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Fun consumer electronics history: Why did Beta lose to VHS?

My family’s first VCR was a Beta machine. It took my dad years to get over choosing wrong. But Sony’s Beta seemed to be the way to go. I mean it debuted in 1975, a full 18 months before JVC unveiled VHS. So what happened? It was the greatest format war in history.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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One thought on “Fun consumer electronics history: Why did Beta lose to VHS?”

  • I remember having rented a Beta machine and asking electronic stores which was better (but I could not see a difference) I asked a tape rental store in Surry BC what I should buy. Owner said he had almost 800 VHS movies to rent and only 250 Beta, He asked what do you think? Sometime later I learned JVC was offering incentives to studios to release on VHS

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