Originally posted by: Jay
I don't think the downfall of Beta (which is what I assume you're alluding to) really applies in this case. Beta's superiority--superior image quality--was overshadowed by its shorter recording time, which was far more important to the average user than a few extra lines of resolution.
It should also be pointed out that Sony made the same mistake that Apple did when the IBM and its family of compatibles came around.I don't think the downfall of Beta (which is what I assume you're alluding to) really applies in this case. Beta's superiority--superior image quality--was overshadowed by its shorter recording time, which was far more important to the average user than a few extra lines of resolution.
Sony refused to licence the technology to other manufacturers, meaning only they would produce BETA machines (I imagine later they did licence it...we used to have a Toshiba BETA deck).
When JVC invented the VHS, they did licence it. More competition drove down prices and let everyone outprice Sony.
How superior is Beta? My dad taped the 50th anniversary of NBC back in the 70s (don't recall the year) hosted by Orson Wells. He recently transferred it to DVD. There was a place here or there where the tape was physically damaged, but beyond that, it played as if NBC had just broadcast it.