Reply to post: Re: The RIGHT format won out. Unlike the VHS/Betamax argument

Disk is dead, screeches Violin – and here's how it might happen

DeepStorage

Re: The RIGHT format won out. Unlike the VHS/Betamax argument

No, the reason VHS one is that Sony's smaller Betamax tape held 90 minutes at top quality while a VHS tape held 120 minutes. Most feature films fit on one VHS tape, a much better deal for the studios and video stores, vs 2 for Beta.

Sony was also quite tight with Betamax licenses while JVC let anyone that paid the fee make VHS so the RCA VHS deck was cheaper than the Sony Betamax at Macy's.

People incorrectly use VHS/Beta as a victory of marketing over the best product. It's actually lesson that different constituencies have different definitions of best. The studios valued run time over picture quality, the customer low price and familiar brands.

Sony bought up studios in the 80s and 90s for the same reason Comcast bought NBC more recently, controlling both content and distribution is profitable.

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