Betamax, introduced by Sony in 1975, is an analog video tape format originally designed for the home entertainment market. It became one of the leading video tape formats before the launch of the VHS format. Betamax uses a 12mm wide tape and adopts a cassette system, allowing users to easily record and playback videos. Despite Betamax's excellent performance in image quality and reliability, it ultimately failed to win in the competition with the VHS format.

Common Betamax specifications include:

• Betamax: The earliest model, with a recording time of approximately 60 minutes, usually labeled with "Betamax."

Betamax held a significant market share during the 1970s and early 1980s and achieved some success in the home video and VCR market. However, due to VHS's advantages in recording time and market adoption, Betamax gradually lost out in the competition with the VHS format. Ultimately, the Betamax format was discontinued by Sony in 1988, although it continued to be used in certain professional fields until the early 1990s.