Betamax Standard

(1) Also referred to as simply Beta, the first VCR format, developed by Sony in 1975. Except for old systems that are still around since the 1980s, Betamax eventually disappeared from the home user marketplace as consumers favored the VHS format. The Betamax format is still in use today by professional videographers, television broadcasters and film makers.

(2) The landmark U.S. legal precedent set in 1984 for allowing consumers to space-shift content they own to other formats and devices for the purpose of personal use. The precedent was a result of the Supreme Court decision in Sony v. Universal.