The video quality was a little better, resolution-wise, but it has better color reproduction, and the audio quality was significantly better. Betamax recorded hi-fi audio, while VHS only recorded lo-fi. Cassettes were smaller; when introduced, they could only hold an hour of recording time.

By the time it lost, Betamax cassettes had longer recording time, and video quality had improved even more; it was superior to VHS in everything but cost - but by then the market had decided. Also, early in Sony insisted on something they’d repeatedly try over and over in the coming decades: introducing products that are only compatible with other Sony products. It is a stupid, and bafflingly persistent, core of Sony DNA.