BetaInfoGuide Homepage

What happened to Betainfoguide.com???

Betainfoguide.com has now become

Betainfoguide.net!!

Thanks to the generosity of the folks who run the BetaPalsite in the U.K., we are now back...as Betainfoguide.net!

Please keep in mind that any links to www.betainfoguide.com will still NOT work, as that site is totally down.

We are on YouTube!!

...With various Betamax commercials, camera videos of Betamax VCRs, etc. Since my username is constantly changing (I've had 6 accounts already, and some of them have been suspended!), do a Search for "Betamax" and "Ray Glasser" together in the YouTube Search box, and you'll be able to view the videos!

Our next claim to fame....

I am mentioned quite frequently - with photos - in the new book, "From Betamax to Blockbuster," released in May 2008, by Joshua M. Greenberg, and published by MIT Press. It's a comprehensive look at the early days of video collecting and how the whole home video marketplace emerged, evolved, and changed over the years. Interesting reading - pick up a copy! About $16.

---- Ray Glasser
December, 2008

Hi! Welcome to the Internet's most comprehensive U.S. storehouse of Betamax information! Have fun browsing!

You have arrived at the ULTIMATE BETAMAX INFORMATION GUIDE, the most complete and comprehensive U.S. Betamax website on the Internet! Since 1997 we have been offering the world a wealth of information about the first true home video format! This site offers comprehensive lists of all the U.S. Beta VCRs, pictures of many of them, plus other useful info that will let you find used Beta machines, tapes, accessories, manuals, remotes, repair service, and more!
   The purpose and scope of this site are twofold: first, to provide both information and education about the Beta format in general, with emphasis on the Beta VCRs themselves. We offer detailed listings of the Beta VCRs that were released in the United States from 1975 to 1993. The used Beta market is alive and well (actually, quite active!), and these lists will provide valuable comparative information about the Beta VCRs. The lists have the following information:
The year the machine was originally manufactured
The machine's model number
The original suggested retail price (when known)
Any new features each particular unit had or introduced
Links to pictures of many of the units
       Secondly, this site provides pictures of many of these Beta machines so you can see what they look like. The pictures have been taken from brochures, magazine ads, Internet auctions, other websites, etc., so the quality varies quite a bit.   Additionally, this site offers interesting tidbits that will will amuse, educate, and inform both the neophyte and the seasoned Betaphile alike!
      So, have fun!!! A lot of info awaits you....this site is a virtual history book of the Beta format, and is a true labor of love from one who has been involved with Beta since the beginning of the home video revolution....1976.   I make updates and additions from time to time, so check in often! Additions and corrections to this site are always welcomed and appreciated.

THE THREE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT BETAMAXES TODAY:

Q) Where can I find a Betamax to buy?
A) The eBay auction site, it's VERY hot these days! Since the value of Beta VCRs is rapidly declining, and they are starting to become really old, it's a Buyer's Market these days!! Click here.

Q) Is there an adaptor that will let me play my Beta tapes in my "regular" VHS machine?
A) No, Virginia...no such animal ever existed and never will. Buy a Betamax....see above.

Q) Where can I get my Betamax repaired?
A) Check out the Beta Help Page....see link directly below.

A neat industrial, the SLO-323

The BEST Beta ever, the SL-HF1000!

The slim-line SL-2500

The neat SL-2000 portable

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

E-MAIL ADDRESS:
videoholic1@yahoo.com

TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO THE BETA LISTINGS:
CLICK HERE

TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO THE PHOTO GALLERIES:
CLICK HERE

TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO THE BETA HELP PAGE:
CLICK HERE

TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO OTHER BETA WEBSITE LINKS: CLICK HERE

CLICK THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT TO GO TO THAT PAGE
	SONY BETAS A gallery of Sony Betas from the beginning to the end!
	THE "DREAM MACHINES" The high-end Sony Betas that showcased the best of the best!
	THE SONY INDUSTRIAL BETAS The heavy-duty Betas used by schools, institutions, and the government
	THE INTERNATIONAL BETAS Some of the Sony Betas made for non-U.S. markets (some of them were pretty neat, too!)
	SOME NON-SONY BETAS Some Betas made by manufacturers other than "Mother Sony"
	THE BETA TAPE BOXES AND CASSETTE SHELLS A two-page gallery showing various brands of Beta tape boxes and different types of cassette shells. For the die-hards only!
	THE BETAMOVIE PAGE Showcasing the Sony BetaMovie one-piece record-only camcorders that were released in the 1980s
	BETA CLOSE-UPS An in-depth look at some selected Betas, with lots of detailed pictures! QUICKLINKS: ------------------- PAGE ONE ----------------- Pioneer VX-90 SuperBeta HiFi Sony SuperBeta Theater SL-HFT7 Sony EDV-30F Industrial ED-Beta Sears Proformance Beta Hi-Fi Sony SL-2410/2415 Talking Betas -------------------- PAGE TWO --------------- Sanyo VCR7300 Portable Beta Hi-Fi Sony SL-HF860D Digital Effects SuperBeta Hi-Fi Sony LV1901 Betamax/TV console Sony GCS-50 Industrial SuperBeta Editor

WHY BETA IS BETTER
A semi-technical page explaining why Beta is a superior format to VHS.

THE RISE & FALL OF BETA
An excellent history of the Beta format, written by my friends Marc Wielage and Rod Woodcock; taken from a 1988 issue of their Videofax magazine, and updated in 2003.

THE DAY THAT BETA DIED!
The shocking, official announcement from Sony Tokyo that they were ceasing production of new Betamaxes!! It was Aug 28, 2002.....

BETAHELP
Our 2nd-most popular page....here you'll find help locating Beta VCRs, manuals, remotes, repair people, etc.

BETA TIDBITS
Interesting tidbits about the Beta format and its history

BETA TIPS AND TRICKS
Tips and tricks about some Beta VCRs and the Betamax videocassette tapes

THE RAY GLASSER PERSONAL PAGE
A bio about the author of this site, explaining his involvement in home video

THE BIG LIE
An ad from a 1984 dealer magazine about selling Beta products

"THE VIDEOPHILE'S NEWSLETTER" PAGES
A look at the VERY FIRST Video magazine, published from 1976 to 1981. Have fun digging into the earliest days of video, when Beta was king - and was the only home video format around!!!

LINKS TO MORE BETA WEBSITES
And some new ones.....
WIKIPEDIA - a great page about the Beta video format (and yes, we're mentioned!)
MISTERBETAMAX - An incredibly exhaustive Betamax website, where you can readily purchase refurbished Beta VCRs, as well as cleaning items, rewinders, accessories, blank tapes, promo items, and lots more! This site is a veritable gold mine for all things Beta! Lots and lots of pictures and info.
THE SONY VS. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS LAWSUIT - The entire text of the infamous lawsuit, finally decided in 1984. Dry but informative reading.

LINKS TO OTHER BETAMAX WEBRING SITES:
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