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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!follmer
From: follmer@hplabs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: VHS vs Beta (#'s please!)
Message-ID: <97300002@hplabs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 16-Aug-85 18:52:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplabs.97300002
Posted: Fri Aug 16 18:52:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 22:13:36 EDT
Lines: 26
Nf-ID: #N:hplabs:97300002:000:1250
Nf-From: hplabs!follmer    Aug 16 14:52:00 1985

As I understand it, the VHS vs. Beta comparison really boils down to
the issue of Frequency Response and S/N ratio, for both video and audio.
Lines and all that other stuff fall out of these figures.
Yet I have never seen clear numbers comparing Beta and VHS on this basis.

To further fuel the debate, here are some quotes from the August 12 issue
of Electronics:

"Most observers believe Sony is trying to arrange an orderly switch to 8-mm
without appearing to abandon the Beta system"

Regarding SuperBeta, the article quotes competitors as saying that 
"Sony really had no choice... the video resolution of the firm's VCRs was
superior before it opted for hi-fi audio... these earlier VCRs have resolution
superior to that of today's HiBand [SuperBeta] Beta HiFi VCRs."

I've gone with SuperBeta BetaHifi myself.  CompuStore carries the SLHF 600 
(list $1K) for $666 delivered.  However, they have already taken 2 months
and I still don't have it.  I've had better luck with 42d st. photo; they
cost a little more, but they've never made me wait that long.

So, if we could get the S/N and Response of the top JVC and Sony decks,
maybe we can resolve the resolution issue.  For that matter, what do the
8mm decks deliver?

ucbvax!hplabs!follmer