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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: Sony Betamax RIP
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Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!
Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 08-31-2002 01:20 PM
In the '80's there was a digital audio tape format that could record 2-track PCM on VHS, Beta, or 3/4" tape. There were standalone PCM recorders (Sony F-1) and PCM encoder/decoders that could use a VCR as a transport. Yes, this format used the helical tracks to get sufficient head writing speed to record 44.1kHz PCM on tape. Didn't know that MFSL actually released titles in this format. This format was used mostly by small studios and independent producers wanting an inexpensive way to get into digital recording or mastering, much like ADAT and S-VHS is used now. The major drawbacks to PCM recording at the time were the 2-track limitation and that editing was very glitchy without some fairly sophisticated (i.e. expensive) signal processing to ensure that the PCM frame pulses were always placed at the beginning of a video frame.The alternative to PCM was Delta Modulation which could also be recorded on VHS, Beta, or U-Matic tape and was much more forgiving to edit since DM didn't use framing pulses. Editing was as accurate as whatever edit controller one was using. Tascam, Fostex, and Otari made DM machines. Paul
Back in Orange and Long Beach for the weekend, making sushi... 
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Thomas Procyk
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1842
From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-01-2002 11:29 AM
Paul --Here's a link to MFSL VHS & Beta Audio Tapes "...They cost twice as much to make than their retail, so we made them for the hell of it, for the quality connection..." Find a company nowadays that can make that statement. =TMP=
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Bruce McGee
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1776
From: Asheville, NC USA... Nowhere in Particular.
Registered: Aug 1999
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posted 09-01-2002 09:04 PM
Why did I dislike (hate) the 3M tape?I bought a case of new T-120 HG tape and did not immediately use it. Actually it sat on the shelf for a year. When I finally opened each tape and made a recording, I found, after playback, that all I had for an image was snow. The oxide was allover the video, and ctl heads. The recording was irreplaceable. My cousins wedding. Too bad. Yes, I bought the tape because all the vid magazines were raving over the stuff. My dealer didn't want to help me, since it had been a bit over a year since my purchase. 3M offered to replace or refund my money. I took the refund. This was the one time that I was really counting on the product, and it failed miserably. This all happened in 1987. Perhaps "Hate" is a bit strong. Dislike is more like it.
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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-02-2002 03:10 AM
I have had very good luck with this tape.  I have two JVC Hi-Fi HR-S4700U VCR's. They are equipped with flying erase heads and do a beautiful job of editing, right down to the gnat's butt. These machines are close to 11 years old now, and I certainly don't want to stuff any peanut butter-jelly sandwiches in them. 3M Tapes are good, but just like any other brand, you have to get the top-of-the line tape. The rest are  . There was how many different ones...I can't remember. Let's see...EX, HGX Gold, XL-HiFi, RX-Pro, XR-S, SX, XR, EHG, PRO-HiFi, S-XG, S-XZ,
SG, SHG, Poop, More Poop, - where does it stop? Of course, you have the Radio Shack stuff that flys apart and plugs up the heads, and some stuff that just won't run. My favorites: JVC S-XZ
JVC S-XG
Fugi Super VHS Pro
Maxell XRS
Maxell RX-Pro120
3M 120SHG (This is not a SVHS Tape, but I like it for general recording.)
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Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!
Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-11-2015 10:58 AM
The machines went out of production in 2002. I had no idea the tape continued to be manufactured. Now in 2015 the tape stock finally joins the machines... (From RocketNews24)
RIP Sony Betamax!
quote:
Sony to stop selling Betamax video cassette tapes in March
Sony announced on Tuesday that after four decades, it will stop shipping Betamax (or Beta) and MicroMV video cassette tapes next March. The company explained that it is ending sales in these formats in light of the changing marketplace, due to the end of analog television broadcasts in Japan in 2012, the decreased demand, and other factors.
The Betamax video cassette is a format of recordable magnetic tape media that Sony developed for home video use. The company started manufacturing the players and tapes in 1975. Sony had already stopped producing Betamax video cassette tape recorders in 2002. The format eventually sold 18 million recorders, and cassette sales peaked in 1984 with an annual total of about 50 million.
The MicroMV video cassette is a separate format of recordable magnetic tape media for digital video cameras. Sony also stopped producing MicroMV video cameras in 2005.
Cowboy Bebop, a Sunrise science-fiction television anime set in the year 2071, made an obsolete Betamax cassette a pivotal element in its 18th episode, “Speak Like a Child."
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Steve Matz
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 672
From: Billings, Montana, USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 11-11-2015 11:46 AM
Wow; this is an ancient post. I remember buying a Sony Betamax back in the late 70's. Cost almost a 1000 bucks then. Betamax always had a slightly better picture quality simply because the record/playback head was larger than VHS. This made it necessary for the cassettes to be smaller. What's ironic is SONY invented VHS,Their BETA advertising would state "We invented the competition, so they really cut their own throat BETA Sales wise.
As far as tapes losing image after 20 yrs or so, I have the very first VHS Tape I bought right around 78/79 "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein" which I paid $50.00 back then. I played it last year just for curiosity and it still looked as good as when I bought it. Places like St. Vincent DePaul, Family Services,Rescue Mission sometimes sell VHS Movies as low as 10 for a Dollar. I have bought a few hundred in the last year and 99% of them still play excellent. You can even find small CRT TV's with integrated VHS Players for under 20 dollars. Disney masterpiece VHS's must still be popular, I've even seen them as high as 5 dollars a piece at the same donation places. I even picked up 2 Tapes of the controversial "Little Mermaid" (original artwork) which at one time I saw people paying as high as 700 bucks. Don't know what their worth now. Can't hardly beat playing a movie for a Dime, so I'll keep buying them. Have also seen NOS SONY,FUJI,TDK,3M, etc., VHS Tapes at these same places for a quarter. I remember new VHS Tapes costing over 20 dollars in the late 70's. I remember when they got to be around 11 dollars, thinking that was a great bargain... ![[beer]](graemlins/beer.gif)
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