Sony stopped making Betamax recorders in 2002, but it kept making tapes for die-hard fans. The popularity of Betamax tapes peaked in 1984 when some 50 million cassettes were shipped. Most of the consumer electronics firm's VCRs were sold in North America in recent years, including under the Sanyo brand. Japan's Funai Electric cited a sharp decline in sales and trouble sourcing parts for its decision to stop making VCRs at a plant in China by the end of this monthJapan's Funai Electric cited a sharp decline in sales and trouble sourcing parts for its decision to stop making VCRs at a plant in China by the end of this month. The boxy machines -- originally about the size of a briefcase with a top-loading slot for videotapes -- entered into mainstream popularity in the seventies and eighties, and spawned a new industry: tape rental stores.

Source: Bangkok Post July 22, 2016 12:11 UTC