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From: stassen@trwspp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: If one is good, two must be better! (one of each)
Message-ID: <581@trwspp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Sep-84 11:58:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: trwspp.581
Posted: Thu Sep 20 11:58:45 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Sep-84 03:30:18 EDT
Organization: T R W, Redondo Beach, CA
Lines: 48

[]

	I would recommend one of each (plus a plugboard-type device which
lets you configure them easily).

	If you're going to buy a fancy one, I would suggest that you
buy the Beta deck as your better one.  Right now, you can get a really
good Beta deck for less than a really good VHS deck, and the Beta decks
are a *little* better.

	Eventually, one of these formats will phase the other out (or
so it appears at the moment).  VHS has sheer popularity going for it, and
Beta has a slight lead in technology.  You could (if you had both), store
your tapes in whichever format you found convenient, and later (when
one or the other is all but gone, move your whole collection to the
format which survived.

	You would have the advantage of being able to borrow anyone else's
tapes and play them; you could rent either Beta or VHS movies -- if you
don't find the title in one section, try the other.

	As much as I think that VHS will eventually phase out Beta, I cannot
see into the future.  Had I the money, I would invest in one of each just
to be safe, should Beta be the eventual victor (it is a possibility).

	And eventually, when format 'X' is gone, and your format 'X' deck
ignites itself, you can replace it with another deck of format 'Y' and still
have a great system.  Of course, you stand to lose a little more if VHS
takes over (your more expensive deck would become obsolete), but that
is several years down the line, and anyone who is buying two of these at
once can't be worried about losing a little money.

	A point that I'm not addressing (and I'm sure the Beta-philes will
jump on it) is that VHS to VHS doesn't make the greatest copies.  Beta to
Beta does much better.  Has anyone tried Beta to VHS or VHS to Beta?  I
would think that it would be acceptable as long as you don't make a living
out of copying your programs from one machine to the other and back. (VHS 
to VHS is pretty good for one or two copies - you tape a program (0), edit 
it (1), and give a copy to a friend (2) - means two VHS-VHS copies).

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The opinions expressed in this document are my own.  They are not intended to
reflect the views of my employer - TRW - or anyone else.  Intelligent and
responsible commentaries should be directed to me;  Flames to the bit bucket.
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Christian W. Stassen	[decvax!trwrb,vortex,ihnp4!vortex]!trwspp!stassen

	"If we knew what the hell we were doing, then it wouldn't be research."