Indeed Kev, I agree, I am 37, yet never owned a beta before 2007, Now I own 4 c9s, 2 950s and an hf100. Well, 5 c9s if you count the basketcase one I just got off ebay but that needs a lot more work and parts than I envisaged from the item description :( I like the thought and idea of tape. Something mechanical that moves. All those moving parts coming together to process and display sound and video in sync on screen. Or a simple laser? I have a dvd recoreder, but prefer to use my panasonic nvhs1000 svhs deck for weekly recording, but would prefer to use my betas if it wasnt for the lack of availability of parts, mainly heads. But, we are supposed to be recycling and saving rubbish from landfill yes? Thats wht people like Noel,you and myself are doing with these amazing machines. Restoring them back to working order so that others can use them, or relive their childhood when they owned a betamax.

Hi Ron and Bill

Ron many thanks for the info.I did not know this.I DID have a PAL/SECAM Sanyo VTC M10 i won from Germany but i needed some vital parts from this due to a severely damaged in transit UK one.Just the bare bones left now.Secam just was'nt in demand:)

I was dismayed Sanyo did'nt make the M50 available for the UK market ,especially seeing it already had a PAL version sorted for the Australian and new Zealand ones.I have seen an M50 for sale on E-Bay Australia and also a Sanyo 7500 (the equivalaent of the M50 for the US market)also on E-bay.The Sanyo 7250 was also another contender with the new SuperBeta format and was Sanyo's ONLY model with SuperBeta and Beta Hi-Fi.They also produced some with just a SuperBeta picture that was similar in design to the UK's NX100. You can't say Sanyo did'nt try to gain with their variation in the later models to offer choice....in other markets at least.Here in the UK they tried to repaeat the success with a budget model that they had in 1982/3 with the VTC 5000 but it was not to be.They obviously had their focus on their new VHS range to gather more sales fom a dwindling vcr market.I have also taken more of an interest in the Sony breed, despite their over complexity, they offer decent features and performance too.I have never been too happy with FF or REW one of those though as it does generate unecessary head to tape wear.It's a good job too they did'nt utilise rubber idlers as that would've compounded the issue.It's still funny to me that as time moves on i still enjoy placing the beta tape inside my vcr's to watch treasured and sometimes rare footage and movies.A DVD seems so clinical and unexciting in this respect.I have also tried recording with one ( a combi) only to find already the player does'nt like my brand of discs ,despite them being the right ones.This is supposed to be superior!!You never get that with video.

Also i must take the time to thank Noel with my queries and the help with various Sony issues, for the machines i've obtained..Always obliging and very helpful.It seems the Beta format is'nt quite dead yet and it still amazes me how many of us there are who still want to get every bit of life from their cherished vcr's.Admittedly a lot are using them for transfer to DVD,But from what i've been hearing, sometimes the self recorded discs recordings are deteriorating faster than you would belive.Hav'nt they been telling us that with video?If the tapes are looked after , i've never found ones that's bad.

Now we have the wondeful BLU RAY.I certainly won't be going that route.Just another way of milking the buying public for another 'fly by night' awesome format.That will be superceded by something else before long.So you'll have another load of 'old hat' gear to transfer to the new format.DVD is perfecty adequate for me and my ever growing collection.As long as i'm able to sustain my vcr's i will use them.I've got an impressive selection now all wonderfully overhauled to near perfection by myself to enjoy.It's a good job we don't all throw aout our gear for next weeks new invention.Some just don't appreciate enough HOW we got to the current technology.Video was and is still an exciting age and time for me.I have a lot of good memories with it.

It's also sad to see no more ,What Video,Which video,Video Today, Video world and video the magazine in the shops.Just What LCD,What DVD,Plasma and the like.........how times have changed.

Happy viewing Betaphiles.......................Kevin

Hi Kevin,

An afterthought from my posting to Ron - I know you're deeply into Sanyo. If you ever come across a machine which definitely covers SECAM L, PLEASE let me know!!

All the best,Bill

Hi Ron,

The PAL/SECAM thing in your manual is interesting. My much mourned Loewe multi-standard TV covered French SECAM L. However, it also had a slightly strange feature. When set for PAL, if it encountered a sufficiently strong signal in what its setup screen called "SECAM E" it automatically switched to that standard. Whatever that was, it appeared to share modulation and sound with PAL B/G but was sequential. I assumed rightly or wrongly that it was the version of SECAM used in the former Soviet Union and some of its satellites. I DXed it on VHF from Greece and Romania and from Russia itself. As I understand it, many Russian channels now make programmes in PAL and then transcode to SECAM for broadcast.

Again rightly or wrongly, my theory was that Loewe did sell in East Berlin and possibly in border areas of the former DDR. Rich Party officials who needed protecting from the effort of having to change TV standards manually?:) Also there might have been viewers in the West who were masochistic enough to want to watch DDR TV!

All that just might mean that the designation in your manual refers not to French SECAM L, but to this "SECAM E". The German language part makes me wonder, even though most VHS machines sold in France in recent years HAVE been dual standard PAL/SECAM L. TV sets have followed suit, especially as there is no such thing as a SECAM DVD player. Also, I'd be VERY surprised if it referred to the non-broadcast Middle East SECAM. I don't think it even existed when Sanyo still produced Beta.

I must declare an interest, as I'm always after a reasonably priced SECAM L Beta machine!

Regards,Bill

To:K Lambert

Hi Kevin,

just a quick message to let you know the VTC-M50 Owners Manual I have down loaded from the site mentioned has the first half printed in Deutsch [German] & on the front cover the unit is described as "Beta hi-fi PAL/SECAM"

As you previously mentioned the M50 was only marketed in Aus/NZ?? ......would appear to seem Sanyo had intentions of marketing the units in Europe/France? - maybe never eventuated as this presumably was probably their last Beta format model to be released before the switch to VHS!

regards

Ron

G/day all,

just wanted to thank Matt Churchett for supplying a link to the great website called manuals-in-pdf.com where I was able to source an Owners Manual for a Sanyo VTC-M50 [70 pages long] which re-produced in excellent quality.

This site appears to be able to supply any & all types of manuals imaginable - certainly worth a look if you are having trouble finding one for any electronic items!

Not sure if all palsite viewers realise that by clicking onto posters name/title will bring up an email link for replying to said post!

regards

Ron

hEY ayden how much to ship the ntsc machine to the gold coast?

Toshiba betamax v8600ws recorder.....the mechanical sliding mechanism does not engage the tape all the way. Does anyone have a solution?

Hi Stuart, they are SP

mark, are these betacam oxide tapes? not sp or digital?

If anyone would like about twenty FREE betacam tapes (mostly unused) complete with hard plastic cases you are welcome to collect them from London E4. They are all Sony branded 30 and 60 minutes. They all have to go soon as the wife says so! Contact via email.

I have also posted this on betacam forum

Something I would like to try..I was thinking, we all know the battery backups dont work in any sony c9, 100 or 950 now because the nicd batts are long dead. Did anyone try replacing them to get it working again? This would add value to any such machine.

Flemming,

Your location and the make and model of the beta VCR would greatly help a response.

The tuner does not matter. You should have a TV channel output and Video /audio connectors. The later is best to use for video transfers.

regards Noel (betaheaven.com)

hello my name is flemmingi would like to ask if it is possible to record video on my betamax througha remote port and if someone would like to tell me how i make a cable for this.my tuner in my psc-760 from 1979 doesnt work so i would like to know how to recordtrough other ways i can only find three ways to se input ports but i need helpto find out of how, to record hen my tuner doesnt record the output to tw works butnot the input can someone tell me how to fix that problem. and where i can findthe error on the printboard to solve to solder this solutionhey hey how do i make cables for betamax i have a k connector but the cables are not turned correctly thank you

Got another c9 off ebay today, one for restoration and to keep. Its mint! Not a mark on it. The dcdc needs repair, and the tracking is out (needs to be sat way to right to get a good picture, but the still frame is dead centre on still tracking setting. There is also a waaaaaaahh intermittently on the sound. All electrical and internal tracking adjustment? Will be taking this c9 and the c5 for repair this weekend. Will then have 8 fully working betas..5 years ago I had never owned one!

Thanks for info Noel. Looks like an easy fix. It will be off for attention this weekend!

Hi Noel:

Thanks for the info.The magnet is definetley not fouling the coils.One HF950 i did for another guy this was also an issue until i fabricated a thin enough washer to raise it up.I feel sure the issue is power related and i have it with two Sony's so hopefully in the same part:)Thanks again..................Kevin

Stuart,

I forgot to mention the servo board is on the underside of the machine.

regards Noel

Kevin,

The wires supplying the drum board have (+9Volts, earth and a voltage in between 9V and earth for the control. If you dummy up these voltages the drum motor should spin when installed if its OK. Dimensional differences between machines mean that spacers are sometimes used to get clearance from the coils so the magnet spins. Make sure it is not fouling.

If there is a board fault you will need to use a service manual to go further.

regards Noel

Stuart,

You need to replace all the light blue sanyo electrolytic capacitors around the capstan and drum servo circuits. That will stop the wobble.

cheers Noel

Hi Guys,

Well, having played with front loading sonys for a while I decided to take a punt on ebay on a c5. Now I know it says here to stay away from them but I wanted to have a look! I got it today and well, its a very clean machine both inside and out. It loads, threads, ff and plays mechanically without issue. Rewind works after a few seconds so that will be the belt. Now, on play, the sound is fine, but there is a wobble on the picture and there is a noise bar which starts at the bottom of the screen and goes up. Picture is otherwise fine, in colour, and with none of the obviuous signs of head clogging. Now, as the sound is not warbled this makes me think that its not capstan related, right? But what? Tape path alignment or electrical issue? Any help appreciated. I believe this unit can be rescued?

Hi NoelI had a feeling you'd say that :)The trouble is i replaced the hall effect sensor for a HF100 and that DID work so i removed the bottom motor board with that good sensor fitted and tried it on both the 950 and F30 (expecting them to work) and they still refuse to work!!I know it's OK as it did work with the HF100. Surely that should work with the 950 and F30? The boards and electronics seem identical.There is definetley NO glue on the sensors as they're removed from Sanyo capstan motors (faulty ones!) as spares.I did'nt know if there was ever another issue with those head motors not turning.As an aside BOTH the 950 and F30 had had the origional owners replace the sensors too.You could see this clearly.This is obviously why they sold them on.On the head motors i've successfully repalced the sensor ,before changing it, you ALWAYS got resistance from the head disc if trying to turn it when pressing play.There is NONE with these two.This is why i suspected an issue in the servo drive.

By the way another tip.ALWAYS remove the glue on ANY Sony betamax hall effect sensor you get BEFORE it goes wrong.It's easy enough to do without removing anything. easy to remove the glue with a tiny screwdriver.Make sure you switch the vcr off first though:)................Kevin

Kevin,

Re the faulty drum motors my money is still on the hall sensor. Make sure you put them in right way up and clean away all the glue gunk that is on the plastic mount.

To lock up magnetically means the circuit is not switching but is getting power.

regards Noel

Take a bow chaps for fixing the spam problem,give your selves a well done

Hi Betaphiles.

I've got an interesting fault on a Sony SLF30 and SLHF950 beta.They both have non turning head discs with no resisitance when trying to turn them after pressing play ( usually this resistance is there if it's a faulty hall effect sensor).I've aslo replaced the bottom motor drive withone with a known good hall effect sensor fitted in both and they both refuse to turn.Am i correct in assuming this is maybe a servo issue on the servo board??

Noel :An update on my Dc to Dc converters.The guy who i told you about has successfully repaired all 3 i sent (in 24 hours).The issues were Blown C3 (0.0068) .I had trouble sourcing thet one so it did'nt get replaced!, and wrong value C6 /7 which i did fit but obtained a .0047 and origionals were 0.0047.Also had trouble sourcing correct ones.Anyhow the other upgrades i did were perfect.(Q1,Q2,C8,C1,C4 ,C5, C2)I now have some of the correct caps coming so i should be able to successfully repair any that come my way.Thought you should know and sincere thanks for the help to all who assisted..................Kevin

To the PALSITE GUYS thanks for fixing the chat page.

Aymed,

Contact me through Betaheaven.com and I can tell you what you need to do to fix your problem but I think you might mean the gas display is not working rather than the Leds and that is the common DC/DC fault which I can usually fix. Helps if you are in Melbourne.

regards Noel

hi thanks for your help (Roderick)so just another one for the display case 1 more problem i get another sony beta player c9. the player work's but the led don't light up can they be fix and i manage to get the cassette auto changer (ag-90) it work's but missing the adaptor plate does anyone know were to get one can anyone help plz

Well, this is better. Lets hope it stays this way :) Some of you may remember I had a c9 that had broken loading gears. I was able to supergule the broken gear together but the loading mech was all out of line and the cassette inside sliding cover was out of line. Beyond me to fix. So I gave the machine to the same guy who fitted up my hf100 with new heads and repaired two dcdc converters. Within 2 days he had the whole loading mech rebuilt, lined up correctly and lubricated. Well impressed.

Hi Aymed,

Unfortunately it is virtually impossible to change a NTSC machine to PAL. There are too many differences. Think about it like petrol vs diesel cars. Outside looks the same but to change you would have to replace the whole engine.

Hi Kevin,

thanks for your response regarding the VTC M50 Owners Manual......like you say they do seem rather elusive!

Thanks partly to yourself & Noel I now have nearly all the Sanyo Sevice Manuals/Parts List Circuit Diagrams & Owners Manuals for all the Sanyo Beta's as well as many of the Toshiba's & Sony models - so if anyone is looking for a particular one I may be able to help.

I do have some M50's so it would be great to find an Owners Manual to compliment them! any information appreciated!

regards

Ron

hi i live in australia and i love my betamax players i recently braught sony superbeta hifi sl-hf1000 it powers up plays but it is a nstc player (aus is pal) and sound is good can it be converted to pal can anyone help me PLZ

Thankyou guys. I really dont know where people get off on doing this sort of thing.

Dear Palsite Admin thanks for the improvement. Hope we can have more better system in the future.

Cheers

Chatpage spam problems - As you have probably gathered, the PALsite chatpages are currently being spammed, with 3 messages being posted every 20 minutes or so causing the genuine posts to be forced out. We do now have automatic post removal in place, but this is not always able to catch everything in time. We will have to start working on a replacement system that is able to manage these situations more effectively, in the meantime, sorry for the inconvenience,

Martin and Alan

http://www.palsite.com/chat_page.py

Hi Guys

Thanks for the heads up on the current situation.It's good to know something is being done to prevent the low lifes spoiling are hobby and interests.Ron.I have a service manual for the M50 but alas no owners manual.Even Sanyo's own owners manual downloading site does'nt list it.It was only for ther Australian and New Zealand markets which was a shame, as i would've liked to have owned one.Good luck in sourcing one though................Kevin

G/day all,

just posting here to see if all has returned to normality or not?.... but whilst herewould be interested in buy/beg/steal an Owners Manual for a Sanyo VTC-M50 - be greatif I could borrow an original for photocopying [it's about the only manual missing frommy collection] after which I would send back by return post as well as refunding any postage costs involved

thanks in anticipation!

Ron Humphris

hi there

Looks like someone figured out how to spam the board.

Anyone know how to repair a SL-7200 betamax player?

hmmmm

Some obviously can't READ the guidelines before posting.I think it's time to close this chat page and make it more secure.It gett's tiring reading drivvel from idiots and timewasters........Whovever responsible.well done and take a bow........i hope it makes you feel really proud....

Have not been on this site for many weeks! ....... what a shame it's been corrupted by some "LOWLIFE CREEP" once again ........lets hope the website creater's can rid us of this "DI**HEAD"

Time to make these sites more secure.To the recent posters of total andutter garbage............YOUR TIME IS OVER............

Gudday all,

I've just purchased a Sony EDcam EDC-50 cam-corder via a well-known online auction site. [Haven't received it yet.] Obviously its based on the Betamax 'Extended Definition' format. I've spent several hours web-surfing to try and find more information on this format. Even this site makes very little mention of both Super-beta and BetaED!

At the bottom of this page:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070608160412/www.betainfoguide.com/BTMpage.htm

is limited information and a few photos. [I think an NTSC version?] Its the only useful web-site I've found from all my searching.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has owned [or currently owns] an EDcam :-)

Thanks,

Clive.

Mark,

That's good - original remote obviously is the best to have.

cheers Noel

IGNORE.....

Keep it Beta related and real...............Kevin

I sent Alain the remote for HF100 and he reports it is working fine. I don't think he had any luck with the universal remote codes.

FFS WTF is this?

I hope this stuff isn't a preview of things to come!!!

Charlie

a couple of years ago in Penang we stumbled on to a market down a laneand lo and behold there was beta macine for sale,i started drooling but my other half grabbed me by the ear and had to leave

Alain,

I have a multi remote and the sony code for that is 0011 so give that a try. Cant hurt.

cheers Noel

Alain, I have a nice RMT216 (original HF100 remote) complete with slider and handle. I'm asking £10 for it plus postage (or collection from London E4 area) Photo here:

http://img594.imageshack.us/f/rmt216.jpg/

Lannie, Was the audio ok or was it also distorted? The 2400 series is noted for suddenly losing both audio and video. The picture would go crazy as would the sound then sometime go back to normal.The sound was really bad and would let out a very annoying buzz or hum. I have a SL-2401 that had the A/V problem and swapped video/audio and servo boards with no luck. Out of desperation I switched power supplies which solved the problem.The unit still plays well but I don't know what in the power supply was causing it. If yours is just in the video then I would guess it's a different problem.Dirty heads usually just cause a snowy or grainy picture . Good luck.

Charlie

Hi,Does anybody know the remote control code to operate my SL HF100. I've lost the remote and use a One For all universal remote. I've tried 0033, 0034, 0035 and quite a few other ones without any success. Maybe it's the remote command receiver on the deck that is dead.. Any idea ?Thanks

I have a Sony SL-2400 that was refurbished. Plays perfectly until tonight. I finally decided to capture my old Betamax home videos. the first tape played fine until about 3/4 the way through. Now the video is streatched from the left at times and slowly scrolls up as it's doing it. Has a purple or blue tint. I cannot get a commercial tape to play clean now. Is this a hardware failure or did my old tape dirty the heads?

Hi there

Does anyone have a service manual for the Sanyo VTC-5000?

A photocopy or a PDF file would be fine.

Cheers,

Matt

Hi,

I have just bought a Sanyo VTC 5000 machine which powers up but when I put a cassette in nothing happens, and there appears to be no sound of anything moving inside.Can anyone help with this problem please?

Regards,Scott

Hi Sumudu

Your on the wrong page my friend.Try the Betacam site by clicking on the link on the top left hand of this page.Good luck...............Kevin

We have BVW75, 70,60,65 sp (betacam recoder and player ) PAL 625B System. But now DEC 42, and DEC46 Board Faulty (Video noisey and Vector point out) what we can do?

Hi Ray

I've no experience or indeed info for that model.The loose spring does indeed sound suspicious.I have had vcr's in the past with items removed NOTHING TO DO with the vcr in question.Probably a toddler putting them inside.

I would take the cover off and have a good look inside.Sometimes for the inexperienced you can just see where it comes from and what parameters it affects by falling off.BE CAREFULL though and make sue you UNPLUG it first.Take your time and keep well away from the large silver head drum and the slot around it's circumference ,where the fragile heads just poke out.Good Luck...............Kevin

i have a sl 2000 portable betamax. when the play buton is pushed, machine runs for a few seconds and than stops. i found a loose spring laying inside. it's about 1 inch long. is this my problem? where does this spring go?

Kevin,

They are not a common issue. Mostly the fault is the 330uF and the two 10uF and the main drive transistor at the edge of the board.

regards Noel

Hi Noel

Thanks for that.I have already these two caps on order.HOPEFULLY it should be the problem solved when fitted.I will in due course keep you posted.

Thanks again.............Kevin

Kevin,

Cant email you directly at the moment. Re SLC9 DC/DC repairs see http://www.palsite.com/pcat_dcdc.html and note C6 and C7 in the 3.3V tranformer output path off the secondary winding between pins 3 and 4, Check that neither have gone short circuit.

regards Noel

Hi Betaphiles:

The NTSC Hi-Fi recording system is done with the SAME heads as the video signal( there was room for the carrier frequency to do this without picture interference.Great if you ever have to replace the heads on a NTSC Beta Hi-Fi as you can use the same two head disc as a normal mono sound Beta system (providing it is'nt SuperBeta of has any extra video heads for trick play facilities.On the PAL Beta and VHS Hi-Fi you have four different head mounted.Two opposite for the Hi-Fi and the other two for the picture ( which may or may not incoperate extra haeds for the clear still and trick play facilities.Some really top end vcr's even having yet another extra head (called a flying erase head) to make clean edits onto tape.Sadly for us PAL users these Beta hi-Fi head discs are getting very scarce .The Sanyo VTC M40 is unavailable now unless an old repair business has a couple stashed away somewhere, which is'nt unheard of.They will be pricy though.They do last well though and in normal use and conditions the hi-Fi sound will always deteriorate first as that signal goes deeper into the tape ,with the video information being recorded over the top but at a slightly different angle to the Hi-Fi tracks to avoid any interference between the two.Also one other thing worth pointing out.The Video and Hi-Fi heads are always against the tape in operation ,not magically pulled away depending on which sound mode you use ,as i've read some think.They all wear at the same rate and you cannot 'retract' the hi-Fi heads to save them from wear..........Thought some would appreciate knowing that to save any confusion.Good luck in getting a new set for your 950. I would also suggest getting a serviced Sanyo (from the VTC 5000 1982) as this model and the later ones unlace in the FF and REW modes and That WILL save you unnecessary wear when FF or REWINDING your tapes.Make sure it's been overhauled though and you should get a good 4 minutes each way for a L750 tape for one in TOP shape (and no tape chewing in the bargain either).

........Kevin

NTSC heads for a SLHF750 are DSR-75-R. Noel is right, they probably are entirely different but they are still available. The one place I saw them was asking $265.00 US dollars.

Charlie

Davey,

I don't think the same heads are used in the 950 as the 750 because the NTSC system uses a different method for recording HiFi sound.

regards Noel

Hi, I have only ever seen head disc for 950 available from sony. Cost is over £300 plus vat!

hi does anyone know if heads can be obtained DS78R sony SL-HF 950 /750 I just bought a 750 from the states and they said sound no picture and had been using a metal format tape

Hi Nick and RichardSee my posting of 27th September either are welcome to it. Correction to posting - it is a V8600B.Best regardsClive

Hi Richard

Try visionaids.co.uk,Donberg electronics.These two companies are very reliable ,offer a good selection and if anyone can help you they should be able too.Good Luck..................Kevin

Hi all.Do any of you know where I can get a belt kit for a Toshiba V-9600B??Thanks.Richard :)

can any 1 tell me were i can buy an sl 8000e unit also a cma100ce in the ukthanksken

Hi Nick

It sounds like ALL belts will need replacing (i have never seen this model but would assume the age it has quite a few belts).The pinch roller and capstan will probably need a good clean too.Getting belts for this MAY be an issue down to age.Any vcr older than a 82 year is difficult.I managed to get two sets for a Toshiba V31B (1983) last year. It took a little while but got this vcr up and running again.The picture is perfect tooYou can try visionaids.co.uk as they DO have quite a good range for VHS and BETA vcr's.They usually let you know if and when they will arrive too.Good luck in resurrecting that classic Tosh.Keep us posted.........

............Kevin

Hi Kevin opened the cover and put in a tape it accepts the tape fine on closer inpection notice the tape reel doest not move but it makes a sound like it is playing heads look intact left belt on left reel looks loose cant figure where it needs to be tighten it is brown in appearance, metal clip attach to does not chew tape ejects fine makes functioning sound when pressing rew and play however nothing happens is it up the spout

kind regards

nick

Hi Ken opened the cover and put in a tape it accepts the tape fine on closer inpection notice the tape reel doest not move but it makes a sound like it is playing heads look intact left belt on left reel looks loose cant figure where it needs to be tighten it is brown in appearance, metal clip attach to does not chew tape ejects fine makes functioning sound when pressing rew and play however nothing happens is it up the spout

kind regards

nick

thanks will keep you informed once I get the cover off

hi Nick.

Whilst i've never seen that model i have heard it's performance is good , particularly as it has 4 heads for a clean still picture.

On with your issue.When you say it 'sounds' as though it's playing ,can you see the tape moving?This would be a start as it would illiminate other possibilities.Remove the cover and view the tape if need be.Keep well away from the PSU,head drum and electronics though.Toshiba's i believe ,blank out the screen if the heads are dirty.We really need to know IF the tape is moving though.Let me know..................Kevin

I have brought a toshiba V8600B however it lights up fine the test signal shows up but when I put a tape in machine it sounds like its playing but no visible picture excerpt a standby looking screenI have tried every thing please help

Ken, The Technicolor VCR is I believe a NTSC model. It was very small and similiar to the 8mm video tape. It didn't last too long in the vcr market and was eventually dropped.The tape was approx. 1/4 inch wide.Good luck trying to find anything for these puppys.I've never seen one of these things but like kevin said belts,cleaning,etc might get you going again.Charlie

hi kevinthe vcr i have is about 25 year old and i have omly just bought it ken

Hi Ken

Welcome to the site:)I've never heard of that model.Could you send a picture to my e-mail address?

Most tape chewing issue are from being unserviced or from high usage.Usually belt's, idlers, maybe motors , dry bearings.Occassionally in need of an upgrade to the reel drive torque ( Sanyo models).Hope i've helped............Let me know.

............Kevin

HiNeed help with my technicolor 212E video recorder, it has started to chew up my tapes.can anyone helpthanks

Hi Noel

Nope, definetley SLF30UB (AS for the Australia model).It's the really slim model.I've just sent you a private e-mail regarding the issues i've come across.

Thanks again.....................Kev

Kevin,

Did you mean SLC35UB perhaps???

regards Noel

Hi Guys

I'm in need ( for a change) of a service manual for a Sony SLHF30UB Beta vcr.Anyone can help please e-mail me.Thanks in advance................Kevin

Just a trip down Memory Lane. Around the time in the late 80s when VHS had embarked upon its quest to take over the world - for the sad reasons we know all too well - I came across an SLHF950 in a small Beta corner in a shop in London's Tottenham Court Road. I had read about it, and duly drooled over it. I only got as far as drooling because the shop wanted around 800 quid for it in 1980s money - equivalent to one hell of a lot more today and very far beyond my means! It does drive home its flagship status, and I still feel I'm privileged to own one in the here and now.

Regards to everybody, Bill

Hello,I'm after a betamax camera and separate recorder. It dosen't need to work. It's for a TV prop. Something like the Sony sl f1 would be good. South east england would be good, including London. (will pay cash)Thank's Ty.

Hello,I'm after a betamax camera and separate recorder. It dosen't need to work. It's for a TV prop. Something like the Sony sl f1 would be good. South east england would be good, including London.Thank's Ty.

I have a Toshiba 8600B vcr that I would rather give away than just dump in the skip. I recently transferred some old films to DVD with it. Whoever wants is welcome to it but must collect it from the Birmingham area. There are also a few used tapes. Best regardsClive

Richard,

I looked at your video and it seems the machine is not happy that the tape is loaded properly. I would check the cassette loaded switch is working correctly. Other than that it might not be sensing movement in one on the reel sensors as it loads the tape again indicating that things are wrong making it spit out the tape.

Now for the funny bit. I also checked out another video shown near yours while I was on U-tube. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gjX5hzkpPY&feature=related

The Sony Super Beta HiFi NTSC mechanical design is like the later mono PAL SLS2000 we had in Australia with one major difference in that it had an "idler wheel" to help stabilise the tape movement. This was something Sony had in their top of the range SLV777 VHS machines at the time. The funny bit is the tape that plays at the 3min 17 sec point which has some comments on travel to Australia and what to do. I don't know what "adult channel" the advertisement was recorded off...........?

cheers Noel

To illustrate my problem further it seems similar to this guys problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14Axu69PKs&feature=related

It takes in the tape, but when I press anything I see the indicator on the display show the "play" sign, forward etc, but then it takles a few seconds and it ejects the tape. Doesn't wind it in or anything which it did the first time I started it up.

How shoudl I proceed?

Richard

Hi!

I need some advice regarding my old Betamax, maybe someone here can help me out.I recently bought an old SL-F30 UB from the UK. I put a Swedish plug on it since the old one was damaged and we have the same voltage (240). The unit powered up ok and did a self diagnostic, I connected it to the TV and found it ok. I then proceeded and put in a tape which was taken in ok and pressed play. The unit gave me a picture and I was overjoyed but a minute later it spit out the tape and didn't wind it back properly. After that it spits out the tape all the time. Whenever I put a tape in and press a button rew, ffd or play it doesn't wind it in and the videohead doesn't spin.I've read the pages on this model here and I think it might be a problem with the Hall effect sensor as described here: http://www.palsite.com/pcat_hmotor.htmlAs I have little experience with repairing VCR's and I don't want to damage it I thought I'd ask for advice here first. If anyone has some input or advice for me please let me know.

Best regards,

Richard

Hi All .. I am downsizing and though very reluctantly, I have decided to sell my cherished Sony Video Cassette Recorder SL-C9UB. I have owned this machine since new (bought 1983)and enjoyed many hours recording and playing back TV programmes at my leisure. The machine comes with it's original Operating Manual, Remote Control, plus all associated cables and 21 various used Video Cassettes. In addition is a Eurochannels Video Head Cleaner Beta VA211.

Whilst I have no idea how much this Betamax is actually worth, I would trust the Betamax enthusiasts to offer a fair price. In view of the weight of this item I would prefer it if it could be collected in person. If collected, I can give the purchaser a demonstration of it in working order.

Many Thanks...................morrie

Hi Kevin,

Many thanks, I'll happily ignore my glum drum!

All the best, Bill

Hi Bill

If your Sony SLHF950 is'nt showing any signs of poor performance with that head drum looking glum :) then i would'nt worry about it.I believe they are supposed to be dull and not shiny like the Sanyo ones.It's to do with being frictionless in the fast wind modes.I have read before that some earlier ( and later) Sony models can suffer with this after time and cause a bumping sound on REW that can be cured by using a white INK RUBBER to the surface of the drum obviously staying well clear of the fragile video (&Hi-Fi ) heads.

Hope this helps Bill....................Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Many thanks, that's very helpful - as usual! I'm afraid that gets you another question I've been meaning to post for some time. The head drum on my 950 LOOKS horrible, with the polished shine gone altogether on quite a few irregularly shaped patches. But I can't detect ANY drop in its excellent performance, and it doesn't appear to be doing anything nasty to tape. Can you explain? If it doesn't mean the heads themselves are damaged and I can just ignore it until and unless I CAN detect any performance fall-off, obviously that's fine with me, but I'd like your opinion. The only problem I've ever had with the machine was a slightly sticking drawer, and that was quite easy to fix. The cassette housing was being pushed up slightly too much on entry and was occasionally fouling at the top.

All the best, Bill

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Hi Stuart:

Many thanks for the info.Much appreciated.

Hi Bill:

In regards to tape mould....All the tape mould i've seen on casettes has always revealed itself with a white looking powder on the top(or edge) of the tape viewable through the tape window.Some is removeable and constututes no detriment to the playback ,especialy if FF and REW in a Sanyo which unlaces (the VTC9300, 9100,5400,5300 did NOT unlace for the FF and REW modes) ,as this will remove most that's on the tape surface.I did recieve one on E-Bay once that was so bad , if you held the tape to daylight you could see it had penetrated the magnetic layer and looked similar to oil in a patch of water.Every part that was effected like this you recieved a screen full of snow and bad interference.I still have the really bad tapes i've recieved ( NEVER with any i've bought or used from new),to one day show some what this looks like.

Your players being Sony are more vulnerable to 'cleaning 'this off as they are laced at ALL times and this substance will inevitably get onto the heads.I actually overhauled a guys VTC 5000 who was in the tape transferring business.He claimed poor picture quality and when i looked at one of the heads this white powder had gathered and blocked the head.

As fo the moving the tpae forward before recording......This is a good idea if you use the same tape for time shifting and then recording straight over.It saves extra wear at the beginning from being loaded and unloaded in the vcr.But if you store them for long periods it IS advisable to rewind them fully.I always FF and then REW ANY new tape i use(I have quite a few still sealed) as you don't know how long they've been like that.It also puts less strain on the vcr's mechanism as the tape has been allowed to 'breathe' somewhat.I too now own a good range of Sony beta ( SLHF100, C9 ,C20 ,SLHF950 ) so i have the best of both worlds.Good to hear from you Bill :)

Hope this helps..............Kevin

Hi Kevin,

It's me again - don't say I didn't warn you! Looking back, I came across your posting to your namesake back in August about tape mould. It's worried me a bit as I have a number of tapes - mainly Scotch 750 - which haven't been played for the best part of twenty years. They have been stored in a dry place and in room temperature. Some have stuff on them that I'd rather not lose. Is tape mould ALWAYS as visible as you describe, or should I distrust the tapes on principle? Are there other symptoms?

Also - you mention moving the tape forward a second or so. Rightly or wrongly, I came up believing that before playing tapes stored for some considerable time you should fast forward them right to the end and back to the beginning so as to ensure even tension. If there's a risk of mould would that actually be dangerous? My machines are Sony.

All the best, Bill