VHS vs Betamax (1975-1988)
by Anonymous
Sony's Betamax offered better picture quality, but JVC's VHS offered longer recording time and open licensing. VHS won the format war through broader manufacturer adoption and the crucial ability to record a full movie.
VHS (JVC)
2-6 hours
recording time
Good
picture quality
Open — licensed to all manufacturers
licensing
Won — became global standard
outcome
Betamax (Sony)
1 hour initially
recording time
Superior
picture quality
Proprietary — Sony controlled
licensing
Lost — discontinued in 2016
outcome
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