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Quasar VR-1000 (The Great Time Machine)

Quasar VR-1000 (The Great Time Machine)

Utilizing Matsushita’s VX format, Quasar (the American subsidiary of Matsushita) releases the Great Time Machine (model VR-1000) to the American market. The device immediately fails and no subsequent models are released in the U.S.

2-Hour Betamax Cassettes and the VHS Format are Unveiled

In a last ditch effort to sway Matsushita to adopt Betamax, Sony reveals in a meeting that they’ve finally made a 2-hour cassette. In response during that same meeting, JVC (a subsidiary of Matsushita) unveils their VHS (Video Home System) format for the first...
Sony Launches the Betamax in the U.S.

Sony Launches the Betamax in the U.S.

Sony introduces the LV-1901 (the same model as the LV-1801 in Japan) to the U.S. market with the pricetag of $2500. Its a TV / VCR combination unit. Like the Japanese model, the unit is only capable of recording 60 minutes per videocassette.