VHS |
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While Sony were launching Betamax, JVC's own
domestic format had
reached the prototype stage and had been secretly
demonstrated to Matsushita, whose own VX system was not
yet ready. Sony continued to try to persuade the other
companies to back Betamax, even going to the Ministry of
Internal Trade and Industry in an attempt to force their
hands. But JVC were adamant, and in early 1976, their VHS
format was launched in Japan. VHS, or Video Home System, was unashamedly aimed at the domestic user. The most obvious difference between VHS and Betamax was the longer running time, two hours as opposed to Betamax's one. A PAL version of VHS reached the UK in 1978, about a month earlier than Betamax. By this time, VHS could boast three-hour tapes; this was possible partly because VHS cassettes were larger, and could therefore hold more tape, but also because of the lower "recording density" of VHS's less demanding performance. Sony had developed their machines from professional systems, and had concentrated on quality, while JVC designed a system which was the minimum acceptable to home users. This philosophy was extended to the VHS machines, which were generally simpler and hence cheaper to make. A combination of cheapness, playing time and easy rental, plus a greater choice of pre-recorded tapes, eventually saw VHS the victor in the Format War. The format also went on to spawn several sub-formats - the miniature VHS-C in 1984, and the high-band SVHS in 1988. |
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