fall inside a hole

Further reading (and viewing)

Magazines

Popular Science covers all kinds of interesting technological advancements and covered many parts of audio and video tape history as well as video games and computers.

High Fidelity magazine covers primarily audio equipment and is a great source for period tape and equipment reviews. Also covered video equipment, particularly the audio portion. (archived copy)

Radical Software, a magazine started in 1970 that chronicled uses and users of primarily 1/2" open reel video. Includes interesting uses for and information about AV and occasionally CV series VTRs, tape libraries, and modifications, as well as a focus on community television. One of the best insights into the 1/2" video era. (issues also available on the Internet Archive)

Billboard is a weekly music magazine that covered releases and album charts as well as new audio technologies.

Vidiot magazine from Creem publications ran throughout 1983 and four of five issues survive. Vidiot focuses more on the arcade and home video game industry but occasionally covered parts of the ongoing video tape format war.

Other websites

Mr. Betamax has a wide variety of American Beta information and photographs and also refurbishes and sells many, many models of Beta VCRs and accessories.

Betamax Collectors has galleries and information on many American Beta VCRs from a variety of manufacturers.

Beta Info Guide has many galleries of Beta VCRs (including some Japanese and international ones) and tape designs and lots of other useful information. Run by one of the most prolific Beta tapers in America.

Betamax PALsite covers primarily PAL-format (as the name suggests) Beta VCRs and many common faults and repairs.

videocassette.ru has many photos and scans of mostly sealed VHS and other formats of videotapes, including many uncommon high grade tapes.

vhsmester.com has many sealed European VHS videotapes, including high grade tapes and tapes from odd manufacturers.

Online video content

video99.co.uk on YouTube covers repairs of lots of old video equipment including obscure tape formats, particularly many obscure PAL format machines, and runs a video transfer business.