Happy Thirtieth Birthday to the VHS Video Format

October 11, 2006 Monday October 9 marked the thirtieth birthday of VHS Video, the videotape format that won the battle with Sony’s Betamax to become the global defacto standard for home video recording and has sold 900 million tape decks to date. Through the ability to view television programs at a later time or date, VHS video greatly enhanced the freedom of lifestyle for consumers. In addition, the technology made it possible for consumers to view movies in the home as well as shoot video and communicate with each other using camcorders. VHS video technology had a major impact on many fields including the electronics industry and the visual entertainment industry starting with the movie industry. It also had a major impact on education and the arts. The day saw Victor Company of Japan (JVC) awarded a prestigious IEEE milestone for development of the VHS Video, having released the first commercial VHS Deck (pictured) on October 9, 1976. IEEE Milestones honour achievements in electrical, electronic and computer engineering, singling out those achievements that have had a significant social and historical impact.

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