----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Potts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: June 9, 2001 16:52
Subject: [USMA:13614] RE: Market forces
> So far, this thread hasn't indicated the original reason the Beta format
> failed (unless I skipped over it in someone's posting).
>
> Sony made the fatal marketing decision to keep their format completely
> proprietary, whereas Panasonic made the VHS format an "open standard."
> Sony's hope was to monopolize the VCR marketplace. Instead, it became Sony
> versus every other manufacturer.
There are reports that dispute that. Sony did offer to license
the Beta format to JVC and Matsushita and they refused
(because they were secretly developing and preparing to
market VHS). JVC felt that VHS's longer recording
time made it a superior product.
http://www.urbanlegends.com/products/beta_vs_vhs.html
It just goes to show that the more popular product, idea,
or standard of measurement, is not necessarily the
better one.
Stephen Gallagher
