H All

I am new to betamax ...I need to convert few hundred Hi-Fi tapes ,,I bought a HF900 and it doesn't work . It powers on but the tape won't load. Any suggestions on where to start

Hi Stuart, thanks for the offer of the capstan motors, but I am going to bin a load of c7 's and c5 's that I don't have the room for as I am moving house very soon :-S

Hi again Noel,

Just a small addendum - unlike the UK-only models, my SLHF950ES has VHF and the facility to use the very slightly different European UHF channel frequencies. Do you think it would do stereo on VHF, assuming that's possible?

Regards, Bill

Hi Noel,

That greatly interested me. My SLHF950 is an ES originally imported from Germany. Does that mean it's likely to have a dual FM tuner? My much mourned Loewe TV, which was REAL multistandard and would take absolutely anything you could throw at it, had a dual FMtuner. I'm in a good location for TV DX from NW mainland Europe and on rare occasions when the ionosphere is being exceptionally co-operative I have logged UHF transmissions from Germany, mainly WDR in the north and west of the country. I can't recall whether I got actual stereo or not, but I did get English language films in dual mono with the original soundtrack on one channel and dubbed German on the other, thus proving I WAS getting two channels.

In the early 90s I did get VHF from Portugal through to Russia via Spain Italy, Greece and former Yugoslavia, but no trace of stereo. Am I right in thinking that in Australia you use VHF as well as UHF? If so does the dual FM system work on VHF? I did get UHF stereo on occasion from France, Belgium and the Netherlands, but of course that was Nicam. If Germany ever turns up reliably again, it would be great to be able to record it in stereo on my 950. I haven't heard anything about analogue switch off dates in Germany. What do you think? Might the 950 autosense like the Loewe did?

Both my late 80s/early 90s Panasonic S-VHS machines have Nicam, and believe it or not they're still working. Even VHS machines from that period were made of better stuff than the plastic and cardboard they use now!

All the best, Bill

Hi Guys,

Not on the chat page enough these days but just picked up on some comments made below.

The TV/VCR switch. Used on machines which had their "VCR generated TV output signal" in the VHF band." This switch takes the antenna throughput signal off the "TV O/P" connection of the VCR and gives the TV its program instead generated from tuner or playback instead.The TV test signal is featured on some VCRs to help you tune in to the "VCR channel" on the TV.

Comments on NICAM in beta machines. I don't think there were any NICAM tuner equiped models though I know the early top off the range VHS sony machines SLV787 and 777 had Nicam in UK.

Australia used the same PAL dual carrier FM stereo sound system as West Germany. The SLC9CES (german model) had a stereo tuner as did the SLHF100ES & AS versions, the SLHF150 (77) and the SLHF950ES & AS versions. The Australian version SLC9AS only had a mono tuner.

I don't know of any Sanyo units that had the stereo tuners.

regards Noel (betaheaven.com)

Hi Richard, I have 2 I can send you, I need to remove them from the c7s first though.

Hi everyone.I have a problem with my Sony C6 -UB MARK II. When I press play the video head spins for about 2 seconds then cuts out. The same happens when I press rewind and fast-forward. Could this be the head motor or some componants on a pcb that would need replacing? Thanks.Richard :-)

can anyone send me the Sony SL-2500 set-up guide please for free? i cant find anywhere

Thank you

Hi Dave 1959,

I've got to try to help you - I'm in exile in Essex, but I was born and bred in Corstorphine! Favourite pubs Deacon Brodie's and the Vincent. Can you let me know what sockets your TV has - the large rectangular multi-pin SCART type and/or small round PHONO type, and I'll take it from there.

Regards, Bill

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for filling in some gaps in my knowledge. It's indeed an interesting subject. I've only ever come across just one pre-recorded tape in linear stereo in this country, a Miles Davis concert a few years ago in Virgin which I nearly bought until I noticed it was in linear. I did buy a George Shearing linear tape many years ago in Virgin Paris because I particularly wanted its content. Unfortunately it claimed on the box to be in PAL but was actually in SECAM, leaving me with both black and white and lousy sound!

I came across a few linear/SECAM tapes in a second-hand shop in Paris, so there must have been some linear/SECAM machines at some point on sale in France. Has anyone else come across linear pre-recorded tapes in Beta or for that matter in VHS? I'm pretty damned sure there were no VHS/PAL linear machines sold in this country.

Ultravixen - unfortunately simulcasts were very few and far between, tending to be for "events" like major classical concerts. I do remember the Grateful Dead in Berlin, but even then they put out only half the concert in simul.

All the best to you both,Bill

Hi everyone.I am looking for a working capstan motor for a Sony C7UB vcr. Has anybody got one for sale?Thanks.Richard :-)

Kevrs2000

I can't answer your query as i hav'nt any exerience with those multi standard models.Some vcr's i know will happily let you exchange parts, such as capstan motors and the like but complex circuit boards you would have to stick with the same model and one which is hopefully OK.

Also there is no 'click' on this board,those of us who can will help and reply IF we have an answer.Do not take not being responeded to as being ignored or due to others being favoured.(You do get more with 'sugar than 'vinegar' as i'm sure you are aware:)Good luck with sourcing the correct board and before i go , is it not possible to repair the bits broken.How badly damaged is it?A lot of crcked boards can have the tracks broken re soldered or connected successfully?I've done this a few times with many tracks being severed.

......Kevin

oh dear ,it seems ive interrupted ,a "click" ,well i must have been naive to think that ,i would have got a replay, you wont be hearing from me again :(

Thanks Kevin & Bill. That just about clears it up.

My questions arose as I have acquired some legacy 'taped off tv' tapes, and wondered if any recordings might be in stereo. I want to get the best out of any digital transfers I make.

It seems to me now based on what you say it'd be highly unlikely, unless the original owners went very much out of their way *and* the TV broadcast supported it (could've only been things like Top Of The Pops doing simulcasts, no?).

So the best I could hope for is that *maybe* the broadcasts were recorded with HiFi (albeit mono), but it seems even that would be rare with only 2 or 3 (?) UK domestic decks able to record HiFi sound. But I guess there's no way of telling without a HiFi deck myself.

Hi Ultravixen and Bill:

Interesting subject....There was ,as far as i know, NO Beta vcr(PAL) that could record from it's or indeed was equipped) with a nicam signal.I'm not sure about the later Japanese models.There were only two PAL Beta domestic vcr's that could record and play in stereo.The sony SLC9 and C40. When i say stereo it was still recorded along the narrow edge of the tape and still was lo fi down to the slow tape speed.it was achieved by splitting the part of the tape used for the mono sound into two halfs.These Sony's that had linear stereo also had Sony's Beta noise reduction (BNR) to help with the sound but i found it better with it off.Interestingly ,i did'nt realise until using a C9 i've obtained that on the Sony slave machines ,which recorded the tapes you buy with movies on,that these 'slave vcr's not only put Beta Hi-Fi sound on ( from around 1983/4) but they also put the linear stereo track on too.I tried one out with beta hi-Fi on my C9 and lo and behold the linear stereo tracks were indeed i stereo.Bear in mind too the BBC did'nt start to broadcast Nicam stereo until around 1993 and Beta models were no longer being made.Sony's last were around 1988/9.

Beta hi-Fi is a totally improved system whereby the Hi quality stereo sound is recorded in a similar way as the picture info put placed deeper onto the tape.As the heads that record this sound are spinning the quality is much better than linear as it has no bearing on the speed of the tape, as in the latter.Also the Pal system for Beta had to use two sets of heads(one set for the picture and one set for the Hi-Fi) as there was'nt enough room in the PAL system signal for this to use the SAME two heads that the NTSC models used.ALL VHS models with Hi-Fi used two sets of heads.The ONLY Sanyo PAL Beta Hi-Fi model in the UK was the quite popular VTC M40. Australia and new Zealand also had a later model the VTC M50 which was very similar in function to the M40. Sanyo released only 1 SuperBeta Hi-F model for the US market.The Sanyo VTC7250.I own one.All their later beta models were Super Beta but without the Beta Hi-Fi, until Sanyo ceased production of Beta around late 1986/87.Sony only released one SuperBeta model for the PAL market the SLHF950 with the linear skating drawer.It did'nt have linear stereo but did have Beta Hi-Fi.You can record on either beta hi-Fi or linear stereo providing you have the vcr hooked up with a stereo signal from either another Hi-Fi or stereo vcr, freeview or Satellite.The picture will be better two as it's digital in most cases.

Hope all this info clears up any confusion..............?

........Kevin

Hi Ultravixen,

I'm afraid that Beta doesn't sit AT ALL with NICAM. There has never been a Beta machine sold in the UK - and I'm pretty sure anywhere ese - with ANY kind of stereo tuner, let alone with NICAM. In the heyday of Beta the only way to record anything in stereo was to use the simulcast function when a programme's sound was broadcast simultaneously on FM radio. That's long died out. The only way to get stereo into a Beta Hi-Fi machine is in AV mode with a stereo source. I use a cheap Freeview tuner and get quite acceptable results. Of course when the switch-off happens, that or satellite will be the only way to record anything at all off-air, and our excellent tuners will be redundant.

Linear stereo is irrelevant. Neither of the two Sony Hi-Fi stereo machines sold in the UK used it. I'm sure Kevin will correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm dead ignorant about Sanyo, but I don't think they used it either. I'm next to certain that no domestic machines ever recorded in linear stereo. As regards outputs, you get what you select. On an SLHF100 there are two settings, NORMAL, which gives you the pretty poor mono sound recorded from the UHF TV signal, and AUTO, which gives you whatever is on the tape. The machines record a standard and a Hi-Fi signal at the same time. Recordings off-air played with AUTO will be two channel mono in very good quality. Personally, I leave my SLHF100 in AUTO all the time. You can't possibly make a "Hi-Fi stereo recording of a mono broadcast". You CAN make a Hi-fi MONO recording of a stereo broadcast. Hi-Fi and Stereo ain't necessarily the same thing.

There was a bit of a vogue a few years ago for trying to adapt the tuner and audio circuitry of stereo Hi-Fi machines to support NICAM, but I haven't seen anyone mention it for quite a while.

As regards pre-recorded tapes, in AUTO, if there's a Hi-Fi signal present - mono or stereo - that's what you'll get. If there isn't, then you'll get the non-Hi-Fi sound. If you play a tape on a mono machine, that's all you'll get. I suppose that is a sort of detection, but fairly primitive. For once in this life it's actually less complicated than you think! Hope all this is helpful.

Regards,Bill

I'm trying to get my head round the different stereo options Betamax offered, and how this sits with Nicam. Here's a few questions:

1. AFAIK Nicam didn't start broadcasting until 1986, so if a mono TV show was recorded with linear stereo, would there be any audible difference upon playback to if it was recorded on a mono only machine?

2. Same question as above but with a hi-fi stereo recording of a mono broadcast.

3. Can machines with linear stereo / hi-fi stereo automatically detect that a recording has or hasn't been made in either of those audio formats, or is it up to the user to switch the settings on?

4. Same as above, but regarding Sony's noise reduction - is it automatically detectable?

The TV/VTR switch I mean, what does it do, and does it affect picture/sound quality in any way?

I have a SL-HF100 with a VTR/TV switch. What does this do?

DOES ANYONE HAVE A MULTI-STANDARD BETAMAX MACHINE FOR SALE

hello all, im wondering can anybody help me ? 1 bought a betamax video recorder vtc 5000 and im trying to get the connection leads for the machone i stay in edinburgh scotland if anyone can help e. maail me [email protected] yours dave

Lauren, Have you tried unplugging it from the wall and then reapplying? If that doesn' work then try removing the belt and rotate the loading ring back to its loaded clockwise position but this time have the carriage go down with to. To do this you can use the belt and rotate the gear on the carriage. You will have to reach in the cassette door and release the carriage and continue to hold the release until its past the catch. Do all this with the power. Unplugged. Once both the carriage and the ring are in their FULLY loaded position put the belt back on and plug her back in.

One other thing to note - I mentioned in my previous post that a tape had gotten stuck and I had to manually remove it from the machine. I've just watched a quick video of the insides of a working machine, and it appears my gears are still in their respective spots, as if a tape were still in the machine. It seems it never re-set itself. Any idea how to get the gears back to where they're supposed to be? Thank you all kindly for your time!

Charlie, I moved the gear as you said and the loader didn't budge any more. It appears that once I tried the first time, it went back to its rightful position. When I turn the power on, the gear still runs non-stop, and if i try to load a tape, its in the right position to accept it but it doesn't automatically load.

I have an Sony SL-2500 NTC Betamax VCR with owners manual but I no have the set up guide can anyone can sen me a PDF copy of the SL- 2500 set up guide I can find anywhere or the SL-2500 service manual copy if you can send me

Thank you

can anyone send me a copy of the sony PCM-701ES or PCM -f1 owners manual? please i can find anywhere from Sony

Thank you

Hi everyone.

I am moving house soon and have a quantity of SONY C7 and C5 vcr's, and an NTSC Industrial Duplicator if anybody wants them all free of charge. I live in Caldicot, south Wales. There maybe some tapes as well :-PRichard.

Hi Kent

It sounds as if the 'hall effect sensor' has shorted due to the glue Sony used to keep the sensor in place.One way to check is as soon as you press play try to turn center of the top of the head drum with your fingers.If it's the sensor you'll feel resistance until the play mode disengages.If you don't it's a problem on the servo boad.This is getting more common now as the glue becomes conductive after many years and if it get's damp it shotens out the sensor.You will need an old sensor from a Sanyo,Sony or Toshiba capstan or drum motor.Doing this is best left to those with experience, as i've seen two Sony's with damaged heads and one with dry joints to the head drum motor (not unplugging the cable first) down to owners trying to sort these out.

Good luck...............Kevin

I have a Sony Beta hi-fi SL-2700 that I purchased new in 1983. It has been a great machine but has developed a problem. It will load and unload tapes ok, but when you push "play" it immediately stops. "FF" and "replay" seem to operate a couple of seconds longer, but also immediately stop. Trouble checks in the manual do not seem to pinpoint the problem. Any ideas as to the cause of the problem would be much appreciated.

Lauren, your carriage might still be in the down position. That motor your talking about does double duty for both the carriage and loading ring. Unplug the power and again remove that belt but this time rotate the gear that's on the carriage in whatever direction moves the holder to its fully upright position. Once your sure that the holder is clear up and the loading ring is still in the load position then put the belt back on ,plug it in and give it a try. Charlie

HI .can anyone help me ,i have a sony SL T30 ME ,with a broken circuit board ,what i want to know is will a circuit board from an SL T50 work with it ,as ive seen one for sale for spares ,thanks .kevin !

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your responses. Charlie - taking the belt off got the loader back in its rightful place, thank you! However, now when I turn the power on to load a new tape, one of the gears runs incessantly without stopping. It appears there is a metal stop between the two gears that shifts back and forth to stop the gear from running. Only when I manually move it, or turn the power off, does the gear finally stop running. Any ideas why the gear might be running on its own like that?

Lauren, Try this -- remove the loading belt located on the right side of the video drum from it gear, It will probably be a toothed belt. Now start turning the gear in whatever direction makes the loading ring around the heads start to move counterclockwise and keep turning it until it's back into the load position. Once it's clear back around put the belt back on and try your tape again.Charlie

Somko, sorry about the misspell. Charlie.

Lauren, Does the green power light come on? I think your problem is the same problem that you had with yourHFR30 --- the voltage regulator in the power supply. Did you ever replace that on your 30 ? Smoko might be right about the gear but my money is on the VR. Charlie

Lauren, WOW!!!!!!!!!!I wonder what that tape looks like that you were able to remove?

Assuming that you didn't destroy any guide posts when withdrawing the tape it appears the loading assembly has a stripped gear.

If you can dissasemble the loader and figure out what gear you need and then find a source for it, all well and good.

If you can't, then find a similar unit, probably on eBay, that has a good loader and cannibalize it.

Hope this helps, Somko.

Hi everyone, I am a total novice trying to fix an old Betamax that I picked up from my parents house. Its a Sony SDL-HFR90, and when I initially plugged it in it was working just fine until I put in another tape and it wouldn't eject. Once I finally got it out and tried another, it appears that the frame that catches the tape when inserted never popped back up to receive the tape. So when the power is on, and I insert a tape, it won't receive it since the frame never popped back up. I hope this is making sense...might anyone have an idea of whats going on or be able to help?

Thank you in advance for any suggestionsLauren

Alex,

You can get belts from Wes components in Sydney Australia.

regards Noel

Hi Alex.

I can easily get those belts needed (X3-M10, X2 -5005)) but i am based in the UK so would'nt be viable.Noel Higgins would be your man.

Please don't retire ANY vcr because or worn belt's/ idlers! So many do this out of fear or not being able to get parts.The ones i come across are always in need of some love ,but work beautifully and very reliably after a good overhaul.Especially as now most are 20 to 30 odd years old and stored for the last ten or so years!!I still think some people want a vcr to work forever without and attention after two, three,four years (depending on useage).Vcr's are like cars, after so many miles/hours useage they need an overhaul/service and vital mechanisms checked,worn parts replaced and necessary items lubed.It does'nt mean ....'oh well it does'nt work off to the scrap heap'.Sadly a lot of todays technology IS treated as such..........which is a shame in some cases.

Good luck.....................Kevin

Hi,i am a long time betamax owner but it has come to the time that my machines require new belts Models Sanyo VTC-M10 and VTC-5005, would anyone know where i could find the replacement belt kits somewhere around the world, as i am not ready just yet to retire the betamax format

Thank you

Alex

Steve,

If the solution that Kevin has suggested does not work try this. The problem of a dead front panel on a C7 apart from the clock working can be caused by the switches in the timer control panel collapsing internally which causes the machine to lockup.You will be able to tell because they have not return action when pressed.

My quick solution if you cant find replacement switches is to remove all of the faulty switches and just leave the remaining good switches to set the clock function.

regards Noel

Can anyone send an emali of the sony SL-5800 or SL- 5400 operating manual scan please icant find it anywhere my email is [email protected]

Thank you

I have a sony betamax pal SL-F1E which comes complete with power adapter AC -F1E with carry strap and all connections and original storage case.it is in new like condition. i have had it put away for years after inheriting it and am now looking to sell it. from my searches it would appear to be very rare. if any one is interested or have any questions please contact.

Hi Bloombi

I believe the battery for this model is NP1 (NOT NP11 as for their Betamovie).It's a bit longer in size.I think there was an alternative but equivalent for the NP1 that came up new on E-Bay a while ago.You may still be lucky enough to get one.As for the charger i have no idea yet.

Hope this helps..............Kev

Sanyo vpr 5800 betacord

hello I got this baby without the battary and the power cable.I looking for help about the power for the video .1. what kind of power ?2 maybe schematics of the device.3 what kind of battary?

any help would be aprichated thanks Avi

i acquired a brand new looking sears beta scan could someone please tell me what they are going for? it even has the dust cover with it

Thanks Kev, Ill investigate pronto!

JJ - The tiny button is for setting and starting the clock.

Regards, Bill

Hi Stevie

I've just found this info on this site in the technical area for the C7.

No functions. Check regulator transistor Q25 [2SC13641] zener diode D)on the system control panel .Hope this helps.............Good luck...............Kev

Anyone got any ideas on the C7 problem of dead front panel apart from clock working?

JJ,

One thing to check is if the tape edge is damaged on either side. Sometimes a poorly aligned machine can do that. If it is that changes the position of the tape slightly hence the tracking. You just need to release the flap and observe the tapes surface.

cheers Noel

Hi tarik

I believe most were unaware of this Sanyo model including myself.It would seem to be a VTC 5000 with a different fascia and no ability to record.I believe Sanyo made that to get it into rental stores to promote the Beta format and their brand of vcr too.Maybe they decided to alter the front panel appearance and hence the VTC5000 was born.The biggest selling vcr for 1982 gaining Sanyo a total 15% vcr market share in the UK.No bad feat..........Kevin

i recently saw on e-bay, a sanyo vtc 1000 playback only betamax machine, its the first time i have come across anything like it, has anone any information on this?

Hi Guys.What you really need are some good Beta Hi-Fi recordings(more critical) or even a Sony alignment tape to see how far out the tracking is at dead center.You can control the tracking range from inside the vcr.BUT you need to know which one to turn.As light movement(left to right) of the audio head assembly can put the internal tracking control out too.The head track width and control pulses are very small.If you need the tracking to one extreme end on ALL tapes you play ,it is'nt quite set up as it should be.I also would'nt go random twiddling either as some control pots will put other major settings out, and THAT would be a big headache, if you hav'nt got any means to set these up again.Good quality recordings from a well set up reliable Beta vcr can sometimes gauge how far out your vcr is.Most recordings from other vcr's should only need a minute tweak of the outer tracking control at best.It also depends too how well the one they were recorded on was set up too.Hope this helps...............Kevin

Bill and Roderick,Yes, I need to adjust the tracking occasionally, and, perhaps significantly, for the tapes copying well, the setting is right at the end of travel in one direction. I guess if either the current machine or the original recorder were worked on by an amateur, the accuracy of the setup might have been poor.I had hoped there might be another answer; is there a way of altering the main tracking setup?There is a tiny button in the centre under the flap - might be an on/off switch for use by an engineer or a tool is used on it to turn it to adjust something - any ideas?I appreciate your help .... JJ

JJ - I think Roderick is probably dead right about the tracking, particularly if you get horizontal breakup and interference. It can happen when tapes are recorded on one machine and then played back on another when the optimum tracking settings for each are different. It can also affect or even lose the Hi-Fi stereo. The tracking wheel is on the extreme right of the machine under the + and - buttons. It has a detent in the middle.

Bill

JJ, have you tried adjusting the tracking?

Hello Helpers,I have an HF100 doing sterling service copying to DVD. I have copied approx 100 tapes with no problems, however I have started another box all of which suffer from what appears to be a mis-timing problem. The picture is ok but every second or so, it slips and spoils the copy. This is the same whether at the beginning or end of the tape. If I play any of the tapes already copied, they are still playing perfectly. I think it possible the troublesome tapes may well have been recorded on a different machine. My question is ... is there a way of fine-tuning the speed of tape transfer/playback on this machine? All suggestions very welcome - thank you. Jeremy

Hi guys, I know ive asked this on here before but Im hoping for some fresh ideas. I have a Sony Beta C7 I got from Ebay, worked fine, I put it away for a few months, got it back out, now the clock lights up but no buttons do anything on the front panel, and I cant eject the tape inside. Any clues?I also have a C6 which has the typcal wow and screen distortion, Im a newbie - how difficult is it to replace the capacitors, as per the youtube repair guide?

Thanks

Stevie, Glasgow

Hi Bill

I e-mailed you privately.Did you recieve it?

.......Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Rather than p***s on about myself, I do want to use your high powered services and get you to sort out my SLFH100. If you would like me to send it by GP or courier, or other indirect method, that's fine. If you're not bothered about that, would you have any objection to sending me your home address so I could bring the machine up to you? It's not that much of a drive, I'm in Boreham Village just North of Chelmsford . Obviously, I would not expect you to post that info on the general board.

Regards, Bill

Hi Noel,

Nice to hear from you, right on the nail as usual. Kevin has offered to check it out and I'm going to take him up on it. He's a reasonable driving distance away, we don't do huge distances like you antipodeans :)

Regards, Bill

Hi BillIf you need to send it to me.I'll get it A1 for you.

............Kev

Bill,

You will have to take the top off the machine to see what is going on if anything. There are lots of issues that could cause that symptom. With the top off you will also have to remove the metal screen that goes over the video head area so you can see what the load motor is doing.The machine has switches which sense when a tape is loaded. They might be faulty so that machine does not sense you are loading the tape.

Possible faults1/ Power supply. Check that AV and Tuner are alternatively selected when you use the selector switch behind the lower front panel.2/ Faulty switch. No indication of load motor movement because machine does not know tape inserted. OR the load motor is jammed or the drive circuit is faulty.3/ Faulty load motor drive mo. Motor is running but planetary gears jammed or broken. I have seen this on two machines.4/ The load ring is not completely in the home position due to a faulty black drive gear slipping on the shaft. Usually when this happens the tape is not spooled back into the cassette and the tape wont eject.

As you can see not a simple issue. You probably need to seek out a repairer in UK.

regards Noel

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for coming back. I'll open it up and check as you advise. Are you saying it's likely to be a mechanical problem rather than electronic?

All the best,Bill

Hi Bill

It sounds like there could be an issue with the leaf spring which opens (or closes ) as you push a tape inside.(oxidised contacts?)It's fixed the the right side of the tape loading mechanism.As the tapes springs back 2 cm i would'nt have thought broken gears would be the cause.Maybe a stary piece of debris has got into a slider or other vital part and is restricting it's movement.

I've just fully overhauled one of these..............

........Kevin

In case anyone should want to contact me direct, I misspelled my e-mail address. It should read "[email protected]".

Bill

I have a sony pcm 701 es if anyone interested. I think most people on ebay have not an idea what it is for. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230595269950&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

This probably means I'll end up indebted to Kevin and/or Noel yet again!

My hitherto reliable SLHF100 has acquired a very serious problem. It's been out of action for about 6 months because I couldn't accommodate both it and my 950 in the space I was constrained to use. Right now I want to check a whole load of tapes for keeping or junking using this computer with a capture dongle so as not to tie up the main TV set for hours on end. My other TV/monitor only has a 7 inch screen.

On hitching the machine up again, it's point blank refusing to load a tape. You can push it in to about -3mm, let go and it jumps out to about 2 cm. I haven't opened it up yet, I'll wait until I hear something from whoever. I've checked the tech page, but nothing seems to fit. The front panel display lights up properly, so it's definitely getting power. I've of course tested it with umpteen different tapes - no change.

It's a very early model, bought in 1984, which as I understand it was the year of its release. Thanks to Kevin, I do have the service manual.

Yours in hope, Bill

i have a spare manual for a SONY 100 a,pay postage its yours

I have a Toshiba V-5470D that was working well until one of the drive belts failed. I have changed the belt but now there is no picture or sound. The sceen has "interference" style flashes only when the Play button is pressed. Are the drive wheels in some sort of sync? Two are numbered from 0-5. Could the head be dirty or am I just unlucky and the unit has failed .The tape loads and runs and unloads OK Any one got any ideas?

Hi Doc,

Sorry I don't know much about the 8700A. I think I might have one but they are not documented on Palsite just shown to exist.

Paul,

I have spare flaps for the SLC9 machines but I am in Australia so that might not be much help.

regards Noel

Hi DocI have the original manuals for these two items. I have scanned the specification page of the Toshiba V-8700A if you would me to send it to your home email address I would be happy to do so. The VCR was purchased from Bonds & Kirbys, Victora on 5/7/1984 and I still have the original sales invoice.

Hello again DocMy husband comes down to the Gold Coast on business quite regularly. Would it be possible for him to bring the items and meet up with you to discuss a possible settlement? If so, what days and times would suit you most, and where would be a suitable place to meet? I am happy to communicate with you by personal email if that is more convenient.

Noel,can you tell me if the oshiba 8700a is an aussie machine/regards doc

Barbara,depenmding on condition,we may be able to settle on a price?

Hi DocI am very happy that you could use these Beta goods. The camera has not been used for many years but worked perfectly back then. My husband says the VCR requires a rubber belt to drive the heads. I am not aware of the value of these items. I would seek yours and others guidance in this regard.

Does anyone have a 'cassette is inside' flap for a sony sl-2500/ sl-C9 betamax vcr?

Email me if you do have one going spare.

ThanksPaul

Hi everybody,

I have bought a mint looking Sony C7 Betamax player, it looks like it has not been used and has all instructions and the remote control is still sealed in plastic.

I have plugged it in and switched it on but nothing seems to happen, I changed the fuse in the plug but still nothing. It is as though there is no power going through the machine at all.

Someone said it could be an internal fuse problem. Can anyone help me fix this lovely machine?

I live in Chester uk.

hi.barbara yes I could use your Beta stuff,how muc h are you asking i am on the gold coast

Oops! Forgot to mention that I am in Brisbane, Australia.

Hello everyone. This is the first time I have come to your site and chat page. I am here as we have a Sony Betamovie BMC-500P AF CCD (Auto Focus Charge Coupled Device). We do not know what to do with this unit. We do not use it and it is sitting in a carry bag with batteries and other specific equipment (and has been for many years). We are moving house and I would like to know if it would be useful to somebody. We also have a Toshiba Video Cassette Beta Recorder V-8700A four head rotary. Does anyone know if this would be useful also? Thanks.

Charlie what is the easiest way to get to that ic chip? Which screws do I need to remove. I have located the power supply but it seems like there is no good entrance to get to it.

Also there is a tape that is still stuck in my player. Do you have any advice on how to get it out?

Thanks!

Lauren, The part your needin to replace doesn't really power anything . It merely controls the different voltages going to different areas of the various boards. Part of it is still ok while another part of it is no good.Thats why you have lights on the display but no power light or drum operation. I don't know where you looked for the part but I just saw it on the Union web site for $4.80 and it's a RCA (Thomson) brand.The best thing you can do to see what it looks like is to take the one out of your Beta. The part has nice clear lettering on the side, STK 5441. You can't miss it.

Charlie,

I looked for that part and it looks like it is around 30. 00. Do you know if there is a picture online that helps me locate that particular chip? I am still learning about those designs. So this part will help power the overall drum head? Sorry I am learning about the amazing 80's unit.

Thanks!

Lauren

Lauren, The part you need can purchased from Union Electronics in ILL.I order from them on line at www.unionel.com. Once at the site do a search for STK 5441 and it will take you to a listing. Scroll down until you find the part.It's listed as an IC and cost about five dollars.The replacement in the vcr power supply is easy ONCE you get the power supply out.The regulator is mounted on an aluminum heat sink.It must be un-soldered from the little circuit board first in order to remove the two screws that hold it to the heat sink.Once you get the power supply out you'll see the aluminum heat sink --- The little black regulator is under it. Make sure the vcr is unplugged before messin around the power supply. Also buy some de-soldering braid to remove the old solder. Good Luck!

Charlie,

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!! I double checked on the model number again and it is SL-HFR30. I found my dad's manual. I am trying so hard to surprise him for his birthday and convert all of our home videos to dvd/movie files.

Digging through the basement I found his old Betamax but now it is not playing correctly. I cannot even get the thing to make a sound. As I said the LCD screen lights up but it doesn't seem like the other side is getting power. The eject button does not work however all the other controls such as the play and fast forward button is showing on the lcd screen as it is working but no sound or click. I opened it up and checked the gears and they seem to be moving with me manually turning them. So I keep thinking it is the power.

I noticed you said a particular part. Where would I be able to find it?

Thank you!

Lauren

I recently acquired a sanyo betamovie vrc 100. The battery seems good, or at least holds some charge. I am able to eject and load a tape, but the cam won't spool the tape nor fully power up. I have tried plugging it in as well as just using bat power, but i only get a sporadic flicker of the LEDs including the caution light and a couple of clicks which the camera seems to do on its own [and the timing is random]. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Vav

Hi all,

My name is Pete & I run a video transfer company in Australia, named Duplication Station.

We have recently begun offering a service of cleaning betamax tapes.. If you have a tape with mildew on it, or one that keeps shedding & clogging your heads, we are able to get that cleaned up & the video transferred onto DVD or HDD.

Our process involves us disassembling the Beta tape & re-spooling it onto VHS spools & rehousing into a VHS shell. We than can run the tape through out wet type CleanerMate cleaning machine &/or one of our dry type RTI TapeChek machines, which use a sapphire burnishing blade to polish the tape surface. The tape is then re-spooled & transferred back into it's beta shell for transfer.

Results have been great. If anyone should need this service we'd be happy to help. We are located in Australia. If you google DuplicationStation.com.au you will find us & our contact details are on the site.

I do hope we haven't offended anyone by posting material of a commercial nature - I could find no such restriction in the guidelines..

Pete

Sorry Noel that should read southern advantage

Noel,southern ewlectrics also sell pal beta machines but they are very expensive eg 999.00

Linux,

No shortcuts here. You will need a U-matic player (not reader) and a PCM. Both show up on Ebay regularly. If you are near Sydney, Australia I can help you with a transfer.

Lauren, I think there's a R missing from your model #. I think you have a SL-HFR30.If thats the case then it's a NTSC model and the voltage regulator in the power supply needs replaced.I THINK it's a STK 5441 and if your good with a soldering iron it's pretty easy to replace.Look for a small black rectangular thing with approxmately 16 small leads coming out of it. The part number is almost always printed on the part. Good luck.Charlie

Hey everybody. I am trying to get my betamax to work. I have a SL-HF30 and everything seems to be working when it comes to LCD display. I will push play and it will show play. I can also adjust the time. However none of the mechanisms inside work. There is a tape that is stuck because my eject but will not work. None of the gears turn when I push play. However the lcd display recognizes the commands. On a side night the power button light does not work. It turns the display on but does not light up? Has anyone every had this problem? What part or parts do I start with?

Thank you!

Hi all! I have a u-matic cassette wich contains an audio master (two audio tracks) encoded in the video track with pcm format. i will buy a u-matic reader on ebay, but i know that i've to use a decoder from video to pcm. is there anyone that knows any other method to "translate" video in pcm? (eg: can i use a video aq device on a pc and decode the video with a software instead of stand alone machine?)thanks for all.Matteo

Noel,the firm sells Beta video machines ithink they would only work in the good ol USA

Hi, new here to the Beta scene. Just picked up an SL-HFT7 Super Beta Theater. Does anyone here have this machine and if so, have any advice for a first time owner.

Also, where's a good place in the US to get Pre-Recorded Beta tapes? Obviously, I'm not talking about eBay. I mean a private seller.

Does anyone have a spare RMT-216 remote control for the Sony C30?

Cheers, Matt

Kevin,

If the lens assembly was dirty or had taken a hit then that would increase the friction also.

I just know the belt in mine was faulty because I changed one over from a faulty 200P to fix the otherwise good 200P. The tube was faulty in the spares machine.

cheers Noel

Robert, To address the second part of your question about the belts. I've never seen a 90 but I have a HFR 30 and70 in my collection and they both use Sonys very dependable cogged type belt. If it isn't broke then it'll work cause it can't slip. More and likely if you tape is loading slow then the loading motor itself is getting tiried.This motor does double duty as the cassette and the tape loading motor so it gets lots of wear and tear. They are very dependable also but they to can go bad. Good luckCharlie