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I think part of the reason early U-Matics didn't have the engineering to provide as good a picture is that the VO series was originally intended to become a consumer format at launch in 1971 and pivoted to be broadcast/prosumer orientated after it failed to get consumer traction.
I have the first U-Matic model VO-1600 as well as the second or third Betamax Sony made (rebadged as a Zenith, but besides cosmetic styling it's no different from it's Sony badged version)....Both machines are basically identical ignoring styling, tape format and the extra EIAJ-8 consumer VTR to TV interface jack on the U-Matic. Both machines have internal RF modulators, TV tuners, and had optional matching external timers for time shifting TV shows. Sony clearly meant the U-Matic to have the same consumer application as it did with the Betamax...It just didn't attract the market Sony wanted so they pivoted it's design to match the customers that were attracted to it and started working on making the Betamax in hopes it would do what U-Matic couldn't in the consumer market.
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