Date: Monday, 20 February 1984 10:36:51 EST
From: Charles.Krueger@cmu-cs-gandalf
To: bob.colwell@cmu-cs-g
Subject: video formats

Bob;

Both the VHS and Beta formats were developed by Sony.  VHS was first and
Beta followed in an attempt to reduce head wear and more closely approximate
professional (studio) tape machines.  On Beta machines, the tape is in
contact with about 270 degrees of the head drum while the VHS has about
180 degree contact.  I had a friend in Oklahoma who was a technician in a
TV studio and he strongly recommended Beta, based on service problems and
machine life.