Sony manufactured all the Beta VCRs for Zenith. In 1978 Zenith offered this Sony made clone of the SL-8600, which came out a short time afterwards. Both units recorded and played only in the BII speed. Both were controversial. They were the wrong products at the wrong time. The BII only speed left BI fans feeling betrayed. Up until this model came out the BI speed had been included along with the BII speed. In Sony and Zeniths defense they were attempting to offer inexpensive machines in response to the pressure from the other format. Sony didn't make this mistake again but Zenith saw it as an opportunity to cut cost and later ordered several other single speed units when BIII came along. |