1982-1990

Betacam is a professional analog videotape format created by Sony in 1982. The format is very similar to Betamax, except that it was designed for television broadcast. The word "Betacam" is often used by itself to refer to Betacam cameras, Betacam cassettes, Betacam video recorders, or the format itself.

All Beta versions, from analog BETAMAX, BETACAM, up to Betacam SP, and digital Digital Betacam (and in addition HDCAM and HDCAM SR) use the same video cassette size, meaning that the containers and other storage devices do not need to be changed when converting to the new format.

Cassettes were manufactured in two sizes: S (short) and L (long). Betacam camcorders can only load S-type cassettes, while television studio VCRs designed for video editing will play both S and L tapes.

Each Beta cassette type has a different color case depending on the format, making it easier to visually identify. There is also a mechanical identification (holes on the back of the cassette) that allows the VCR to recognize the format of the inserted cassette.

The Betacam format replaced the three-quarter-inch U-Matic system introduced by SONY in 1971. The Betacam configuration, an integrated professional video camera/recorder with improved image quality, quickly became popular in electronic newsgathering.

Although DigiBeta (Digital Betacam) became the most successful digital videocassette format in history in professional broadcasting, Betacam remained popular in the field of archival.

BETACAM has been gradually replaced in the television studio environment by new tapeless digital products since 2006.