Betamax
You don’t hear this brand name anymore, but in the 70’s, Betamax was synonymous with home video. Sony’s first video tape recorder cost $1,275 when it was introduced in 1976. A timer could set the machine to tape upcoming shows was sold separately. Sony’s Beta tapes ruled the $20 million per year video industry until several companies banded together and began to offer machines using the VHS format.