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Various video tapes: L to R MinvDV, 8mm, VHS “C”, Beta, VHS, Philips.
people were happy with the quality of the Cameras
image and didn't require all of the ' bells & Early video cameras were generally attached
whistles' that were introduced over time. (I via cable to a portable video recorder. The
was told by an industry colleague once that he whole arrangement was operated from a bat-
believed that 90% of customers are happy as tery located within the recorder. Both Sony
long as the picture moves, is in color and talks!) (Beta) and Panasonic (VHS) were the popular
units, although other manufacturers also made
them.

Sony produced a camera which housed a Beta
tape and was self contained, which they called
the Betamovie. Panasonic also produced a
camera which utilized a full size VHS tape.

Below: The Sony Betamovie camera. It used a full
sized Beta tape and held its own battery.

Odd one out! Sanyo produced a portable camera -
VCR, which they called Vcord. It appeared before
VHS and Beta. It used a video cassette resembling
an 8 track audio tape, it used ½ inch tape.
REEL DEALS December 2015 33