Discover great deals on the many top brand items available only on eBay!


This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Beta

more...

HomeHome
Accessories & CablesAccessories & Cables
AmplifiersAmplifiers
CD Players & RecordersCD Players & Recorders
Cassette DecksCassette Decks
CrossoversCrossovers
DVD Players & Recorders DVD Players & Recorders
Digital Music...Digital Music...
Digital Video Recorders, PVRDigital Video Recorders, PVR
EqualizersEqualizers
Headphones, HeadsetsHeadphones, Headsets
Home Audio MiscHome Audio Misc
Home Theater ProjectorsHome Theater Projectors
Home Theater in a Box Home Theater in a Box
KaraokeKaraoke
MiniDisc PlayersMiniDisc Players
OtherOther
PreamplifiersPreamplifiers
ProcessorsProcessors
RadiosRadios
ReceiversReceivers
Remote ControlsRemote Controls
Satellite Radio Satellite Radio
Satellite, Cable TVSatellite, Cable TV
Shelf, Compact SystemsShelf, Compact Systems
Speakers & SubwoofersSpeakers & Subwoofers
Televisions TVTelevisions TV
Tuners, AM/FMTuners, AM/FM
TurntablesTurntables
VCRsVCRs
BetaBeta
VHSVHS
Vintage ElectronicsVintage Electronics
Wholesale LotsWholesale Lots

The videocassette recorder (or VCR, more commonly known in the British Isles as the video recorder), is a type of video tape recorder that uses removable videotape cassette containing magnetic tape to record audio and video from a television broadcast so it can be played back later. Many VCRs have their own tuner (for direct TV reception) and a programmable timer (for unattended recording of a certain channel at a particular time).

Later model VCRs can record and play tapes both in Standard Play (SP) format and in Long Play (LP) format. LP format increases the available recording time, at the loss of some video and sound quality. Some can even record and play in the Extra Long Play (EP, ELP, or SLP) format, which slows down the tape speed to about one third of SP; however, this causes even greater loss of sound and video quality. Extra long play was mainly aimed at the American market, where the general public seemed less concerned with playback quality.

History

Early machines and formats

The history of the videocassette recorder follows the history of videotape recording in general. Ampex introduced the first commercially successful videotape recorder in 1956. It was referred to as the 2" Quadruplex format, using two-inch (5.1 cm) tape. Due to its US$50,000 price, 2" Quadruplex could be afforded only by the television networks and the largest individual stations. Sony marketed in 1963 the first reel-to-reel VTR intended for business, medical, airline, and educational use. The Sony model CV-2000 in 1964 was the world's first VTR intended for home use. Ampex and RCA followed in 1965 with their own reel-to-reel monochrome VTRs priced under US$1,000 for the home consumer market.

Sony U-matic

The development of the videocassette followed the replacement by cassette of other open reel systems in consumer items: the compact audio cassette and Instamatic film cartridge in 1963, and the Super 8 home movie cartridge in 1966. Sony demonstrated a videocassette prototype in October 1969, then set it aside to work out an industry standard by March 1970 with seven fellow manufacturers. The result, the Sony U-matic system, introduced in Tokyo in September 1971, was the world's first commercial videocassette format. Its cartridges, resembling larger versions of the later VHS cassettes, used 3/4-inch (1.9 cm) tape and had a maximum playing time of 90 minutes. Sony also introduced two machines (the VP-1100 videocassette player and the VO-1700 videocassette recorder) to use the new tapes. U-matic, with its ease of use, quickly made other consumer videotape systems obsolete in Japan and North America, where U-matic VCRs were widely used by television stations, schools, and businesses.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Sanyo Beta Hi-Fi Stereo Betamax Vcr7200 - Untested As/IsSanyo Beta Hi-Fi Stereo Betamax Vcr7200 - Untested As/Is $20.00 Sony Sl-2500 Betamax Vcr Video Cassette PlayerSony Sl-2500 Betamax Vcr Video Cassette Player $99.99
Sanyo Beta Vcr PlayerSanyo Beta Vcr Player $15.00 For Repair Sony Super Betamax Sl-10 Vcr Player Recorder BetaFor Repair Sony Super Betamax Sl-10 Vcr Player Recorder Beta $116.95
Sanyo Betacord Vcr 4020 Betamax Wp401Sanyo Betacord Vcr 4020 Betamax Wp401 $89.95 vintage Sencore Vc63 Vcr Test Accessory for Beta Vhs ~untestedvintage Sencore Vc63 Vcr Test Accessory for Beta Vhs ~untested $19.99
Sony Sl-2400 Betamax Beta Tape Player Recorder + Remote & Manual *Read*Sony Sl-2400 Betamax Beta Tape Player Recorder + Remote & Manual *Read* $54.99 Sony Super Betamax Sl-Hf1000 Video Cassette Recorder Beta Vcr Original OwnerSony Super Betamax Sl-Hf1000 Video Cassette Recorder Beta Vcr Original Owner $1,499.99
Sony Hi-Band Betamax Ed Beta Deck Video Cassette Recorder Edv-5000 Work TestedSony Hi-Band Betamax Ed Beta Deck Video Cassette Recorder Edv-5000 Work Tested $411.68 Vintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Untested In Box P/R OnlyVintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Untested In Box P/R Only $99.99
Sony Sl-Hf600 SuperBeta HiFi Betamax Stereo Video Cassette Recorder W/O RemoteSony Sl-Hf600 SuperBeta HiFi Betamax Stereo Video Cassette Recorder W/O Remote $359.81 Sony Betamax Sl-2000 Working With Tuner Timer Tt-2000Sony Betamax Sl-2000 Working With Tuner Timer Tt-2000 $300.00
New ListingSony Beta Hi-Fi Betamax Sl-2710 Vcr Beta Video Cassette Recorder For RepairNew ListingSony Beta Hi-Fi Betamax Sl-2710 Vcr Beta Video Cassette Recorder For Repair $108.77 Sony Sl-Hfr70 Super Betamax Hifi Vcr Player & Sony Stereocast Hfp-200 ProcessorSony Sl-Hfr70 Super Betamax Hifi Vcr Player & Sony Stereocast Hfp-200 Processor $179.99
Vintage Sears Betavision 562.53221251 Betamax Beta Tape Player Vcr Japan WorksVintage Sears Betavision 562.53221251 Betamax Beta Tape Player Vcr Japan Works $199.97 Sony Edv-9000 Ed Beta Max Deck Video Cassette Recorder Operation Confirmed 100VSony Edv-9000 Ed Beta Max Deck Video Cassette Recorder Operation Confirmed 100V $490.32
Sanyo Model Vcr-7250 Beta Betamax BetaHi-Fi Super Beta Player Recorder TestedSanyo Model Vcr-7250 Beta Betamax BetaHi-Fi Super Beta Player Recorder Tested $250.00 Sony Edv-7500 Ed Beta Video Cassette Player Recorder - Works - Very RareSony Edv-7500 Ed Beta Video Cassette Player Recorder - Works - Very Rare $950.00
Vintage Sanyo Vcr 4650 Betacord Video Cassette Recorder Powers On - ReadVintage Sanyo Vcr 4650 Betacord Video Cassette Recorder Powers On - Read $18.00 Sanyo Vcr 4600 Betamax Betacord Top-loading Video Cassette RecorderSanyo Vcr 4600 Betamax Betacord Top-loading Video Cassette Recorder $32.99
Sony Beta Hi-Fi Betamax Sl-2710 Vcr Beta Video Cassette Recorder PlayerSony Beta Hi-Fi Betamax Sl-2710 Vcr Beta Video Cassette Recorder Player $120.00 Sanyo Betacord Model Vtc-R4Me Top Loader Video Cassette Recorder Powers OnSanyo Betacord Model Vtc-R4Me Top Loader Video Cassette Recorder Powers On $76.99
Beta Tape Video Cassette Rewinder Double ElephantBeta Tape Video Cassette Rewinder Double Elephant $27.00 Sanyo Vcr 4500 Betacord Video Cassette Recorder 1984 Betamax Woodgrain WorksSanyo Vcr 4500 Betacord Video Cassette Recorder 1984 Betamax Woodgrain Works $370.00
Fully Restored Sony Sl-Hf400 Stereo HiFi Super Betamax - *90 Days Warranty*Fully Restored Sony Sl-Hf400 Stereo HiFi Super Betamax - *90 Days Warranty* $479.95 Sony Sl-Hf400 Super Beta VcrSony Sl-Hf400 Super Beta Vcr $125.00
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ️ *As Is* Sony Sl-2401 Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Vcr⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ️ *As Is* Sony Sl-2401 Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Vcr $89.99 Sanyo SuperBeta Vcr Model 4027 Sort of working - see details and videoSanyo SuperBeta Vcr Model 4027 Sort of working - see details and video $99.95
Sony Sl-Hf870D Super Betamax Player Video Cassette Recorder - Not Fully TestedSony Sl-Hf870D Super Betamax Player Video Cassette Recorder - Not Fully Tested $375.00 Rare 1981 Vintage Toshiba Betamax V-8500T Video Cassette Recorder Vcr - UntestedRare 1981 Vintage Toshiba Betamax V-8500T Video Cassette Recorder Vcr - Untested $159.99
Vintage Rare Aiwa Beta Vhs Hi Fi Vcr Av-70m AvimaxVintage Rare Aiwa Beta Vhs Hi Fi Vcr Av-70m Avimax $499.99 New ListingSanyo Vcr 7200 Color Video Cassette Recorder - Beta Hi-Fi - Untested Powers OnNew ListingSanyo Vcr 7200 Color Video Cassette Recorder - Beta Hi-Fi - Untested Powers On $77.00
Sony Edv-5000 Ed Beta Deck Video Cassette Recorder Working From JapanSony Edv-5000 Ed Beta Deck Video Cassette Recorder Working From Japan $309.90 Vintage Sony Sl-25 BetaMax Video Cassette Player Woodgrain. Please Read.Vintage Sony Sl-25 BetaMax Video Cassette Player Woodgrain. Please Read. $40.00
Sony Super Betamax Beta Player Model Sl-Hf360 Read The Listing! No Reserve!Sony Super Betamax Beta Player Model Sl-Hf360 Read The Listing! No Reserve! $222.22 Sony Betamax Player Sl-Hf550 Super Beta HiFi - For Parts Or RepairSony Betamax Player Sl-Hf550 Super Beta HiFi - For Parts Or Repair $75.99
Sony Portable Betamax Vcr Sl-2000 Tuner Timer Tt-2000 Powers On Untested ReadSony Portable Betamax Vcr Sl-2000 Tuner Timer Tt-2000 Powers On Untested Read $83.30 Sony Sl-Hf400 Super BetaMax Vcr, beautiful machine, works great! With manualSony Sl-Hf400 Super BetaMax Vcr, beautiful machine, works great! With manual $290.00
Zenith Vr9775Pt Beta Video Cassette Recorder w/ Remote - PartsZenith Vr9775Pt Beta Video Cassette Recorder w/ Remote - Parts $24.00 Vintage 1984 Sanyo Betacord Vcr 4400 Betamax Player Tested for Power No RemoteVintage 1984 Sanyo Betacord Vcr 4400 Betamax Player Tested for Power No Remote $85.00
Vintage 1984 Toshiba V-M41 Betamax Vcr Silver Japan - Partially Serviced - As-IsVintage 1984 Toshiba V-M41 Betamax Vcr Silver Japan - Partially Serviced - As-Is $84.99 Sony Slo-325 Betamax Videocassette Recorder - For Parts or Repair OnlySony Slo-325 Betamax Videocassette Recorder - For Parts or Repair Only $149.97
Vintage Sony Slo-340 Betamax Vcr- New in Open BoxVintage Sony Slo-340 Betamax Vcr- New in Open Box $725.00 New ListingSanyo Betamax Betacord Vcr 4650 Video Cassette Recorder, Powers OnNew ListingSanyo Betamax Betacord Vcr 4650 Video Cassette Recorder, Powers On $60.00
Sony Sl-2710 Betamax Vcr Video Cassette RecorderSony Sl-2710 Betamax Vcr Video Cassette Recorder $159.00 Edv-8000 Ed Beta Deck Sony Video Cassette Recorder 100V Ntsc Audio JapanEdv-8000 Ed Beta Deck Sony Video Cassette Recorder 100V Ntsc Audio Japan $283.75
Sony Sl-Hf300 Betamax Hi-Fi Stereo Tape Player - Powers On, works. Rough- ReadSony Sl-Hf300 Betamax Hi-Fi Stereo Tape Player - Powers On, works. Rough- Read $169.99 Sony Super Betamax Model Sl-100 . Tested 100% Everything Works As It ShouldSony Super Betamax Model Sl-100 . Tested 100% Everything Works As It Should $245.00
Zenith Color Video Camera EquipZenith Color Video Camera Equip $99.00 Vintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/IiVintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii $149.00
Vintage Sony Betamax Sl-6200 Beta Video Cassette Player/Recorder Vcr 6300Vintage Sony Betamax Sl-6200 Beta Video Cassette Player/Recorder Vcr 6300 $295.00 Vintage Sony Sl-5800 Betamax Video Cassette RecorderVintage Sony Sl-5800 Betamax Video Cassette Recorder $99.99
Sanyo Betamax Video RecorderSanyo Betamax Video Recorder $125.00 Brand New In Box Sony Ag-300 Betamax Cassette Auto ChangerBrand New In Box Sony Ag-300 Betamax Cassette Auto Changer $89.99
New ListingSanyo Vcr 4400 Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Player Powers On Untested JapanNew ListingSanyo Vcr 4400 Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Player Powers On Untested Japan $63.25 Sony Super Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Model Sl-Hf360 hi-fi (Powers On)Sony Super Betamax Video Cassette Recorder Model Sl-Hf360 hi-fi (Powers On) $90.00
Big & Rare Zenith Vintage Vr8900W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Powers OnBig & Rare Zenith Vintage Vr8900W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Powers On $65.97 Sony Sl-Hf1000D Super High Band Beta Video Cassette RecorderSony Sl-Hf1000D Super High Band Beta Video Cassette Recorder $269.00
Vintage Sony Sl-5400 Betamax Videocassette Recorder Betascan - *See Notes*Vintage Sony Sl-5400 Betamax Videocassette Recorder Betascan - *See Notes* $159.99 Vtg Sony Betamax Sl-2500 Vcr Video Cassette Recorder / Player – Read DescriptionVtg Sony Betamax Sl-2500 Vcr Video Cassette Recorder / Player – Read Description $50.00
Vintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Powers On, Lights OnVintage Zenith Vr9000W Beta Vcr Video Director B Iii/Ii Powers On, Lights On $69.97 Sony Sl-Hf600 Super BetaMax Vcr, beautiful machine, Remote and manual.GreatSony Sl-Hf600 Super BetaMax Vcr, beautiful machine, Remote and manual.Great $375.00
Sony Super BetaMax Sl-Hf450 Vcr + ManualSony Super BetaMax Sl-Hf450 Vcr + Manual $275.00 Sanyo Vcr7200 Beta Betamax Video Cassette Recorder/w Remote Replaced New BeltsSanyo Vcr7200 Beta Betamax Video Cassette Recorder/w Remote Replaced New Belts $238.99
Sony Sl-2410 Betamax Beta Working properly ReadSony Sl-2410 Betamax Beta Working properly Read $289.99 Sanyo Vcr 7250 Super Beta Hi-Fi Video Cassette Recorder - Works - Vintage JapanSanyo Vcr 7250 Super Beta Hi-Fi Video Cassette Recorder - Works - Vintage Japan $249.99
1988 Sony Sl-Hf860D Super Beta Hi-Fi Stereo Betamax vcr Digital Effects Classic1988 Sony Sl-Hf860D Super Beta Hi-Fi Stereo Betamax vcr Digital Effects Classic $700.00
Click to see more Beta items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 03/07/25 5:50pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay