Date: 20 Feb 1984 19:26-EST
From: Doug.Jensen@CMU-CS-G.ARPA
Subject: Re: video cassette recorder formats
To: Bob.Colwell at CMU-CS-G, edj@g

There was an authoritative evaluation and explanation by Video magazine
a year or so ago--I'll get it for you. The result was that Beta format
is significantly superior technically--less tape wear, etc. I believe
that you have observed an artifact: there are few if any recordings on
only format, but VHS tapes are stocked more heavily because VHS sells
3:1 over Beta. The stereo recorder I saw was Beta. I consider other
features (stop frame, variable speed slow/fast motion, etc.) far more
important than stereo sound. There are very few stereo sound tapes
available as yet and it's not clear that stereo will end up a big win
(remember quad?).

Doug