Well, I can't lower myself all the way to your level but I can drop part way if only for my own amusement. The song goes that with folks like you I should "try a little kindness," but you so relish, it would seem, the role of verbal punching bag that I thought I'd take you to task while the pizza bakes.

There's nothing for me to lose because you don't know who I am. But I sure as hell know who you are, Alan, and kind of wonder sometimes whether your colleagues get to see the same profoundly dysfunctional side of you that we do.

I know you are upset because you made a fool of yourself with the smarmy, paternalisitc language you used to address me when you really thought that I use my real name in these posts. It must have been a pretty uncomfortable moment when that dawned on you. Of course, it could be that you knew all along, and that you are instead upset that I didn't gasp and swoon at your lame chivalry.

Either way, I think that to find the true "gender-bender," you need to take a peek in the mirror.

You come in here and tell these obviously fabricated, 98% embellished tales of your VCR "conquests" like a six year old girl talks about her dolls to her mom, as in: "...and today Mrs. Heffelfluffer had tea and sandwiches with the Queen!" Case in point was your invention about the 7250. Your claim about the front falling off is impossible, and anyone who has worked on one of those machines will tell you that without even looking at a machine. That panel is secured by two screws underneath and three clips on top. Beyond that, you cannot remove that panel without actually, and with some force, bending the plastic around the tracking and rec balance knobs because they protrude so far and are cast such that the back of the knob cannot be pulled through the hole.

Furthermore, the L-shaped configuration of that panel would suggest that, unless you are stupid enough to work on a VCR while it is hanging over the edge of the table, gravity alone would prevent the panel from falling. I won't even get into the "shattering" aspect of your fantasy because it looks like my pizza is almost done.

I don't know what's in it for you weaving these idiotic, informationally value-less and verbally retarded tales, especially since I'm evidently the only one here stupid enough to read them. But if it fulfills your theory on catharsis, what the hell. It doesn't cost me anything.

But I really wish you would look into the thrills and rewards of stamp collecting.

Firstly gender bender, Most antisocial degenerates don't give much thought to their hypocrisy and hate, and tend apply the standards they could never possibly achieve themselves to others as a form of wishful thinking about how their lives might have been.

I hope that your buffoonish behavior on this board ultimately yields some at least unintended cathartic good to you for the benefit of everyone. But at some point, you are going to need some outside help. That's obvious.

Doctor1024

Believe it. Doc1024 @ebay

Thank God for the Internet. Not ten years ago weirdos like "Doc" spent a lot of time in public places where people actually had to "deal with" them (i.e. leave, call the police, drop a class, walk in the other direction, plug their ears, get caller ID, change pharmacies, etc.).

Of all the random themes a creep might take on in life, "Doc" had to pick Beta. Guess it's better for most than if he chose guns - just not for Beta hobbyists who use this website.

"THE SLEEPER BETAMAX CLASSIC" by Doctor1024 @ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992#ebayphotohosting <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992>;

I just purchased a 7250, as I previously mentioned. It had a piece of tape on the front bezel. Just let me say that the Sanyo Model 7250 SuperBeta HiFi VCR is a "SLEEPER CLASSIC" of the SuperBeta Stereo VCRs. It's test reports in late 1985 reported it to have 0 db loss at 2 MHz, in the BII speed. This frequency is where all VCRs were tested for the Record and Playback Video Frequency Response. 0 db would equal a perfect copy. And even more amazing is that the Sanyo Model 7250 SuperBeta HiFi VCR also received in the test report, a 0 db loss rating at BIII speed too, which is probably the only Betamax VCR ever to have that excellent a performance rating at the BIII speed with the exception of the Sony SLHF-1000 which was reported to have a +2 db performance gain at 2 MHz at BIII speed on it's record-playback test in 1986. So when it comes to EXCELLENCE in Picture Performance, there is at least ONE other SuperBeta HiFi VCR capable of EXTREME EXCELLENCE in performance, beside the Sony SLHF-1000, and that's the Sanyo Model 7250 SuperBeta HiFi. Even the Sony SLHF-750 and 900 can't touch the Sanyo Model 7250 at BIII speed or BII speed performance either. The Sanyo Model 7250 is TRULY a "SLEEPER" in the CLASSIC High Performance SuperBeta-HiFi VCRs, surpassing the performance of even the latest VCRs of 2006. Some people are just plain loud,ignorant and uninformed about our beloved Betamax VCRs. They also seem to be confused about their gender as well.

Firstly, To those who spend their time constantly watching ebay auctions....Do you want to tell the world that you are a lowlife losers with nothing better to do than abuse this site? If all you are is a pimple on society’s ass, and all you have to do is spend your life looking at (and then idiotically reporting on this site) what folks buy on “old bay” then all you have to do is sign on using a fake moniker. At the same time, you can delude your psychotic self that the good folks on this site care. Remember, the only requirement is that you are a no life loser. Be sure to use CAPS liberally while you write your sociopathic text, and then be sure to sign it... Doc @ ebay

PS I wonder what your opinion is of all the folks that buy POS 2-head non-HiFi machines like the Sanyo 4400. TVVIDEOMAN and his slimy Partner SL1000 are behind this. Lets discuss.

Hey Doc - can you get through a single one of your sagas without lifting material verbatim from other posts? Just curious.

Sorry for posting this twice, My computor buttons are sticking.

Firstly, Been searching for this high end betamax for some time .. just pony up the dough and swooped up this baby for SONG.. I liked the seller, check out his old feedback before bidding..

I emailed him... and asked :Hi - I'm curious about the tape or scotch tape on the ( faceplate) of this high end betamax?

HIS ANSWER: Yes there is a piece of tape on the front of the Betamax.

I emailed him... (I am SUCH a troublemaker)... and asked him to remove the scotch tape before shipping it. Being a doctor, I know that tape will melt at 99.7 degrees and it might mar the front .

HIS ANSWER: I don't really have the time to clean the machine. I emailed him... and said, I don't want you to clean the machine, just remove the tape.

HIS ANSWER: Sorry, I already packed it. :-)

I received the machine and it was packed with lots of packing , when I removed the tape in question, the whole front fell off , fell on the floor and SHATTERED into many pieces. Needless to say that was( no problem) , I had it back together with plastic cement, black paint and a little black silicone, cleaned, nicely aligned and ready to go in 20 minutes.

He thought he pulled a fast one, but actually, this is a very nice looking example of an excellent beta machine.

To tell you the truth, from a few feet away it looks pretty darn good. Nobody deceives the 'OL DOC @ebay...HaHa!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992#ebayphotohosting <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992>;

Firstly, Been searching for this high end betamax for some time .. just pony up the dough and swooped up this baby for SONG.. I liked the seller, check out his old feedback before bidding.. I emailed him... and asked :Hi - I'm curious about the tape or scotch tape on the ( faceplate) of this high end betamax?HIS ANSWER: Yes there is a piece of tape on the front of the Betamax.I emailed him... (I am SUCH a troublemaker)... and asked him to remove the scotch tape before shipping it. Being a doctor, I know that tape will melt at 99.7 degrees and it might mar the front . HIS ANSWER: I don't really have the time to clean the machine. I emailed him... and said, I don't want you to clean the machine, just remove the tape. HIS ANSWER: Sorry, I already packed it. :-)I received the machine and it was packed with lots of packing , when I removed the tape in question, the whole front fell off , fell on the floor and SHATTERED into many pieces. Needless to say that was( no problem) , I had it back together with plastic cement, black paint and a little black silicone, cleaned, nicely aligned and ready to go in 20 minutes. He thought he pulled a fast one, but actually, this is a very nice looking example of an excellent beta machine. To tell you the truth, from a few feet away it looks pretty darn good. Nobody deceives the 'OL DOC @ebay...HaHa!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992#ebayphotohosting <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150041995992>;

I see where my favorite eBay annoyance (now that vcrgary is gone, God rest his careless, indifferent, mercenary, sloppy soul), tvvideoman, seems to be starting to run out of suckers for his low-end Sanyos. It looks overall like he's lowered his prices by $50, but now charges $25 for shipping.

This week he's offering an upscale piece of crap, a Sanyo 7250. I have just a few comments on his screechy description, which speaks for itself to anyone who knows anything about Beta machines. In any event, this is the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=110044734062

Again, this boor is selling as "refurbished" and reset to "factory specifications" a beaten machine with a missing door and the wrong remote (yep - just the way they rolled off the assembly line at Sanyo...), all of which he dismisses as insignificant.

Note his insulting manner toward the same sellers from whom he purchases (as eBay member SL1000) the very same machines he flips in his overpriced auctions. His droning diatribe, as I mentioned, speaks largely for itself, but I cannot help but noting with a belly laugh his line, "This is one of the last models produced by Sanyo and judging by its performance they finally "Got it right"." In other words, all his customers who has bought a 4010, 4020, 4400 or 4650 from him bought a pile of junk.

Another one that cracked me up is, "The level meters are bright with NO missing segments, something Sony was never able to consistently achieve." How the f--- would he know? He's never even sold a HiFi Sony machine - probably because he cannot buy one for $10 like the low-end Sanyos he buys to flip. I like the all-caps "NO" as a touching homage to the other primary eBay gouger, Someko. It would have been more authentic though had he stated "segments" without the "s." ;)

Firstly, months ago this seller had a Sony trinitron up for auction that I missed. I needed this type of portable color tv in order to evaluate my huge collection of betamax's as I rotate them back into the house from the stacks of Betamax decks in the back room. I asked this guy to email me if he had another Sony trinitron up for auction.

He emailed me that he had this monitor and it just might fit my needs. I emailed him back and told him that this was a Electrophysiology Monitor and what was he trying to pull. He told me "HELLO, it's also a monitor and if you don't want this that's fine".. I think? I remembered years ago seeing these in hospitals and at times they were used as monitors. Because it had terrific resolution, I grabbed it up ($5.00!) and at this time it works pretty good.

Problem is that their are no "audio" or "video" inputs. I really don't have time to fool with this and would be willing to let this go for $150.00 (lots of hard work invested). If I had about 1 full day I could have it running better than any trinitron. I did clean it, have it perfectly aligned and running pretty well with only 20 minutes of my time, not a penny more spent and no service manual.

It's a real sacrifice for me to offer this exciting video display device to the public. ON THE PLUS SIDE, this full color-high res monitor would be perfect for you Betaphiles with lots of decks and not enough monitors. Think about it and get back to me soon. I might change my mind. The Doc @ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26237&item=140019932509

I couldn't help it. For this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130037837392

I sent the seller the following message:

Hi - I'm curious about the working condition of this item. You state that you were able insert and eject a cleaning tape, but have no beta movie to test it. Yet in prior auctions for beta format VCRs, you indicated that you tested the machines, and in the recent auction for the Sanyop VCR 4500 you actually named the movie you tested it with and pointed out that the movie was not included in the auction. And I don't see that you have sold that movie in subsequent auctions. I would like to know why the 4500 and the SL-HF450 you recently sold were "tested," but this one was not. I think it would be helpful to a lot of people if you would opt to respond to this question in the auction listing rather than responding just to me personally. Thank you very much.

I am SUCH a troublemaker...

Another mild cringer:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-V-S36-Betamax-Beta-HiFi-VCR-VS36_W0QQitemZ280037059193QQihZ018QQcategoryZ39830QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Actually, this is a very nice looking example of an excellent beta machine - one which I think is better than all Sanyos and any Sony except the so-called "dream machines." Whoever wins it should be pretty pleased, provided the final price doesn't go much higher (it's $71 now) and provided the seller puts the original box in a bigger padded box. That might be a problem though because the seller is offering to ship it for under $20 - that's a 28 pound VCR, keep in mind. To either coast from Texas you're looking at a minimum of $32 just for the freight cost.

The part that gives me a bit of a chill though is this line in the description: "No remote, but all functions available from front panel." This may cause the buyer a lot of grief once they read the manual because it is significantly incorrect. I forget the precise list of features involved, but IIRC, the following features are not accessible without the remote: 2x playback, slow-tracking, vari-speed cue/review. The V-S36 was many things, among which it was one of the first "without the remote you're screwed" machines that are so common now.

Another surprise that I believe is true is that no other Toshiba remotes work on this machine - not even Toshiba beta remotes, and the universals that I tested did not have a code that would allow the universal remote to operate any of the functions on this unit.

This is one of the best machines you can buy and is often available at a decent price because it's a relative unknown. But for it to be a successful deck for you, a lot of stars have to be precisely in alignment!

Greg - If you mean the VMC-220A that converts the 26 pin out into line inputs and outputs, I wouldn't say that you are out of luck, but in many ways it's like you are. I looked for two years before finding one, and it was only by accident that I finally did because it was listed as a Zenith part for the VR-9800 and I just happened to be looking for a schematic for a Zenith radio at the time. Even then, it was $20 and shipping. My backup plan had been to get a TT-2000 service manual and identify the pinouts, cannibalize the connector/cord from cord from a TT-2000 and make my own Frankencord. If you are under a time constraint though, you might have to just pony up the dough. Fact is that for all my time and effort, the $95 would have been the more cost-effective way to go, even though the SL-2000 itself cost me only around $40.

Also note that the VMC-220A is not actually complete as such (at least the one I bought wasn't). It requires adaptors to convert the two 1/8" audio jacks to RCA jacks if your application requires it. Good luck.

I,d like to know if anyone have a time to scan and send me via email a copy of the SL-2500 quick connect guide manual i purchased the operating manual from Sony but the quick connect guide is not longer available from sony

THank You and greetings from Mexico and click on my blue mame to see my email

can anyone please help me locate the multipin connection for a SL2000 portable deck...the RCA/in and out cable. many thanksi saw one listed for $100 but cant afford that

Checking out YouTube for Betamax nummies...

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=betamax

First item on deck...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1XcYVbjwEQ

Old Aussie Advert for a TV/VCR sales/rental place. A VTC9300P featured prominently

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D6UR4LfwAw

Viva Sonyland! promotional...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmVtsBp1qQM

Betamax video tape being loaded and ejected...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cRGXVm3bxY

Lego people doing version of Apples Mac vs. PC advert. Is teh ghey...

Sorry I know I’m invading your site but just looking for some way to pass on my granddads collection to someone who will appreciate them. You can contact me by email [email protected]

Hi Alison,Regarding your Betamax inheritance. How do we contact you to discuss your hoard? I have had two messages returned by your server. Regards, Harold.

cari AMICI,vorrei sapere se esiste il Sony SL-C24PS betamax recorder..........tale sigla corrisponde ad apparecchio prodotto dalla sony?grazie

I have been left a number of old betamax recorders and tapes. All been stored in my late grandads house but now must go- the collection takes up lots of space. The list is long so here goes-

there are

9 brown Betamax S -C7UB (about 1979) and 1 silver

1 silver Betamax SL- C6 UB (fist type of front loader)

1 Brown Betamax C6 UB mark 2

1 black Betamax SL C3OUB

1 silver Betamax SL-F30

1 black/silver Betamax c20

1 silver that i cant find the model number but it has a big blue inferred square. it also says 14 days/8 programms on it.

1 Sony Portable video cassette recorder SL-FIUB

1 SONY UMATIC

1 philips VR2021 and tapes some still brand new with seal on.

2 Philips 1700 with approximately 800 tapes

there are also over a 1000 beta tapes some pre recorded, some tv recorded and some new.I couldn t say that these all work I know that many did at one time but have been stored for a long time. Just make my a decent offer and give them a good home and I'll be happy to let them go.

Luigi, È impossible da trovare i nuovi registratori di Betamax. Prova Ebay, per esempio:

http://cgi.ebay.it/SONY-SL-HF100EC-BETAMAX-Hi-Fi-BETA-REMOTE-MAN-VINTAGE_W0QQitemZ220036338670QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50606QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.it/VIDEOREGISTRATORE-BETAMAX-SONY-stereo_W0QQitemZ130035408007QQihZ003QQcategoryZ50606QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buona fortuna

Carpel Video has evaluated recycled SP Beta videotape at $5.99 for an SP30-small cartridge.

http://www.carpelvideo.com/items.htm?section=Evaluated%20Tapes&product=Beta%20SP&action=showdetail

SP30 new tapes run at lest than $10 a piece

http://www.carpelvideo.com/items.htm?section=New%20Tapes&Product=Beta%20SP&action=showdetail

Beats their $18 a tape per item price by a mile...

chi mi aiuta a trovare un videoregistratore betamax nuovo o funzionante per poter riversare le vecchie cassetet betamax su dvd?grazie.

(capisco solo l'italiano)

Is it me, or is this a bad deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-ED-Beta-Tapes-EL-500_W0QQitemZ130034090978

Ten new ED-500 tapes for $178.50? Would the buyer do any worse so far as tape quality and durability by picking up ten used SP20's for $20 -30?

I don't use Betacam SP tapes but I do use the oxide tapes, both new and used, and I cannot say with any certainty that I have ever seen so much as a single dropout on any one of them. I would assume that the same would apply to the SP tapes.

I require three cabinet screws for my recently aquired Sanyo VTC5000, can anyone help please. They are the black ones that secure the top cover.

Mercury Keller TV in Ohio is getting out of the Beta repair business in a few months when the owner's father retires. (614)258-9577I recomend them highly.

Please disregard my earlier email about availability of parts for the Sony videohead drum motor.

I have sourced a supply of the hall effect sensors and can now offer a changeover repair service for faulty drum motors in the Sony beta machines in addition to my changeover repair service for the Sony SLC9 DC/DC convertors. See my website www.betaheaven.com This is probably only of use to Australian beta enthusiasts.

regards Noel

Doctor1024, wash your mouth and keyboard with soap!Change to SVHS, that is insulting. Go to your room and think deeply about how many people you may hurt with such a statement. Unbelievable, VHS - that'll be the day.....

But it still won't replace the loving hand of my dear sweet mum as she diddles my rectal cavity. Oh how I miss her "Dirty Sanchezes"...

Firstly,I hate to gloat, but I picked up this little gem for a song. The seller didn't know what she had and I swooped in and got this baby for a song.

I remember when I was younger I saw this model at a super store on Route 283 in Elizabethtown, PA I asked the salesman if he could put it on lay away, he laughed and told me to come back when I had the money.

I wish I could show that salesman what I paid for the same unit today. Saved myself hundreds of dollars by waiting.

The only problem with this SVHS is there in NO POWER CORD. I'm sure the unit works and ON THE PLUS SIDE I have seen them repeatedly on ebay. Now with the BETAS gettin' on in years, we may all have to switch to the Super VHS side of taping.

Thanks DOC@ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21168&item=290009616430

Hi,

Does anyone know where replacement hall effect sensors can be obtained for the drum motors used in the later model (post 1980) Sony beta machines. They have four legs and the symbol 3D printed on them. They are indicated on Palsite at http://www.palsite.com/pcat_hmotor.html

regards Noel

Mikey - this will hopefully cure what ails your VTC5000:

http://www.colin99.co.uk/extras/reelidler/how_to_service_a_sanyo_beta.htm

Thank you, Charlie. I need to get a STK5441 anyway. Besides, no matter how distant it seems, it never takes me long to reach a threshhold minimum order. Once I get a look at what you are talking about precisely, I may try the "Frankenswitch" thing from an old VHS machine.

Shame it's not a Sanyo where a new idler tire seems to fix more or less any problem.

This is not a bad resolution. I figured it might have been something broken down in the pendulum arm or something worse, like a bad IC. This sounds like a somewhat easier fix.

All I have on the NECs are the 734 and 739, which I believe are built on a different chassis. Give a shout here though if you think there might be something helpful in those manuals and we'll see what we can do.

Hi everyoneI have a Sanyo VTC-5000 sitting in my loft (it was left there by the previous householder) I dont know when it was last used or if it plays tapes at all or chews them up. Are service kits still available for this model ? I want to get this machine up and running.By the way does anyone have a Philips G8 TV set or know of any for sale ?

Grace-- The problem with your SL-HF-400 is very common to that and the 300 model. The Tact ( function ) switches on the front have gotten corroded or dirty and need to be replaced on the RW and FF buttons. They're very easy to replace if you can solder and are really cheap. Sony uses a unique five leg switch that is kinda expensive but regular four leg ones work just as good and don't cost nearly as much.They can be purchased at MCM electronics in Dayton, Ohio but you better have other stuff you need cause they have a 25.00 minimum order.If you've got a old Vhs unit that has bit the dust you could take the switches out of it. The Betas switches are real short so you might have to ExActo knife a little off the VHS ones but they'll work! If you're looking in the catalog for them the full name is Tactile. Hope this helps you. Anybody out there got a copy of a service manual for a NEC VC65?

I bought a while ago a Sony SL-HF900 for $49.99 (Cleveland Browns Football Training Camp) that arrived in perfect shape.

I also bought a universal remote on eBay for this excellent HF-900 Betamax. On the plus side, the seller told me that it was a COMBO, infrared and wired in one.

I spent a pretty penny and sure that others have bought this COMBO Wire and Infrared in one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21168&item=320013867697

Could some one inform me what adapter is needed to transform this excellent remote into a SLF900 shuttle remote? I'm hoping someone has encountered this before and has a real, real easy answer. Anyone? The DOC @ ebay VT in the USA

This NYT article from 1998 was linked in my gmail inbox today. Might be of interest here. I'm posting both the link and the text of the article because the NYT may require a login.

http://tech2.nytimes.com/mem/technology/techreview.html?_r=2&res=9E06E5D81F3BF931A35757C0A96E958260&oref=slogin&oref=login

April 2, 1998, Thursday Also Loving And Losing: Betamax Fans By PETER H. LEWIS NOT all dinosaurs were stupid, and not all of them are dead. Sony's Betamax, for instance, lives on. The video cassette recording and playback technology that Sony put in permanent ''pause'' mode in 1988 still has a devoted following and, thanks to the Internet, a number of lively forums where die-hards can swap technical tips, spare parts and commiseration. ''Just a couple of months ago, we had an E-mail writing campaign to Sony to demand that a new Betamax machine be marketed in the United States,'' said Wallace White, a mechanical engineering student at Stanford University who bought a relic Betamax at a garage sale and now lugs it back and forth from his home in Nashville because of its superior sound and visuals in recording movies.

NOT all dinosaurs were stupid, and not all of them are dead. Sony's Betamax, for instance, lives on. The video cassette recording and playback technology that Sony put in permanent ''pause'' mode in 1988 still has a devoted following and, thanks to the Internet, a number of lively forums where die-hards can swap technical tips, spare parts and commiseration.

''Just a couple of months ago, we had an E-mail writing campaign to Sony to demand that a new Betamax machine be marketed in the United States,'' said Wallace White, a mechanical engineering student at Stanford University who bought a relic Betamax at a garage sale and now lugs it back and forth from his home in Nashville because of its superior sound and visuals in recording movies.

But Mr. White said it did not take an engineer to figure out that the writing campaign of the newsletter, which has a circulation of about 350, was unlikely to cause Sony to rewind its decision.

A spokeswoman for Sony's office in America, caught off guard by a question about Betamax, declined to speculate on whether the company would ever introduce a new Betamax for the consumer market. She said the professional versions of the Betamax, for video producers, were going strong worldwide.

But when a reporter used Sony's own Web site to try to track down and buy the one Betamax model that is still supposed to be available in the United States, the database of dealers came up empty.

As recently as a few years ago, the Betamax community still counted several thousand loyalists. But like old soldiers in the technology wars, they are fading away. Some of the old soldiers have fought in more than one campaign.

At the Beta Informer site, a Betamax fan who called himself Ken H. wrote recently: ''Since most of us agree that the Beta format is the superior videotape format, I am curious as to which computer most of us use, i.e., Mac or IBM/Wintel. I use a Mac -- I own 6 of them, just like I own eight Beta machines.''

Randy Kaempen of Chicago responded, ''I have six Macs, a Quadra 950, a Quadra 650, a Powermac 7200/120, a Mac IIci, an SE/ 30 and a Powerbook 170. I also have a G3 266 on order.''

Mr. Kaempen also confessed to having a lone Gateway PC and (gasp) a VHS machine for playing prerecorded tapes, but he quickly re-established his credibility in the group by noting, ''My Betas include 2 SL-HF1000's, 2 HF-HF900's, an SL-HF650, and an SL-HF400.''

''My brother says I pick 'loser' technologies,'' Mr. Kaempen added, ''but I prefer to think that I pick technologically superior technologies, regardless of their popularity.''

What will it take to finally drive a stake through the hearts of Betamax fans, who, after a decade as the technologically undead, are now often reduced to pawing through garage sales for tapes, old machines and spare parts?

''When they come out with a recordable digital format, like DVD, that would probably signal the eventual end of Beta,'' said Mr. White, who maintains a Beta Lore Web page ''as a home for stories of man and machine, of the trials and tribulations of Beta patrons.''

Site-Seeing: Betamax

For those who still vow ''Beta forever,'' here are some World Wide Web links.

RAY GLASSER'S ULTIMATE BETAMAX INFORMATION GUIDE: home.earthlink.net/videoholic

BETAMAX PALSITE: www.elektratec.demon.co.uk

BETA LORE: www-leland.stanford.edu/whitew/Beta

THE BETA INFORMER: www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/EMA/ Beta/Informer

THE BETAPHILE CLUB: condor.lpl.arizona.edu/vance/ betaphile.html

You always know just what to say, Olive. I see that my clarification didn't do a lick of good though. Well, I tried and, on the plus side, didn't seem to make things much worse.

Question for anyone: my SL-HF400, after a lenghty hiatus in the back room, has come up for rotation "in service" but has developed an interesting problem: the transport system moves the tape fast forward whether I press FF or Rew, and does the same in Cue/Review/Betascan mode as well. Play works fine. Picture, sound etc. were never better. It's just that one thing.

Before I start digging around in there, I'm hoping someone has encountered this before and has a real, real easy answer. Anyone?

Firstly, I bought this baby for a song. It looked like it was stored in an open barn. I whipped off the mildew, sprayed a little WD on the play buttons and it worked like the day it was manufactured. Most every Betamax I buy operates after a 20 minute "spruce-up". This is why I get so upset with the units with a new belt, MISSING doors and no remote portrayed as "factory new." These old units were made to last and if you spend more than $ 30. 00 on e-Bay, you are just as stupid as the sellers that charge 8 times that price for the same models with lipstick.

I also bought this vintage CINDERELLA on beta.. They don't make cartoons like that anymore. Shame, I could watch that movie 100 times. My kid likes it too. Each time I view this film I see something I missed the last time. A bag of popcorn a beta and Cinderella is like winning the lottery .

Just my opinion..DOC@ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200024191541

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39830&item=260005872822

Well hello guys,I have this SL-HF860D running in perfect condition that I wanted to sell.How much does the Bettie goes around the net? 50,100,150$ ?Can I have the picture from you fellas?Regards

Ungermann.

To Grace. I wouldn'tt worry too much about that toothless chupacabra trolling under assumed names from his mommy's AOL account.

To clarify the plagiarized use of some information I had previously posted here, it is incorrect to say that ziggi charges the same for machines as does MrBetamax. What I had originally stated was that for what the ebay seller tvvideoman charges for low end machines like a VCR4650, you could get a similar or the same unit for about the same price (and sometimes even less) from MrBetamax and get a fully refurbished unit, etc., instead of the aircanned, windexed POS garage sale Sanyos without doors, manuals or remotes that tvvideoman sells. And you wouldn't have to endure the obnoxious, patronizing, smarmy sales pitch in which this putz insults and browbeats the same people from whom he purchased the very machine he is listing.

I didn't read the entire post regarding the 7300 in which my original material also reappeared, but it looks at first blush to have been sloppily pasted into an othwise rambling post as well and probably also does not reflect proper context. Even though you can scroll up and find these mangled quotes from me, there's no point in naming names since anyone can post under any name here, but I will say that the person who is doing it, based on what appear to be other posts in the same style, comes across as about as reckless, chaotic, disorganized and sloppy a "hobbyist" I have ever encountered anywhere. For example, it seems remarkably incongruous to give advice on portable beta machines (in the form of stolen info on the VCR7300) yet not know that an SL-2000 is not a HiFi machine, and not understand the Beta 101 distinction between Betamaxes and beta format VCRs from manufacturers other than Sony.

It's great to be enthusiastic about anything that shows an appreciation for the works of others, old technology and breathing life into things otherwise destined for the scrapheap, but to do so in such a scatterbrained and borderline hysterical manner tends to dull the edge of even the best intentions.

Lars,

The power supplies of the C5 and the C7 are quite a bit different and not interchangeable. The C7 usually blows a fuse when the switchmode capacitors dry out, hence no noise at all. If yours still makes a noise then maybe the capstan or ring load mechanisms are trying to work but it has belt problems. That is the most usual problem in C5 and C7. To check the belts requires removal of the bottom cover and swinging out the circuit boards after you remove "key" marked screws at various points on those boards and two connectors as you swing the boards out. You might also be able to see the load position of the machine from the top side anyway when the cover is removed.

Regards Noel

Available PDF Betamax Manuals from Sony

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/BMC110.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SL20.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SL2300.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SL2500.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SL2700.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SL390.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF2000.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF2100.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF300.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF400.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF360.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHFR70.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLHF870D.PDF

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SLS600.PDF

I recently bought a Betamax C7 on a flea market. When i plug it in, the display lights up, but if i press the "on" button it makes a "fzzzz..." sound and nothing more happens. Probably some kind of short circuit. I was wondering if anyone else may have experienced this problem and knows what may have happened. May it be as simple as a power supply problem? I have a perfectly working Betamax C5 which seems to be a pretty similar construction, and i am willing to take parts from the C5 to get the C7 working if necessary. I have fairly good electronics skills, and i am well equipped with tools, like multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator and so on, so i schould be able to test most things in there.

Firstly, that a hard maual to find. Might want to go to Mr Betamax. He has a large selection.

I bought this baby below, put a toggle switch in for the (on/off) switch. Looks funny but it works some what. But I cant get the tape out. Any suggestions why it won't eject. The loader was very dry and rusty so I lubed all the post with WD. Any help??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39830&item=130028319958

Does anybody know how I can download an instruction manual? Several people have told me it can be done, but nobody seems to know HOW! I require the instruction manual for a Sony HF100UB

The SL-2000 had a VMC-220 adapter that eliminated the need to run video thru the tuner module (there were also camera-plug A/V in/out adapters). Could also be coupled with an AC-220 adapter power brick (or DCC-2400 car adapter) as well as the ACP-220 battery slot power pack.

Firstly, I own a few (like about 13!) SL-2000's and physically the Sears presents a much cleaner look. As far as it being HI-FI, you might be correct "OLIVE". As you can see I buy numerous Betamax's on eBay and it's hard to keep track of the HI-FI and Mono units.As quoted on a previous post ".....the Sanyo 7300 is much easier for putting together as a truly portable unit than the SL-2000 or Zenith VR-9800, which require the very rare ACP-220 (unless you want to swap NP-1 batteries every hour or lug the tuner unit around with you) and a carrying case of some sort. Also, the 7300 has standard line outputs so you don't have to use the composite RF out. With the Sony or Zenith, you would need an insanely rare adaptor to convert the 26 pin output into line inputs for the monitor else you have to use the composite RF output. So there are a lot of reasons to own one of these. The challenge is convincing potential bidders." Don't you agree that the 7300 beats the s out of all portables?I wonder what your opinion is of all the folks that buy 2-head non-HiFi machines like the Sony SL-2300 (not including the wired remote) and SL-2400 series machines for $250 and more. So let’s see, even by my math that seems to be more than 30 times as much as I paid for this now beautifully semi working Sears portable.

Look, I buy everything in sight that captivates my imagination and is alluring to my passion for the Betamax phenom. Just my opinion, :)

Oh and by the way, I also bought a while ago a Sony SL-HF900 for $49.99 (Cleveland Browns Football headquarters) that arrived in perfect shape ( other than some persistant streaks in the video...I whipped up a new formula for a head cleaning solution that should solve this minor glitch) along with a dozen L-750 tapes. I wonder what you must think of the buyer who just paid more than $380 for the same machine tonight? The DOC @ ebay

The Sears 5356 portabeta is not a 4-head nor HiFi unit. It's actually based on a Toshiba model. The SL-2000( SL-F1 ) is a much better unit by far.

Should of course be: Is this rant between THE two of you for real?

Hey Chaps, Is this rant between to two of you for real?

There is something important you need to understand about good ol’ “GRAIG”--he is pursuing a personal vendetta against me. You can tell this is a personal vendetta because he only goes after me, despite the fact that I have posted interesting facts on this page.

Apparently, good ol’ “GRAIG” thinks this site was created so he could hijack it as a forum for his own twisted purposes? Others should commenton the fact that good ol’ “GRAIG” is sick and requires professional attention, so that is certainly not in question. All he needs is any kind of trigger from me to go off. You see, just like a mongrel dog can be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell, good ol’ “GRAIG” will respond to any post from me. So, anyone who JEALOUS of the Betamax's I buy will get an immediate and idiotic response from that cowardly mongrel. Try it because after all, don’t we ALL need to hear more of what good ol’ “GRAIG” has to say? I mean, he must really think highly of all of us if he thinks we need him post negatives about me.

What more can be said about good ol’ “GRAIG" maybe the rest of you can tell good ol’ “GRAIG valuable his posts have been to you, how much you’ve learned about Betas from him, how much you’ve learned about respect for others, and how you are so looking forward to reading more of his esoteric entries on this site

DOC @ ebay

Hey Doc, lve been following your rants on and off for a considerable time, and lve come to the conclusion that You need to see a Doc!...Get a life, mate! Jeez...

This particular model that I was lucky to win (Sears Roebuck Portable Betamax VCR w/ Tuner & Case.VCR Model#562.53560050 Tuner Model#562.53560150.Unit is in very good condition.Includes Battery,Manual,Case) I think it's a 4-head Beta HiFi with lots of nice features (e.g., 3 slow motion and 2x speeds). I also happen to have 3 others, two of which had the same problem as the one listed. In other words, here is a machine that I know very well, know exactly how to fix, and even have an extra remote and manual to use with it. From the listing you can see that the machine is cosmetically excellent, so clearly there is no particular reason to believe that the machine has been dropped or been abused. I only bought the VCR repair book to keep updated on this unit.

I’m sure you will be delighted to know that within 20 minutes of figuring how to open the top of the sears betamax, without spending another penny I had the machine working like the day it was made. It was cleaned, nicely aligned, and every function worked perfectly. Any problems must be my old tapes

Some on this site have commented that the 2 piece made by sears is one of the best Betamax ever made.

If your sore about me getting a great betamax for a cheap price, then get over it.

THE DOC @ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300020875085

Hey Grace, Do you want to tell the world that you are a lowlife loser with nothing better to do than abuse this site? If all you are is a pimple on society’s ass, and all you have to do is spend your life looking at (and then idiotically reporting on this site) what folks buy on “old bay” then all you have to do is sign on using this moniker. At the same time, you can delude your psychotic self that the good folks on this site care. Remember, the only requirement is that you are a no life loser. Be sure to use CAPS liberally while you write your sociopathic text, and then be sure to sign it... thanks in advance, The DOC @ ebay.

Hi

I'm in Edinburgh and, having got rid of my Sony C5 a few years ago, I need to get something off a Betamax cassette. It's B&W mono so almost any Betamax machine should be able to do it. Are there any Betamax owners in the Edinburgh area who can either lend me their machine or copy my Betamax to either VHS or DVD ?

Thanks

Hello again peoples - its been a while. I notice a nice video head tester is listed on eBay for a small fortune.

See http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170031644639

I don't know that they are that rare. I picked one up on eBay and it cost me about $35 Australia.

BUT THEN AGAIN SOMEONES PRICES WERE ALWAYS A BIT RICH!

This site has some pix of the inside of an SL-C9 which is similar to your VCR...

http://www.saitosite.com/av/av9912/slj9.html

Should be usefull in finding your way around

Olive E Thomas, thank you for the link. Is there anything I can try or anything I could look for to see if it is the rubber tyres and belts that are the problem? I'm looking to try and determine if these are the problem parts before ordering. Thanks.

i.d like to know if anyone have a time to scan and send via email an copy of the MLV-1100 stereo decoder operating manual if anyone have one please let me know at my email by clicking at my blue name to see my email

Thank you and greetings from Mexico

Anyone can send me via email a copy of the SL-hf550 betamax Please let me know at my email by clicking on my blue name to see my email

thank you and greetings from Mexico

Hi my name is Ivan from MExico and i,d like to know if anyone have an time to scan and send me via email the two owners guides of the SL-2500 Betamax the one is sl-2500 Quik connect Guide and is the sl-2500 Operating manuals Please let me know via email by cliking my blue name to see my email

Thank youand greetings from Mexico

As for the LED and display change problems.

If I recall ,the "LEDs" are in fact incandescent light bulbs and likely need changing. It was a transitional time for electronics and I believe Sony still used a incandescent bulbs. The channel indicators were incandescents and sometimes you'd lose a couple.

Try and replace the belts and tyres first. At the very least, you can roughen up the idler tyres you have with sandpaper to see if that gets things working till you can get proper replacements. If you can get a decent picture you'll be able to judge whether it's worth proceeding.

The buttons on the clock display panel have likely been mashed out and need replacing as well. Not an easy repair if you don't have a service manual (and not too easy with) as they don't make the tact switches needed anymore. I ended up scavanging channel changer buttons from a dead SL-5800 to repair the buttons on my SL-5400.

To Paul. The problem is likely worn rubber tyres and belts.

http://www.iglou.com/studiosound/mbk-91.htm

Has belt and tyre kits for your VCR.

Hi, I have a Sony SL-5800 beta machine. The problem I am having is that when I insert a tape, the tape will be taken in and wound correctly but when I press play, rewind, or forward the machine will fire up like it is getting ready to play but then stop right away, no picture is ever displayed on screen; when this happens, the tape itself seems to loosen a bit as it doesn't seem as tightly wound as when it is first inserted. Ejecting the tape is no problem, though. Can anyone provide some information as to what may be causing this problem and what I could try and do to fix this problem? I don't know if this is relevant to the above problem but the VCR also has problems with its Power, Pause/Freeze, Record, and Fast Play LEDs, they won't light up, and the clock display can't be changed as the buttons don't seem to work. Thanks.

Harold, theres an SLHF 950 going for an incredible 750 quid on e-Bay in the UK at the moment, although lm sure you wouldnt encourage people selling overpriced gear like that by buying it. l got a mint one recently with manual and the older remote (without jog/ shuttle- theres also one of these going for an insane 200 quid ),for a little over half that price. lm still looking for a reasonably priced later jog/ shuttle remote for it, Regards, Craig.

I DID hear laughter and somebody saying "what the hell is a SL-C950?" Of course I meant a SL-HF950. Stupid me!!

Urgently wanted: Betamax SONY video machine, either a SL-C9 or preferably a SL-C950.Reasonable price paid for either - no laughs, please!

Amusing question was posted for that SL-5800....

Q: Hi, I have miniDV tapes, and I want to put them onto Beta SP...can this machine do that??? If so, how? Thank you!

Sep-10-06

A: Hi, if I understand you correctly you want to play you camera and record it on the Sony SL-5800 in standard play. Do you have a video and audio cable coming out of your mini DV recorder? Of course you do, hook it up to the video and audio inputs of the beta machine and hit record, it s that simple. This machine also has a feature that lets you dub the audio as you are recording. When this button is pressed you talk into the mike and it will record what you are saying onto that portion of the tape you are playing. I will even give you a microphone that will work with this. Let me know what your connectors look like coming out of your mini DV recorder. Are they yellow and white by any chance? If you let me know what you have I will include anything you may need to get you recording. Greg

Actually the dude intimated that he wanted to know if this was a Beta SP deck - which it wasn't...

You know, sometimes people just wont spend enough to just buy a UNIT THAT WORKS..LOL

This poor slob, has bought at least 100 units just this year..

He finally bought a VCR & Beta repair book..

Dont have the time to post every unit and remote, rewinders that this poor person has bought in the hopes of getting a beta that at least will show some form of picture ..

Check the links below , but do it before eating

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39830&item=230004989711

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300020875085

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21168&item=290009616430

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180026911796

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200024191541

If you look at the bidder list you will see a "reserve met" note. Still $175 seems a bit much for an SL-5800. Haven't been looking at eBay for a while but it would seem you could get a functional HiFi for that much.

Argh. Just occurred to me that there may have been a reserve on the 5800. I can't recall whether eBay leaves that information on completed auction listings. Because that information may be of some strategic use to someone, my guess is that eBay no longer leaves it on the listing after the auction closes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190029944454

Another strange one. Same bidder placed 3 bids, each of the last two times outbidding himself by $25. He was the only bidder yet paid $50 more than the minimum bid.

I know that's hard to know at the time, but it still looks strange. And expensive.

Help, Hi-Fi playback distort in my SL-HF400(NTSC N. America).

Linear audio track works OK, but Hi-Fi channel output level is too high, giving Oversaturation distortion. The Left channel is even Worse than the Right channel.

At least 3 ICs work for Audio Frequency Modulation/Demodulation: CX20104 and 2*CX20105. I can not find their document.

North America NTSC Beta Hi-Fi VCRs work a little bit different than PAL machines: they don't use the 2 extra Hi-Fi audio Heads, but only 2 Video heads. Because of the higher drum speed in NTSC, the audio carrier(1.38MHz~1.83MHz) are put between Chrom and Lumi carrier.

Could any friends give me some suggestions, the documents of the 2 Hi-Fi ICs, and/or SL-HF400's service manual?

Hi SLS

Thanks for your advice.The old bus is going along nicely. I try to avoid rewinding in play mode, seems to make picture go wobbly for a split second.

Loads of Betamax stuff for sale !! , various sony machines , c5, 6,7,40,sL100 ,C9 , in varing states of working order mainly for spares ,c9 is mint with instructions and remote but needs new video head, bmc100 in perfect working order ,10 batteries all good!, bmc 500 in excellent condition with multi battery charger works when it feels like it !, various other Sony acessories and bits. Also Sanyo vtc 5000 x2 , 5150 ,6150,all in perfect working order,loads of spare boards from various Sony machines ...there is more but i've lost count ! , 4 boxes of brand new L750 12 in a box , over 700 used tapes, many only used once, loads of ex rental tapes, mostly good titles!!, a few, err, more grown up films in there too !!!. In all a van load of gear that I need to sell to make some space !.... 300 quid the lot !!!....if I could be bothered to list this lot on Ebay I would make more than double ...but I can't lol!... contact me on 07894910233 or E mail . ...The items are in Warrington cheshire,I prefer to sell it all in one go if poss, can deliver for a small fee.

Alas, it would seem that my SL950 requires a complete new head and a new tuning cardSince I am not prepared to spend the cost to rectify this problem; I now have machine available for spare parts. Anyone interested, make me an offer!

Hey babe, Dont feel bad.. I have a pile of Betamax that would put your to shame.

Yours has bad rubber, Mine IM afraid to plug in..

I do buy many units on eBay.. I guess you could say Im challenged.. I have close to evey Betamax made and I continue to buy more???

I cant repair them and running out of piles to store them.. I know that this hobby has taken me over, but its better than buying piles of VHS,S.. Cant say that, I bought a few great non working vintages VHS. I guess its better hobby than buying baseball cards.

It wouls be a shame to have a pile of cards out in the living room, basement and in the parlor..

Beta rules, even if they dont work..DOCTORBTW...out on Route 283 in Elizabethtown, PA there's a dude in a hospital selling a 7300....let me know if anyones interested????

If anyone have an SL-5800 operating manual to scan and send me via email please click in my blue name to see my email addrees i will waiting

Thank you

SONY BETAMAX SL-C7 VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER WITH OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS MANUALUSED BUT IN EXCELLENT CONIDTION, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT

Norm - The absence of 7300's on eBay actually is a good sign. They were more prevalent a couple years back but the supply seems to have dried up. If I had one in the condition that you described, I'd photograph it well and put up for a starting bid of $25, a reserve of $75 and optionally a BIN of $125. There are a lot of variables including your eBay comfort level, feedback score, your thoughts on what the machine is worth, etc., so this isn't the only possible solution, obviously. It was actually yesterday that I read your post so I don't recall whether you had indicated whether it came with a manual and remote, but those would of course indicate a higher price structure. I have never in five years seen one for sale with the owner's manual. The remotes rarely come with them either but it's a relatively common remote that was also supplied with I think the 4500 and the 4590. The 7300's are nice machines. I have one in the pile that needs rubber, and might get around to it when the weather turns. It's a nice unit for bringing Beta rarities into the homes of others. Although the picture is not quite as good and you lose the dropout compensation (I think - anyone? Olive?), the 7300 is much easier for putting together as a truly portable unit than the SL-2000 or Zenith VR-9800, which require the very rare ACP-220 (unless you want to swap NP-1 batteries every hour or lug the tuner unit around with you) and a carrying case of some sort. Also, the 7300 has standard line outputs so you don't have to use the composite RF out. With the Sony or Zenith, you would need an insanely rare adaptor to convert the 26 pin output into line inputs for the monitor else you have to use the composite RF output. So there are a lot of reasons to own one of these. The challenge is convincing potential bidders. Good luck. :)

That SL-2500 seems to have come with a set of A/V cords still attached. Presumably they don't have a TV set available in the shop they've got the VCR holed up in...

Or they didn't realise that only the Video in/out connections use the RCA jack and are confused as to why they can't get a picture...

Hello All! It's been a fairly long time since I posted here. I am considering the saleof my Sony SL-HFR70 and my HFP -200 units. I think it needs to be mentioned that I am theone and only owner of both units. I bought them both new in the mid-1980s and have owned them ever since. They are both in excellent condition; and unlike most units I have all the original owner's manuals, the original Sony shipping cartons with foam inserts, and the original remote control. I had the VCR unit rebuilt about three years ago by the same technician that services all my professional video equipment; and everything works as new. I have rarely used these units; as I have a workhorse Sony GCS-50 unit that I use to transfer most of the Betamax tapes people bring into my studios. (Not to mention which many of these tapes are in poor condition anyway - so why mess up a good VCR!) Would enjoy getting some feedback on what these units might be worth if I put them up for sale on E-Bay. Also, if any of you in the USA would like to make an interesting offer, please feel free to e-mail me. Many thanks to all who respond.

Another sad-but-entertaining listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-Betamax-Video-VCR-SL-2500-Recorder-Player_W0QQitemZ270028281731

SL-2500. Description states "Power tested only, and confirmed that it powers on; but we haven't tested the item any further with tapes and such."

Yet two pics below show line cords connected to the outputs. Wonder what he wasn't testing there...

Heavens, I hate to watch people do this to themselves:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Betamax-Beta-Hi-Fi-Video-Player-SL-HF300-w-remote_W0QQitemZ260028320903QQihZ016QQcategoryZ39830QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The machine isn't even in very good cosmetic condition. Photos hide a lot of wear and such on these things, and truly "pristine" ones tend to have a special look to them which is clearly missing here.

Hi, I have a excellent condition SL-HF100UB machine complete with remote control and tons of leads up for sale. There's loads of Sony Super Alvin Hi-Fi tapes too. Anyone out there interested. UK only please. [this machine is VERY HEAVY to post]

Hi I have just put on Ebay now a SL-HFR70 with the beta hi-fi prosessor, I don't think at this time its showing up yet, I just wanted to give you guys first crack at it. here is the link thanks http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&item=110031330501&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

TO ANYONE WHO WANT TO SEND ME THE MANUALS PLEASE CLICK ON MY BLUE NAME TO SEE MY EMAIL I WOUL APPRECIATED

THANK YOU

SLHF 950 remote wanted. Not the RMT 223 which lve got. lm after the later MT 232 with jog/ shuttle, and will swap for the 223 and throw in a few quid Sterling or $, if youre that way inclined. Nice to see you all back again, Regards, Craig.

Thank you Noel for those tips, all of which I have tried. I'm pretty sure it's something to do with the heads or possibly a pinch roller. I have a place in Croydon to try and sort it out. It's a case of motivating my weary bones to drive down there from the Midlands.The expert in question is Alfie at Audio Centre, telephone No: 020 8681 1964. I've spoken to him via telephone and he certainly seems to know his Betamax machines.Regards, Harold

Harold,

Regarding you playback problems. Could be a number of causes.

1/ Clean the heads with a cleaning tape. The HiFi heads are seperate but run the same as the video heads across the tape diagonally. 2/ Open the RHS panel. Adjust the normal tracking control to the centre position. This should be correct for tapes recorded on this machine but may need adjustment when playing back tapes recorded on another machine.3/ You also have a mono linear sound track along the edge of the tape. Set the Beta HiFi switch behind the RHS panel from auto to normal to here this sound track.4/ Another thing, if you open the cassette shell cover, you can inspect the tape surface to see if there is any damage.

regards Noel

Obviously that my KX21HG1 vertical IC has gone by the wind. I peek around the NET but none offered the IC. Lucky that IC still produced in ASIA region. A perfect match MONITOR for Beta machine that has SCART connector N is still alive nowadays.20 years is a very long life for BETAMAX machine. Can you find home electronics that old,in the millenium?? I doubt it.

Cheers ,Boby mc.

Greetings from a new member. I have been reading with mounting interest and excitement, this PALsite which I cam across within the last few hours. I have a Sony SL-950 which I cherish, but alas has developed a fault which is beyond my understanding. The picture is perfect; the sound is good, but when I record playback, the sound stops for say, 20 seconds and then resumes; stops again for 10 seconds and resumes. This occurred recently when recording "Who shot down Douglas Bader?". Although the picture was perfect as usual, the sound gave up intermittently from about 1/3rd from the start of the tape until the end.Anyone have any thoughts. Must be something to do with the audio heads. What say you?

HAROLD KOSTER

Further to my last post (re-produced below), I live in the UK so that means PAL, predominantly. I would like to be able to offer a service where I could handle NTSC and SECAM if possible as well (if multi-format machines aren't in existance or particularly hard to find I can live without this). As for audio, I would *definitely* be wanting to handle Hi-Fi audio, together with linear stereo and mono soundtracks.

Cheers,

Rob.

> Hi, What do people recommend in the way of a good quality Betamax deck to look out for? > I'm currently buying in decks and computer equipment to start off a freelancing digital > restoration service. What would be ideal to go after for my purposes? Cheers, Rob.

I have a box of 10 new sealed L750s for sale, Scotch 3M EXG. $ 30 plus shipping from New Hampshire USA.

I have spare SL-C9 parts! Parts may fit other Sony recorders as well. Mail me for info.

The SLO-1800 has a PCM switch which handles the dropout compensator. I use one for all my PCM playback.

I still cannot get Sony betamodel 5200 to stop blinnking and if anyone can help to stop blinking I thankyou. The picture is clear then it goes bad then clear.Thank you. Frenchie

Sam,

Offhand, it sounds like your tape movement sensor is not working. Does your tape counter move? In many machines, there is a magnetic sensor attached to the tape counter. If this sensor doesn't 'see' any tape movement, it stops the machine (in play/record only). In most machines there is a belt that runs the tape counter that will need to be replaced and/or the tape counter cleaned and lubed.