to produce VHS machines. Quasar, Sears, Hitachi etc. etc.

08-02-2007, 10:50 PM	#8
KenThompson Power Member Member since:Sep 2006 Location:B.C. Canada	I was one of the unlucky ones who owned several Beta machines (5) and Laserdisc. Beta Hi-fi was nice and then upgraded again to super Beta etc. Had 2 laserdisc machines the first was a pioneer and then a Sony. Have been a Sony fan since early 80's.

08-02-2007, 11:27 PM	#10
BLURAYSONYES Banned Member since:May 2007 Location:Irvine, CA Blu-ray collection:157	I still got my Pioneer DVD/Laserdisc player somewhere here. Got over 100+ LD titles as well. Looking to sell to ebay soon though. -dan

08-03-2007, 07:16 AM	#12
MouseRider Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	I agree with dialog_gvf, I never regretted owning a Laserdisc player, in fact, over the years, I've owned 6 different LD players and I still have 2 in operating condition and 1 still in my rack in my theater with hundreds of movies in my library. When VHS was the mainstream medium, LD was the superior format. It was unfortunate that Beta lost the war, it was technologically superior. What is very different this time around is Sony owns studios and has a huge film library to help its cause.

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