Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sony Releases Blu-Ray Betamax Combo Player
()
Melding a little of the new with a little of the old, Sony has recently released a Blu-Ray Betamax combo device so one can still enjoy his Beta library as well as his ever growing HD Blu-Ray DVD collection.
Much ballyhooed when it was introduced in the '70s, Betamax's popularity dwindled when Sony refused to license X-rated adult films onto the Beta format. JVC's backed VHS standard rapidly grew marketshare, despite their inferior quality to Beta, solely because it allowed adult content to be recorded on VHS. Not only did this cause a revolution in homes around the world - being able to own and rent movies to be shown in one's own house - but it changed the way porn was enjoyed. Now people no longer had to frequent seedy XXX movie houses, they could watch "Debbie Does Dallas" in the privacy of their own bedrooms.
Beta's popularity never went down in the commercial world, as Beta SP remained the standard for broadcast professionals until DV began to take over, especially in the television production.
Support for LAist comes from
Although Blu-Ray has yet to seriously make a dent in the market, the DVD format known for its crisp detail is poised to be the next set-top box in your home. By melding the two, Sony is sure to have another hit on their hands... as long as someone starts releasing porn on Blu-Ray.
h/t Metafilter
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist