The biggest injury that the Beta format suffered happened very early in its history. It was over the recording time per cassette. Simply put, VHS could cram more recording time in their larger cassette than Beta could. In people's minds, this seemed to make VHS cost less to record go along with their cheaper VCRs. To address this stumbling block, Sony tried a bold experiment. Their engineers came up with a cassette changer that would automatically eject a tape at the end and insert a fresh one. This was a very clever idea, and the first model (the test unit AG-120) was designed to be used with the first Betamax, the SL-7200. It was a stand-alone mechanical device that used a spring-loaded flywheel. It would only change one cassette, and it was basically an experiment to see if the Betamax owners were interested. Unfortunately, it failed to operate much of the time because it was tricky to use. But it was received well enough to inspire Sony to make an improved version going forward. The second model was the AG-200 Betastack auto changer, and it was motor-driven. From this model forward all future designs would be motor-operated, require an adapter to fit it onto the VCR, and could be easily removed. Made for use with the new SL-8600, it was also backward compatible for the SL-7200A and SL-8200. This time it changed two cassettes, and it worked all of the time. When the SL-5400, SL-5600, and SL-5800 series Betas came out, there was a new, much-improved auto changer available. Designated the AG-300 this one was smart, responded to instructions from the VCR, could be programmed, changed three cassettes, and worked like a dream. All of these models so far were designed to work with top-loading VCRs. Soon front loading models were introduced and the top-loading VCR was history. This change required a complete redesign and required a new changer. The first front loading changer was the AG-400, and it was made just for the high-end SL-2500. It was innovative, quick, and could now control three cassettes, four in total, counting the one in the machine. Next came the AG-500. It was made to fit the SL-2700, SL-2710, SL-2410, and SL-2415. The two Betahi-fi units (SL-2700 and SL-2710) were taller than the SL-2410 and SL-2415, so a special adapter plate and three extra bosses were included with the changer so the mounting plate could be altered to fit the two taller models. I have a feeling that many people called it quits right there. It's one thing to ask that you mount this plate on your VCR but quite another to require you build it first. Many of these units were never used because of this. The AG-400 and AG-500 were basically the same unit. The elapsed time indicator of the SL-2500 was duplicated on the front of the AG-400 but it was missing (covered over by the faceplate) on the AG-500. Other than that, they are identical. The auto changers never really gained traction. They evidently didn't sell well enough, so Sony abandoned them altogether and conceded the recording time war to VHS. They chose instead to concentrate on better design, better picture, superior sound quality, and function innovations.
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