andy andyr2dvdorg fortean moment time httpnewsbbccouk1hientertainmentfilm2220972stm betamax video recorders finally phased almost 20 years losing battle dominance home video market vhs betamaxs manufacturer sony announced make 2000 machines japanese market sale rest world since 1998 vhs became dominant format mid1980s betamax launched 1975 many fans said better quality vhs rival 23 million betamax machines sold worldwide peak year 1984 soon went downhill vhs became format choice film rental industry homes 2800 machines sold 12 months march 2002 digital machines new recording formats taking hold market demand continued decline become difficult secure parts sony said statement sony said would continue offer repairs manufacture tapes format professional betamax format betacam still widely used television film industries unaffected recent rise dvds seems put final nail coffin betamax home players 1980s many video rental chains preferred vhs format betamax lovers became passionate format face competition vhs set betaphile club 1988 picture sound quality beta superior vhs betaphiles say although vhs tapes longer duration total 18 million betamax machines sold around world new ones made end 2002 sony planning focus efforts new digital technologies see also yahoo groups sponsor kwick pick portable lock pick opens almost lock locked try kwick pick 1795 open car doors desk drawers padlocks much never get locked httpusclickyahoocomo2spyap6keaamvfiaa7gsolbtm unsubscribe group send email forteanaunsubscribeegroupscom use yahoo groups subject httpdocsyahoocominfoterms wed 28 aug 2002 135436 0100 zzzzteana betamax finally laid rest