Yes , unfortunately. See IP address below

</td></tr><tr><td width="20%%" valign=top bgcolor="#ddddee"> <font face="Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica"><b><a title="Email: [email protected]" href="mailto: [email protected]">Colonel Klink</a></b><br><font size=-1>3rd July 2008<BR>1:10 pm U.K.</font><!-- 125447 1/1215087052 cache-mtc-ah11.proxy.aol.com --></td><td width="80%" valign=top bgcolor="#ffffdd"><font face="Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica">Best value for the money in the Sony line IMO is the <a title="Details on PALsite" class="details_on_palsite" href="http://www.palsite.com/slhf300ovi.html">SL-HF300.</a> <DIV style="line-height : 50%"> ;</DIV>

They are ultra-reliable, very high quality machines and can be had for under $100 on eBay. Very few of them have any problems, so if the seller says it works, it's probably more than good enough for transferring beta tapes to DVD or VHS.<DIV style="line-height : 50%"> ;</DIV>

Just make sure you get one with the control panel door if you intend to keep the machine. ("Cosmetic" flaws are not meaningless as sellers would have you believe.)

The psycho-idiot is back, stealing both monikers and material.

Best value for the money in the Sony line IMO is the SL-HF300.

They are ultra-reliable, very high quality machines and can be had for under $100 on eBay. Very few of them have any problems, so if the seller says it works, it's probably more than good enough for transferring beta tapes to DVD or VHS.

Just make sure you get one with the control panel door if you intend to keep the machine. ("Cosmetic" flaws are not meaningless as sellers would have you believe.)

Thankyou Noel - the M10 just arrived in the mailCheers for the quick serviceExpect the first C6 in the mail in 2 to 3 weeks time

Cheers

Boy, I wish I could justify grabbing this one. No way it lasts very long even though the seller won't ship overseas. SL-F50 (PAL) for $50 BIN. Wow.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Betamax-SL-F50-Beta-VCR-Must-See-L-K-110V-220V_W0QQitemZ160257255976QQihZ006QQcategoryZ39830QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Kevin,

I have not noticed any thing. The site seems to be working fine at the moment.

cheers Noel

Hi Noel:I've just contacted Michael privatley with his issues about the M40. I tried to leave my views here but for some reason the board would not accept it .No matter how many times i tried ....Over long post maybe??......................Kevin

Michael,

To solve your problems with the M40 you will need to do a little more investigation by taking the top cover of your machine lifting a circuit board, removing another cover and looking at what happens to the tape as it plays.

Kevin might be able to help you more as he is the Sanyo expert.

Two of the things you mention 9poor sound and tape hanging out of the ejected cassette lead me to believe it needs a new belt kit fitted.

If you watch the tape playing you might note that the pickup reel is not pulling smoothly or indeed that the tape appears a little slack going back into the cassette.

When you eject the tape the forward reel is supposed to gather the excess tape as the loop is unwound from around the heads. When the rubber parts wear they get hard thus slipping and the belts lose tension.

Hope this helps - Noel

You're welcome Michael, sorry to say if what you're saying the tape was spill out of the casing after a while of playing then I must say that one of your reel motor fail to response or refuse to do it's job. That's the big picture I can draw. I could be wrong about this but those 2 REEL drives have to be in synchronized state in order to have the tape walks in steady conditon/tracks otherwise the tape can go everywhere.

I hope this is not the problem on your Sanyo.

Cheers.

Thanks Boby. Goodness me, there seems to be so many things it could be. The tapes I tried in the machine vary in age - so hopefully it isn't that.

I've emailed the seller too for advice - as it's a little early for things to be going wrong! Fingers crossed for a positive response.

PS; in some cases, just cleaning the tape path (including DRUM) would fix the problem.

Michael Wincott

I answer you question in 'general' hereby; 1) That could slippery or sticky capstan/pinch roller.(cleaning require)

2) Old sticky tapes. (works OK on some machine but not on other)

3) Weak or low tension or loosing tension. (betamax tensioner tape require for back to factory spec)

4) You could be into Motor or driving circuitry problem.( this is hard for me to explain)

5) Hall effect sensing problem.(replace parts)

6) Dry out capasitor/ electrolitic caps.(replace parts)

7) Friction on mechanical stuff.(greasing/lube require)

8) Belts problem.(replace parts)

Point 3,4,5,6 have relation on each of them.

Maybe other Member can add..

Regards,Boby.

[email protected] Addn to last post; About the non responding front button, you can start from fuse or the logic control unit (not very sure cos I got no chance inspecting my C7 ) There also a micro fuse(somwhat identical to silicon transistor-shaped with only 2 leg). You can begin inspecting wiring from the front panel side and see where the problem is. Should be not so difficult to find.

Regards,Boby

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice please. I've just purchased a rather nice Sanyo VTC-M40 from eBay - but I've already run into difficulty.

After viewing a pretty good quality tape for about 30mins the audio suddenly became muffled. I rewound the tape and what had been nice clear audio was now also muffled. When I ejected the cassette, some of the tape had come out. This happened with 4 or 5 different tapes (all of which were fine on another machine).

Is this a massive problem or is it easy to fix?

Thanks,

Michael

Noel:Yes i too love to see ANY Beta resurrected or working A1.As i deal mainly in Sanyo the issues or breakages are rare. With broken gears non exsistent but the door hinges M10,M20 ,M40 and some 5000 & 5150) are normally broken due to carelessness and rough handling.I did come across a Sanyo 65000 once with a broken plastic gear for the cassette slot loading mechanism.Nevertheless i try to come up with sollutions myself to get these great machines in %110 condition and working order.It never ceases to amaze me the love and passion a lot have with their cherished Beta recorders.Myself included.I'm glad this site exists as these tips and the help you/we can offer is invaluable to those in need..................Kevin

Noel,

Did you meant fixing the loading ring shaft(tape guiding shaft) that is break-out of the threaded ring itself or maybe the flywheel-gear that drives the threaded-ring.

Well that is very good mechanical-tips but sometimes a bit confusing or maybe a bit complicated to some 'philes.

I got whole picture clearly, cos I did that kind of fixing on teflon-gear of my 8mm machine.

You've got 2 points this time (last 1 is for the capstan/pinch roller).Very helpfull, thanks.

Cheers,Boby.

Kevin,

It's a hobby and they are old so what else can you do? They are sort of antiques now. I see you give plenty of tips also.

cheers Noel

Hi Noel:It's conclusions and ideas like this ,when parts are no longer viable that keeps these machines running.Very important and worth their weight in gold!.........................Kevin

Thanks Kevin and Noel for the pointers. My donor hf100 had capstan servo issues. I have taken it to bits for parts and I do have the relevant parts for a conversion of an ec to ub:) Thanks again!

Good point and like i always do ...if in doubt........ ASK:)....................Kevin

You have to be careful ordering service manuals from eBay. It's often a crapshoot because sellers often don't recognize the details of what they are selling. The link above for the UK manuals is an example of a seller providing pretty good information because he specifies what documentation is included for each model. But that's not always the case.

For Sony models, the adjustment manual is sometimes not included in the service manual. But when it is included, the manual may or may not state on the cover that the adjustment manual is included. There was a recent auction for a service manual for the SL-S600. If you looked carefully at the image, you could make out that it specifically states that the adjustment manual is a separate volume, and that didn't appear to be included in the auction. There was also an auction for a "service manual" for the 870D, but it's just a 15 or so page supplement to the manual to the 860D that documents the few differences that exist between the models. Without the 860D manual, servicing the 870 would be somewhat difficult.

The adjustment manual is important because it contains the info needed to make repairs that are within the capabilities of most hobbyists. So check the auctions carefully!

Swapping Tuner board will probably work on some machine.Like I did on HF950E to HF99ES, those board looks a bit different tho the pins-out is the same.

Cheers

Hi Noel & Stuart:I had to do the same thing a few years ago to convert 2 Aussie M40 's to UK models.I swapped out the tuner boards and RF converters and checked all other panels to make sure they were the same.I also found out how to convert the clock form the AM PM preffered by some markets to 24hour by adding a diode.Take your time and you'll find most areas easy to check and remove the specific board and plugs.Good luck.................Kevin

Stuart,

You might have to compare the machines side by side to be sure but I think swapping the right hand side top (tuner) board and the RF convertor at the back should be enough. I assume the UK versions had a NICAM decoder on the tuner board because the EC units use the German twin FM carrier stereo system. The power supplies might need to be swapped so you get the right plug and earthing system. I guess it depends what the UK donor machine "died" of.

Cheers Noel

a guide to the beta soul;

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ALL-SONY-SANYO-BETAMAX-SERVICE-MANUALS-ORIGINALS_W0QQitemZ300237164496QQihZ020QQcategoryZ39999QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Noel, I have opportunity to aquire a hf100ec which obviously wont recieve uk audio through rf as the frequency is different, but I have many hf100ub parts from a scrap machine. What boards require to be changed to make the ec a ub? Cheers

The Black C9 is very interesting. Pity its missing the front panel - I doubt you would ever get a replacement.

For those not familiar with the various versions of the C9 if you look at the picture of the back panel on this one you will see that there is a switch on the top left hand side. This relates to the stereo tuner fitted to the West German version which can also be set to Bilingual. (I guess they had English audio track broadcast on one channel and German on the other)

Nice find.

cheers Noel

SL C9 BLACK EDITION ebay item nummer 170231474772

Hf100 with gorgeous remote on Ebay;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/sony-betamax-sl-hf100as-remote-Faulty_W0QQitemZ230265941336QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3318QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No problem.Glad to be able to put your mind at rest..................................Kevin

thanks Kevin, for the quick reply! makes perfect sense now :-)

Hi There!What you are seeing there is the head switchover point and it looks fine to me.The problem is with the set you are watching it on.Some TV's are set up so you won't see that or just about and others you won't see it at all.It also seems more prominent when selecting the widscreen otpion on your TV.So in answer to your question.That is fine and the picture looks great...............................Kevin

Hello there. I have a quick technical question about my Sanyo Betacord 6800 Clear 4 Head VCR.Just recently, I started transferring old tapes onto DVD and a problem has come up.

The machine produces a thin line of distortion all across the bottom of video.Here is an example screen shot:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6954/image06241101cvbs1qp1.jpg

If this is a common problem, I am wondering if anyone familiar with it can suggest what to clean fix or replace.

Kind regards

RE Boby

Thanks for your reply. Yes the power is switched on at the bottom left, the clock is on but no front panel buttons are responding so must hopefully be a fuse. I'll keep you posted.

Stevie

Thanks noel

I know what you mean, Once I get that HF 950 off you or someone else if you sell it before I have the funds, definately the C6 's and anything from C5 to c9 will look prehistoric

No problems if you can't do anything for the T9MEIt is 240V AC power cord so no need for a stepdown transformer

You know, you should really post some videos on you tube of your wonderful betamax machine collection and edit suite WE ARE SO JEALOUS

Matthew,

I can't help you with advice on the NTSC machines. Apart from an F20 I once had, I only have a few multisystems. The T9 is old style larger head and rubber drive components so they are an issue to maintain. When working they give a good picture though controls are noisey in operation and called "clunkers" due to the sound of the solenoids. You will need a step down transformer to operate most NTSC machines you can get.

I prefer the later model Sony designs that went to direct drive. I am not really a favourite of the C5, C6 and C7 though I had a C7 as my first machine. The later HiFi models tend to spoil you.

cheers Noel

Stevie Wilson

Yes mostly it could be the internal fuse, please have it checked...

BTW have you turn the switch ON? Sometimes I forget to turn it ON. (push-on switch somewhere hidden below from the left side of the front panel)

Regards,Boby.

Good stuff Mr Lamber. an M40 - very sweetI definately noticed over my years with betamax and VHS that if you put the machines away in the closet for more than a few weeks (especially six to twelve months), that they either don't power up when you set them up again or powers up but won't load a tape

Perhaps the running gear dries out and power unit dies because of lack of power for so longThis is why I run a tape through my machines up to three times a week so that the running gear gets some exercise

The best thing I love about betamax over VHS is that the tapes never get tight after long term storage on a shelf, they do not have those plastic cogs like the VHS

I inherited a sony c7 from ebay, which worked fine first time I plugged it in. Disconnected it to move to another room, but never plugged it in for a couple of weeks. Tried it the other day but although it powers up and the clock flashes and increments if you set it, the unit itself doesnt respond, the standby light doesnt come on and no buttons work ie ff/rew, play, eject etc. I believe this may be a fuse, any one any ideas?

Thanks, Im just getting into this, and have a SL C6 UB and a Sanyo 5400 to play with and learn!

Stevie

Hi Stuart:Yes indeedy , that was a super condition lightly used example and i'm glad YOU were the recipient.I know it will be very well looked after and respected.....................Kevin

Hi All, would just like to say thanks to K Lambert for supplying a very nice example of a Sanyo vtc-m40. Very good condition and plays superbly. Cheers Kevin :)

Hello Ray..I'd just found your V-clips

http://youtube.com/user/videohollic2008

Hope you're OK on this one.( I don't see any Violation tho )

We all 'love' you.

Cheers,Boby.

I just wonder if you interested in HF1000D (japanese Hi Band beta) greater than Hf1000 am sure..You can ask Noel if you'd like some info tho.

Cheers,Boby.

My betamax want list

SL HF950 (saving up for it)SL HF1000 (NTSC) SL HF2100 (1993 with touchpad)

Oops I forgot

The first C6 's tape loading tray is sitting further away from the front of the machine and feels looseIt has always loaded fine but every third of fourth tape I eject comes out slightly sideways, gets caught on the right side of the door flab and the machine reloads itSo I have the top sitting four inches back and simply lift up the machine, push eject and as it comes out I give the right side of the tape a little hit which straightens it and all is normal with the machine, though usually the tape comes out faster than I can catch it and falls 1.5 metres to a hard concrete floor which is not good

Thank god that beta machines have a self correcting mind, they seem to know when something is wrong, eject the tape and reset the tray.If that was a VHS, it would shut down and die.

Cheers noel, I appreciate your work. without you I think many beta people would be struggling to find any repairers willing to even touch them

I'm doing some videos tonight that I'll put on you tube to show you the dilemas I have with my pair of C6 's and how my shed is looking after more alterations

First off - problems and condition of the just purchased C6.

It suffers from a wobbly picture with capstan lock problemsAlso it loads, ejects and rewinds much faster than the other one so I think my first C6 needs some work

The noise that it makes while loading and ejecting is different to the first.It sounds like a cheap chinese version of a VHS recorder with plastic bits although it works faster.

The tape path however is tighter and loading and ejecting is beautifully straight and like a new machinePicture quality is better than the first c6 and audio is now clear due to the crocodile dundee tape being the problem not the head (tried a beta pre recorded original tape from 1991)All illumination above the T shaped keys is working

Now - the original C6

The belts on it have been replaced twice but tyres and other running gear may be dried out and need repair or replacement. the green lights don't work when you push play, rewind or fast forward unlike the other one.

Finally, what is your opinion of the T9ME, is it a crappy machine or was it a good performer in it's dayAnd what year were the last betamax machines sold in Australia and if before 1990 then what machines were being made and sold in the 1990's and up to 2002 (are we talking digital beta's only here or Superbeta hifi and ED beta's

I've always wanted a 1990's made Superbeta hi fi cause I've had and got enough of the budget 1980's models. A HF 950 and SL 2100 would be nice

Matthew,

Yes the M10 arrived. I think the size was about right for the weight so that worked out well. The T9 and C6s all suffer from belt issues and last time I priced a belt from Sydney for a C& it was $25.

I will give you a call when the M10s fixed.

Colin,

Pity about the sale falling through but it happens. Re the HF100, they must have pinched your AV connections. You need to check if there is a separate AV2 you can use. Some boxes have provision for a VCR to be connected via them so that when Foxtel is off you can watch the VCR and also that allows you to time shift Foxtel programs.

cheers Noel

Thanks Noel,but the buyers could not sell their own house so we are still ,in Tugun,by the way whilst i was hospitalized my wife had foxtel connected to my room,bnut in so doing My slhf 100 will not show a picture on the screen,perhaps a wrong connection?

I picked up the unit today, could not get it to power up or raise the top loader tray So I'll send it your way noel once the M10 comes back

Amazingly he handed me a Sony C6AS (identical to mine) for freeLooks in same condition as mine

He said the picture is great but has trouble ejectingI loaded crocodile dundee in and heads were dirty. I let it run for ten minutes and it all cleared up

When the time came to eject it, the machine tries to do it but it won't budgeOnce it has tried and failed, it reloads the tape

So I took the top off and pushed eject. as soon as it started making the noise, I carefully grabbed the part that moves around the head and loads the tape and as soon as I moved it, the machine took over

Here is the planGet M10 back, send off the T9, then send off my first C6 then the other one as well

Also I have another top loader that I got for free, see if you can utilise that for parts or fix it as it won't play

Hello Noel and Lambert

Noel - did you get my sanyo m10 in the mail mate?only cost me 15 bucks to post it out, not bad for 9.3 kg in a big box

Anyhow - I am purchasing a Sony T9ME from a local (had it on ebay) very shortlyOnly 60 bucks and it does work

I will see how it goes and then hand it over to you for a lube up after the C6 capstan lock is fixed and given a service

I'm going to start saving up to buy a SLHF950 from you mate. Have you ever seen or got a Sony HF2100 superbeta, ray glasser raves on about it alot

Any other guys in australia that you know mate, I'd like to chat with anyone else who is a betaphile.

Though I'm a laserdisc phile as well(want to find a pioneer hld x9 hi vision muse player one day (1125 lines in 1994)

Good day Colin, how's the HF100 still running Dandy eh..

Regards, —›Œõ—s.

Hi Colin,

How are you settling in at your new home.

cheers Noel

This once was an interesting site.regarding problems and info on anything betamax,now it seems a lot of opportunists are letting their alto egos loose,what a shame,regards to all the regulars.

We knew you from head to toe, there's nothing you can point here. There are so many places for you to play on.

Or an old B who doesn't really care!

Regarding hidden IP, that's already known a decade ago as surf anonymously, not so supprising unless you're a newbie to the internet.

Hi Noel:Yes and i'm in this hobby for the exact same reasons you are.I love to help if i can and love the Beta's.It's a shame some come here to spoil it and try to make others look foolish:(.......................Kevin

James,

Thanks for backing me up regards your experiences with repairs and the hall effect sensors.

cheers Noel

Peter/Ed

See you can't help yourself, no matter who you mimic. You have to me down and you can't even read my emails correctly. (20 yrs versus 20 machines) I collect betas repair some and sell machines IN AUSTRALIA on eBay, not repairs. I even guarantee over 20 yr old machines for three months. (because they are old and I have the parts if they do break.)

I help people with advice on repairs through Palsite. They are too far away for me to repair the machines personally and anyway it is a hobby which is why I am happy to share the information.

You really are full of it. You might well benefit from reading up a little on "Karma".

cheers Noel (a real person)

PS) the 3rd is for a coward who's hiding behind GATEWAY.

There 2 reason for hiding IP's 1) for a scammer 2) for one's privacy.

One's IP can be fake by sending wrong parameter behind a proxy.

so what's that all got to do with betamax ??????????

All very observant. I'll continue to point out the IP address though, just in case!

This is the same putz who was masquerading a couple years back as a beta hobbyist who traded on eBay, even to the point of hijacking his eBay name. I'm actually surprised that the posts still get responses.

Ignoring the posts may not be a perfect solution, but it's better than responding to them. I mean, they're not difficult to spot, even without resorting to checking ips. The mangled understanding of beta, the complete absence of any useful information whatsoever and the evident sociopathy are a little hard to miss.

Does anyone have a tape like this;

watch the Flash here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQk2LtK680w&feature=related

Cheers

on the subject of the hall sensors, I have had many betas with this problem and have never managed to fix one by removing the blob of glue. I always use a new sensor anyway even though they are expensive for the size of the part, but with a new one you know its gonna last

Hello all,

Well..I noticed that this page seems to be in good state.

I hope will be all the time and no any kind buff and bumps.

Thanks to the one that keeps taking care of our wonderfull site.

TLC, Boby.

Ciao.>>

Noel??

The fact is that it does work..

Not on every unit, but on enough to make it a possible fix.

Don't be negative about something that you have not tried.. Makes you look foolish.

We are never too old to learn.. Hope you will try this fix in the future.. Might save your clients a nice sum of money..

Later Pete

Peter?

I have repaired many drum otors by replacing the hall sensor but in my experience removing the glue alone does not fix them.. Of course I have read that it works, but since I even bothered to build a jig to repair/test these circuit boards I think I should know.

cheers Noel

Somewhere around Manasas and Sterling...

Well just carry then on old chap!

Well, i'll put my modest self aside and say all this crap is BLOODY PATHETIC.No matter which way you look at it...............i thought adults were more responsible than this.No wonder the whole world is going to pot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JESUS!

Sad and pathetic....................REALLY..........i'll put my efforts to places where they are appreciated...................To the idiots who are continuing this nonsense GROW UP!........................and YES this IS really me not some moron parading as such.....or hav'nt you checked my proxy yet either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is right KEVIN(?).

Have it checked, it represents the poster ID.

Regards, Steven.

Thanks, K. Lambert

Will Do.

Peter

Hi Peter:I DO believe you are who you say.The trouble is genuine members who like to help/advise such as Noel and myself are wary now as these 'idiots' are posting under silly names and make you wonder if they are who they say.Yes it IS childish, monotonous and boring to read their churlish remarks.It's also hard to see the wheat from the chaff:)I HAVE heard of the hall effect and the glue issue so have no doubt what you are talking about.Congrats on finding this out to your advantage.Maybe private e-mailing is the way to go if you have any issues or queries.The e-mail address should let you know who you are dealing with.Good luck..................Kevin

125251 125236/1213492316 cache-mtc-ah11.proxy.aol.com

You get the treatment you rate Pete the Plank. Manufactured outrage doesn't wash here.

Thanks Noel.

So, after 20 years of soliciting repairs you have never seen a Hall sensor failure?

Let's stop associating me with these cartoon characters you folks have invented.

I initially came on to this site, after a long absence, to file a report about Ampex tapes.

Since then I've been attacked, criticized and called names.

This is a fine site indeed.

I wonder what attracts so many imbiciles.

To Peter above,

You must be Ed. The way you describe how to fix that fault and the fact that in over 20 repairs of drum motors I have never found that to be the fault tends to make me think you are talking rubbish.

Regards to all visitors to Palsite who are actually interested in fixing betas, this crap is of no value. -Noel

Hey now! Don't sully MY good name with the scummy likes of Ed!

125236 125189/1213460009 cache-mtc-ah11.proxy.aol.com

I have it on good authority that Ed the Plank is really none other than Bob Goatse himself

Above post is: 125232 125204/1213454636 cpe-74-70-107-208.nycap.res.rr.com

It's Olive E. Thomas, also known as ED, The Plank & Timmy.

Wow, this is fun.

Above poster's ip address -> 125230 125224/1213446522 cache-mtc-ah11.proxy.aol.com

Your obsession with cutting and pasting old posts and getting all butthurt when people post that it's just Ed the plank is really frightening as well as bewildering...

Hello again,

Just a thank you and a tip-of-the-hat to this amazing Palsite.

My first SL-HF 300 had the common problem of the head ceasing torotate, but I found on this very site that some Sony machines have apiece of glue in the head that absorbs moisture and disrupts a magneticfield.

I removed the piece of glue and blew a hair dryer over the coils,and it has ran for at least 10 hours since, perfectly.

If you have anyold beta's around that exhibit the no spin fault,go to the betapal site page to find out how to fix this problem.

...................................................................

Ok, I'm finished. Now the strange denizens of this site (Olive E.Thomas et al) can go ahead and do their thing with the ip's.

If it makes them happy, who am I to protest?

Maybe, however, they could surprise all 3 or 4 people who would admit to actually knowing them and go out and meet some actual people - patient, forgiving, real people. They might be surprised what it can do for their self esteem.

This obsession with the imaginary The Plank, Ed & Timmy is really frightening as well as bewildering?...................................................................

dhad0:

Thanks for the clarification on SuperBeta. Maybe my tapes are too old, but I just can't see much of an improvement over the standard format.

Ignore the children that chime in with ip's after our posts.

Peter

Hope 'Timmy the Tosser' is 'happy' with som responses...

The Super Beta switch allows slightly wider bandwidth (sharper picture) on record. It doesn't affect playback. Some older decks may not play SB tapes properly.

The Super Beta allows slightly wider bandwidth on recording (sharper picture). It doesn't affect playback. Older decks may not pay SB recordings properly.

Hello all,

I'm a little confused about the SuperBeta switch on a few of mydecks.

I know that SuperBeta is a minor amendment to the Betaspecification that improves picture quality slightly without breakingcompatibility with non-SuperBeta decks. I also know that the SuperBetaswitch must be *on* to play BIs recordings, and (presumably) off to playnormal BI (X-1) recordings. Is the position of the SuperBeta switch supposed to affect recordingor playback on the BII and BIII speeds?

I've never noticed anydifference when recording or playing on those speeds with the switch onor off.

Any clarification on this query would be greatly appreciated!

(I Hope Olive, "No Name" and "Steve" knock off the ip nonsense or at least explain what the purpose is behind it. I always had respect for Olive Thomas, but it appears this person has had a brain fart somewhere along the road of life.)

K .Lambert,

I've scrolled through the posts and they seem fine..all on topic.

I just found it strange that "No-Name" and Olive found it necessary to post IP's after every comment.

I'll try to contribute regularly....hope the ChatPage continues for a long time.

Peter:The reason or answer to your question is because, unfortunatley this Chatpage has been overrun by idiotic ,childish morons, i'm sad to say.Maybe one day things will return to normal..............don't hold your breath though.

I noticed than whenever anyone posts here, in a matter of hours a follow-up post is issued bearing an ip address.

I haven't visited this site in a long time, so is this common fare?

Strange that no one ever replys to the posts,they just give ip adresses.

What's up?

RE:above p[ost IP address is - 125203 125198/1213184532 cache-dtc-ah11.proxy.aol.com

Wish Ed the Plank would make like a tree and photosythesise carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates...

Or leave...

AMPEX BETACAM TAPES: As mentioned earlier by me and others here on the Palsite, theBetamax tapes produced by Ampex were of extremely poor quality, and arebasically unuseable due to extensive shedding of oxide.

I recently got holdof a batch of Ampex 20-minute Betacam oxide tapes, and began experimentingwith these to see how they hold up under use. I am happy to report that theAmpex Betacam tapes seem to work fine, without the oxide-shedding problemof its Betamax tape cousins.

The Ampex betacam tapes' sharpness andresolution seems slightly inferior to that of the Sony Betacam BCT tapes,but not by much.

More importantly, there is not an oxide-shedding problemwith these Ampex betacam tapes, I am happy to report.

BTW, Ampex is nowselling blank tapes under the Quantegy brand name.

I have been a loyal Sony/Beta man since 1982 (even owned Elcassettesonce in audio). I would like your opinion on one matter, please:

My current Beta, bought new in 1989, is an SL-HF860D.

Mechanically, itstill performs flawlessly. However, a beer incident (don't ask) a fewyears ago caused the display to look like Chinese symbols; I can'tprogram it due to the inability to decipher the display (manuallychanging channels works ok).

As the machine otherwise is super, I'mthinking about seeing if it can be repaired. Would you suggest dealingdirectly with Sony, or trying my local Radio Shack (they've worked wellfor me in the past with other older equipment).

Any opinion on this?

FOUND A WINNER BELOW..

Asked him if he was sure there was no leaking batteries in compartment..

His reply: I not sure.. look clean but could be a ltttle green..

WHERE do they find these crooks..

http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-BETAMAX-REMOTE-CONTROLLER-RMT156-original-LOT-of-3_W0QQitemZ180250581303QQihZ008QQcategoryZ39830QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

To all Betaphile owners:

Tape unloading problem.

I inherited a Sony VCR from my brother-in-law.

It's a Sony SLHF-550 SuperBetaVCR from 1986.

There is a tape stuck in it. It rewinds, fast forwards and evenplays back the tape.

It will not eject the tape, however.

Theloading/threading motor has power; but the unit will not unthread the tape andeject the cassette.

Any ideas from anyone with a similar problem; let me know.

It's mine to keep if I can fix it.

Thanks!

Bill,

That is about it.

Requiescat in pace. Sadly, we must recognise that the chatpage has met its death.

It's a great pity. The rest of the site is still useful, but the chatpage was its hub, its centre, its community. But it's time to abandon its empty shell and leave the brainless child to play about in the ruins.

Please, somebody prove me wrong.

Bill

Thanks...I'll have a good long sleep.

ED Beta R u trying to bring us down with your spineless jellyback..

Ya' miserable puke of a gawdamn raghead!

To prove I have repented I offer this:

I have a question about BIs vs Bshb on my SL-HF1000. The picture in BIis excellent, but I'm not 100% sure that it's actually recording inBIshb. I can't see any change in the picture when changing between BIsand shb (in rec). Also BI tapes recorded with shb on play fine on myother super beta VCRs like the hf750 hf450 and even the low end sl-100. Since this is a VCR that I bought broken and it's the only VCR I ownwith BIshb I have some doubts about it's ability to record in shb mode. Could anyone comment on noticable differences between BIs and BIshb? Iwould like to be sure there is a problem before I get the VCR apart tofix it.

Thanks for any info you folks can deliver, ED Beta☺;