From: goldberg@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Mark Goldberg)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Sony's cornucopia of formats (was: ED Beta  ...)
Date: 21 Jul 92 19:11:40 GMT
Reply-To: goldberg@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Mark Goldberg)
Organization: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Annapolis, MD

It is not always easy to understand the motives of Sony - and why it
appears NOT to support its own formats despite user demand.

Although I am not an ED-Beta user, I have seen this subject come up
again and agiain on the net.  In fact, three years ago when I gained
net access, there was a discussion in rec.video on the thread "ED-Beta
is Doomed."

In considering the issue of Sony's attitude, it might be illuminating
to list the formats of equipment manufactured by Sony.  This list includes
broadcast, commercial, and consumer.  I am leaving out the multiple
formats they are dabling in with HDVS (high def. video system).

1.  1" Type-C - broadcast and edit recorders and players (full bandwidth
    NTSC composite)
2.  3/4" cassette - full size players and recorders (converted subcarrier
    color under)
3.  3/4" SP - full size players/recorders/editors, mini cassette portables
    (extended bandwidth version of 3/4")
4.  Consumer Betamax 1/2" (converted subcarrier color under phase shift)
5.  Consumer SuperBeta 1/2" (extended bandwidth version of above)
6.  Extended Definition (ED) Beta  (greatly extended bandwidth)
7.  8mm - camcorders, VCRs, players (similar signal to Beta)
8.  Hi-band 8mm (Hi8) - camcorders, players, VCRs, pro camcorders, docking
    recorders, pro editing decks  (extended bandwidth version of 8mm)
9.  VHS 1/2"-consumer VCRs, institutional VCRs
10. SVHS 1/2"- consumer VCRs, institutional VCRs, edit-source recorder
11. Betacam 1/2"- tape for non-SP Betamax recording
12. Betacam SP 1/2"- pro camcorders, edit VCRs, cart systems, field recorders
    and players (component analog recording, extended bandwidth version
    of Betamax) (large cassettes for some editing decks)
13. D-1 component digital
14. D-2 composite digital

[Have I missed anything?  If so, please email me so I can correct the
list.]

Anyway, Sony has, to my knowledge, FIVE divisions now involved in video:

1.  Consumer products - that ubiquitous TR-81, etc.
2.  Commercial/Business video - most 3/4" stuff, EVW-300 hi8, institutional
    hi8 and VHS/SVHS
3.  Broadcast - 1"type-C, D-1 and D-2, Betacams, fancy editing gear,
    BVP cameras, studio cameras, 3/4" SP BVU recorders
4.  Security systems - CCTV cameras, one 8mm camcorder with interchangeable
    lenses, security stuff
5.  Computer periperals - CVD-1000 hi8 recorder (computer compatible),
    V-Box interface

These divisions are often broken down further.  For examplem there may
be different groups doing Hi8 and 3/4"SP.  In many companies, groups
are actually in competition with each other.  Beginning to get a clue?

Some have claimed that ED-Beta, or even Hi8 can make 3/4" look pale
in comparison.  3/4 has been around for a long time and is well entrenched,
and the advocates are probably resistant to upstarts.  Similar may be
true of Betacam.  It is true that Betacam SP from BVW-300 or 400 will
look better than Hi8 from an EVW-300, but will it look $40,000 better?

Based on conversations with Sony reps as well as personal observations
of equipment features, I have concluded that a degree of incompatibility
had been designed into some items, particularly in Hi8.  Consider their
first few pro level components, the EVO-9800 edit feeder and the EVV-9000
docking recorder.  Neither has a y-output, althoug ALL other hi8 consumer
and industrial pieces did have it.  The edit feeder had composite of
y-688 and was designed to work with 3/4 SP, not SVHS.  Their consumer
comcorders had stero AFM, but pro level had mono.  Etc., etc.  At an
equipment demo, one of their sales reps admitted that they wanted to
discourage use with SVHS and by wedding videographers!!!!  Fortunately,
with the EVW-300 and EVO-9850, that is beginning to change.

Bottom line is that ED-Beta was attractive to a small group (in their
opinion) of purists and that the existence of the format endagered other
formats in their pro line.  They were also banking on the success of
8mm/Hi8.  Due to the past victory of VHS over Betamax, the substantial
success of 8mm/Hi8 has been called Sony's Revenge and I don't think
they want to segment their share of the 400-plus-line resolution market.
   /|/| /||)|/  /~ /\| |\|)[~|)/~   |   Everyone's entitled to MY opinion.
  / | |/ ||\|\  \_|\/|_|/|)[_|\\_|  |      goldberg@oasys.dt.navy.mil
========Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein=======