In 1987 Sony offered several models that sported digital special effects. The video was stored in memory as it was being recorded or played and this allowed for special on screen manipulation. Depending on the model there were benefits like a rock steady clear picture in pause, slow motion and frame advance. Some had picture-in-picture, tiling, flash-motion, mosaic, recall, picture art, strobe, zoom and high speed search with picture. This unusual upgrade ushered in a new era of picture control and quality. It was popular and looked upon as more tools for the enjoyment of the dedicated Beta fans. The digital effects were featured in a series of special Beta models and were later carried over in some form to several of the top of the line Betas that came later.