Something a bit unique I found on Ebay. A old Magnasonic Beta vcr. It is a very close cousin to the Sanyo VCR 4400 including the remote. The cat says it is mint as it does look very clean and has the manual also. Still got 4 days to go. The Ebay number is: 1266989869 . Later. Pepse.

I noticed that Magnasonic too! But I've seen a piccy of the Sanyo OEM version and it's not a VCR 4400 but it's in the same family. I wish I'd noted the Sanyo model number. At any rate that damned SL-HFT7 would have to be defective - having it sent to a professional this time.

Olive, ahem dasimpersonator. Everything you touch is defective, why send this one to someone who knows how to fix them? save a buck, do it yourself!

What ?!?!? Olive = DasImperator ????

I thought the new nick name was Franny Wentzel. How many names do you go by ?? I knew there was something strange about going from "nobody ever heard from you" to several posts a day.

Well, here's my vote, Olive is NOT DasImperator. Read back through the posts from Olive. She seems to know what she's talking about. Then compare that to some older posts from DasImperator. 'Nuff said

August 23,2001 11:58 P.M. est.

Olive; Just go on with whatever you are doing. Whatever it is willbe the right thing! Best wishes Al!

Hi. I've got a question for you guys who use an SL-HF860D/870D. How do I access and use the "digital scan" feature? I've read that it'll let me view the picture (in black and white) at the full FF and Rew speed. Is it only on the remote (I don't have the original remote with mine) or can I access it on the front panel somehow? Thanks!

I've also got another question about my SL-HF860D. It has a semi-minor problem and was hoping on some tips to repair it. When the audio monitor switch is in the Hi-fi position, sound comes through from the tuner and line-ins like they should. But if I move it to the normal position all sound ceases, and also, sound is never recorded onto the linear audio track on the tape. And, it also doesn't matter what position the Normal Audio Main/Sap switch is in. I already checked for loose connections. This is the only problem with the machine, otherwise it does work great. If anyone can help me with this problem I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Well I did change out the video heads myself without any problem only to find the faults I'd noticed - a rolling color interference bar/wave and static on the right HiFi channel didn't go away. So it may not have been the heads after all as they worked fine in the VCR I took them from and worked fine when I put them back in their origional. It's a good thing that Sony tolerences in the installment points of the video heads on the two machines were close enough that I could get away with playing Dr. Frankenbeta this once...

At any rate I have the good sense to know when I've been licked and since I don't have board test equipment or any more HiFi video heads floating around...

Hey guys! Does anyone here own a working Aiwa AV-70M beta? I acquired one about 6 months ago and it's a nifty little machine. Was wondering that if anyone has one, have they tried and had any success w/ finding a universal remote that will work it? I've tried 5 different brands and not one of the codes for ANY of the remotes will work the thing. The "code search" feature available on many of these failed, as well. I do have the original remote but it seems to be a bit flaky -- some of the buttons, namely "play", "ffwd" and "pause" work sometimes when pressed, but not other times. I thought perhaps of acquiring a "learning" remote if they still sell 'em.

And one nice feature/trick for this VCR: While it's hifi, it has a mono tuner. But it has a "simulcast" switch that, according to the manual, could be used to record sound off an FM tuner (simulcast) to the beta hifi track while the VCR tuner sound gets recorded on the linear track. But I found that it'll record any source connected to the video inputs. So from a digital cable box, RF to 70M's 75-ohm input, cable box's RCA audio to the 70M's input, tuner mode on (channal 3 programmed in), simulcast on. Viola, true beta hifi. This trick works great for unattended timer recording.

Madness, I also own an AV-70M, but fortunately the remote for it is working okay, so I have not had the need to program a universal remote for the unit. The AV-70M is a fun little unit; it is compact but extremely heavy; and like a Sanyo beta it disengages the tape from the head drum everytime you stop the machine and during FF and RW; an interesting little unit. Still, this unit is more common than its little sister, the AV-50M portable unit that requires a hi-fi outboard processor similar to the Sony HFP Beta hi-fi processor. It appears the AV-50M is REAL rare; anyone reading this page owns one? Howard

To 'Madness' I've had good results with Radio Shack universal remotes - they have two separate codes for Sony Betas and since one won't work for a unit on the other code they're great for two Beta owners. I wore out my last Radio Shack remote and now I have the OEM remotes for all of the Betas I own. I would suspect that Sony's universal remotes would have the codes for Aiwa, what with Aiwa being a Sony subsidiary.

By the way I had some nice fun with my Porta-Beta outfit video-ing in old Colonial architecture. In fact two people paid me the highest compliment, asking; "What news channel are you working for?" and "Is this for the news?" Given that my equipment is older than most college sophomores it's high praise indeed.

I was using two NP-1 batteries but I only got 48 minutes of total recording time. Of course I was taping for about two and a half hours and I didn't power down much between shots so I'm sure that about what to expect - isn't it?

I aslo found that you can get the camera to see better if you use the manual iris setting to full open with the sensitivity switch on auto. This seems best used when taping buildings against the sky.

I also learned that there's a damned good reason people use palm-sized camcorders nowadays. Them 'portable's' is heavy and when you only have a single thin layer of shirt, the carry strap grinds right into your shoulder. Ouchie!

Howard, yes it is a nice little deck. The unthreading thing never bothers me. So it takes a few extra seconds to startup a movie (vs. my Sony's), no big deal to me. Would you say it's prolly the most compact non-portable beta?

Some of the extra features are rather neat, too. Small selection of onscreen prompts for things like transport functions; "end of tape" flashes onscreen after recording when tape runs out; 8-event onscreen timer program menu (very handy); nifty features like rewind/play -- press those buttons together if using an unrewound tape and it'll rewind to the beginning then start playback. Oh yes, and 3 heads, so stillframe is pretty decent.

A wild feature is how Aiwa compensated for lack of a real-time counter. According to the manual, the linear ("0000") counter should reach a value of approximately 10x the tape length used by the time it reaches the end in either record or playback. For example, if an L-500 is used, the counter will show "~5000"; if an L-750, "~7500", etc.

But, as for the AV-50M, I've never seen one (not even on eBay). Only saw the picture on Ray Glasser's website.

August 24,2001 7:43 P.M. est.

Madness; I'm not sure how usefull this bit of info is but I contacted my local cable company for codes that allowed their remote to operate my T.V.(SHARP). They had about 6 different codes from Sharp for this purpose. Assuming you do get a Radio Shack or other Universal Remote,you might contact your local cable Company and ask if they have any codes that would enable your remote to operate your BETA Unit. Best Wishes Al Smith.

I have a datacord betamax. Works fine and recently tapes wouldn't eject. I took it apart to find (for lack of batter technical terminolgy, I thap would ride its circular spindles and will not stay on the capsans and of course the magnetic heads. Once eject button is pushed, the tape gets mangled -- also the tape will come out with some un-threading. I would greatly appreciate some suggestions on asimple repair or where a part might be found. Thanks very much for any help I might receive. Russ Barnes

To Olive Thomas: Strangely enough, one of the remotes I tried was a Sony. It had only a few codes listed for Aiwa VCRs. Of course, it was a rather cheap one.

But RadioShack isn't a bad idea. That's one brand I didn't think to try (duh!). Any preference to which of their models I should get?

The one I'd used was from the late '80s/early '90s and when I went to get a replacement back in '98 the closeout one I got had and odd flaw in that you couldn't work the TV/VCR function - it also wouldn't work for another brand VCR I had but worked for a third. I took it back and bought a Sony RM-V22 and that's the universal I still use.

As for Radio Shacks now available, since it's almost time for the new catalog you're bound to get a good deal on closeouts. If you just want to control the VCR their $10 3 in 1 (15-1990) has the basic functions but no number pad. For $10 more you get the 4 in 1 with numberpad (15-1991). another $4 and you get a light up remote (15-1992)

If your Aiwa has advanced features or you want to control all your A/V goodies, models 15-1994 ($40) and 15-1995 ($70) are worth looking at.

You might also want to sniff around flea markets and/or repair shops for a bin of old remotes to paw through.

You're all very knowledgable about this, so I'm hoping you don't mind answering a basic question: I wanted to order some tapes on chimpanzee rescue at MonkeeWorld, but they say PAL format. I'm completely unfamiliar with this in the U.S.My husband has an old Sony Betamax SL HFR70 recorder with a hi-fi HFR200 processor. Will this play those tapes? We don't use it and I can't find any info. Appreciate the help. Thanks.

Debra,

Debra, sorry about that I hit the key. Anyway you will need a multisystem Beta vcr to view you Pal tapes. Other people will pipe in and tell you what sort of establiments might be able to help you on your problem. Madness there is a website out there that might have an Aiwa remote for your deck. Goto WWW.REPLACEMENTREMOTES.COM and goto the Aiwa section. Ya never know he might have one like yours or it is possible that another Aiwa remote will work on your system. His prices are reasonable, I have bought from him before. He also has a small section for universal remote codes. Otherwise my favorite brand of universal remotes is One For All. Right now I have a One For All Theatre 7. It works alot of the functions on my SLHF750 as well as 99% of the functions on my "C" Band Satillite system. I also have a OFA 5 that works on any IR Beta I've tried since I had the remote. Low price and worth it. My 2 pence worth. Later. Pepse.

Name: R MartinEmail: [email protected] 23rd August 11:17 pm U.K. Time

Olive, ahem dasimpersonator. Everything you touch is defective, why send this one to someone who knows how to fix them? save a buck, do it yourself!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Charles JolyEmail: [email protected] 24th August 3:16 am U.K. Time

What ?!?!? Olive = DasImperator ????I thought the new nick name was Franny Wentzel. How many names do you go by ?? I knew there was something strange about going from "nobody ever heard from you" to several posts a day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: BeefJerkyEmail: [email protected] 24th August 3:46 am U.K. Time

Well, here's my vote, Olive is NOT DasImperator. Read back through the posts from Olive. She seems to know what she's talking about. Then compare that to some older posts from DasImperator. 'Nuff said

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Allan A. SmithEmail: [email protected] 24th August 5:05 am U.K. Time

August 23,2001 11:58 P.M. est.Olive; Just go on with whatever you are doing. Whatever it is willbe the right thing! Best wishes Al!

Nice to know that anyone with a broken Beta is mistaken for me. Screw it I'm chucking my beta crap and getting a palmcorder. I'm to old for this s***

To Debra - are the tape you want to get/use even Beta tapes? I'd be surprised if they were.

Aiwa makes a multisystem VHS VCR that would play PAL tapes - though I don't think the remote will work for Madness's Aiwa Beta...

Sanyo ntx 100 front loaderSony c20 new heads .. OffersLoads of tapes as well ...Nigel

Hi all, Just thought I would let you know that I am selling a Beta Camera BMC500p. This the top of range CCd model. The item is sold as described on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1267190514

Ps - I need an NP11 battery to test.

JUST IN CASE ALL OF YOU DON'T BELIEVE I AM THE BEST IN BETAMAX.

HERE IS A TESTIMONIAL AND REFERENCE I HAVE JUST RECEIVED PRAISING BOTH MY WORK AND THE ABILITY I HAVE TO FIND RARE PARTS. THIS WAS RECEIVED FROM STAN IN SCOTLAND Hello to all who read this. Yes I had a Sony SLC9 that was not feeling so well. A severe case of DC converter sickness. I took it to numerous so called medics but nobody could make it well and it got put into the attic to ferment. Then one day I was on the net and came across WWW.Betapals and found Lucreciagalaxy and in no time what so ever we were in touch and a cure was on the dispensing table. My unit was parcel posted (well insured as instructed) forthwith and once again I received rapid response. The C9 problems had been diagnosed and surgery to put right had been identified. All I had to do was submit the necessary from my "drink token" account and the C9 went under the knife. The treatment was not cheap but when born neither was the C9. So far the unit (patient) is responding to all commands and if all goes well has undergone a full reincarnation. No I am not in the medical profession, actualy I am a mechanical biased person. But to finish I must say well done lucrezia as all the credit goes to her. All the best and keep operating Stan ps ( note this is in lower case. Just a joke upper doesn't worry me as it does some people) LUCREZIA REMEBER MY PAGES ARE AT: http://members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html

Hi EveryoneJust a quick line to say that ive just put a large box of 50 used beta tapes on ebay at a low start price of just 10 poundsmike

Who wouldn't become an expert at repairing only one single model of machine ? Anyways, it's not a matter of not believing you are a C9 wizard, Lucrezia, it's more of actually caring about it.

Notice the singular 5-minute delay between latest Olive and DasImperator. Sounds strange to me. But I must admit not being really sure about this one as Olive sounds definately more knowledgeable than the other party.

Something to make you feel old...

Beloit College's Class of 2002 Mindset List1. The people starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1980.2. They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan era, and did not know he had ever been shot.3. They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged.4. Black Monday 1987 is as significant to them as the Great Depression.5. There has only been one Pope. They can only remember one other president.6. They were 11 when the Soviet Union broke apart, and do not remember the Cold War.7. They have never feared a nuclear war. "The Day After" is a pill to themÑnot a movie.8. They are too young to remember the Space Shuttle Challenger blowing up.9. Their lifetime has always included AIDS.10. They never had a polio shot, and likely, do not know what it is.11. Bottle caps have not always been screw off, but have always been plastic. They have no idea what a pull top can looks like.12. Atari pre-dates them, as do vinyl albums.13. The expression "you sound like a broken record" means nothing to them.14. They have never owned a record player.15. They have likely never played Pac Man, and have never heard of "Pong."16. Star Wars looks very fake to them, and the special effects are pathetic.17. There have always been red M&M's, and blue ones are not new. What do you mean there used to be beige ones?18. They may never have heard of an 8-track, and chances are they've never heard or seen one.19. The compact disc was introduced when they were one year old.20. As far as they know, stamps have always cost about 32 cents.21. They have always had an answering machine.22. Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels, nor have they seen a black & white TV.23. They have always had cable.

24. There have always been VCR's, but they have no idea what Beta is.

25. They cannot fathom what it was like not having a remote control.26. They were born the year Walkmen were introduced by Sony.27. Roller-skating has always meant in-line for them.28. "The Tonight Show" has always been with Jay Leno.29. They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans were cool. 30. Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.31. They have never seen Larry Bird play, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a football player.32. They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.33. The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them as WWI and WWII or even the Civil War.34. They have no idea that Americans were ever held hostage in Iran.35. They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.36. They don't know who Mork was, or where he was from.37. They never heard the terms "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" or "De plane, de plane!"38. They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. is.39. The Titanic was found? I thought we always knew where it was.40. Michael Jackson has always been white.41. Kansas, Boston, Chicago, America, and Alabama are all placesÑnot music groups.42. McDonalds never came in Styrofoam containers.43. There has always been MTV, and it has always included non-musical shows. [Mindset Home] [Beloit College] [Search] [Email]

Hi folks, What are PAL tapes and what do you play them on?

Hi,

My recently deceased father was a keen video fan and had various Beta recorders and almost 100 Beta tapes. The only remaining machine is a SL HF100 UB and is in mint condition. He had a BetaMovie Camcorder at one stage (long since gone) and many of the tapes were recorded in that rather than the VCR. He was converted to VHS and the Beta recorder is thus not overused. Is there anybody who would be interested in purchasing the recorder and/or some or all of the tapes? If so please email me at [email protected]. I will be away for two weeks from Saturday so apologies in advance for not replying straight away.

Regards,Chris

To Debra King - PAL is not so much a tape but a broadcast format. PAL broadcasts a signal with 625 lines of resolution at 25 "frames" where each frames is split into two 312 1/2 line "fields" per second. This is done in Europe and most other countries where electrical power is generated at 50 cycles per second. In the Americas and Japan power is generated at 60 cycles per second so the broadcast signal consists of 525 lines of resolution at 30 frames per second.

I am looking for a place to off load my pre-recorded tapes (only a handful of classics). Also have many tapes which can be degaussed and reused that I would like to recycle. Any ideas?

Hey Olive,good luck with your new theatre,you deserve it.

Hello, I am looking for a new or very close to new video deck that will play Beta tapes and has RCA-outs. My company has a client who insists on supplying beta tapes, and we need a deck that will attach to our video card to digitize the video. Thanks for any help!

Could anyone tell me beta tapes first come out on the market for rentals,I have a bet with a couple of co-workers Thanks!

To Ben - just checking but is that client providing Betacam tapes or Betamax tapes? There is a difference...

At any rate E-bay ( http://www.ebay.com ) seems to be the one stop Beta shopping destination these days...

Hi Beta-FreaksI would like to have a Copy of the Operating Instruction of theSony SL 800 ME. Could someone help me, please?

FOR SALE: SONY BETAMAX CASSETTE RECORDER, MODEL SL-2401, front loader, video outs and audio outs, clock for setting clock, date month and time.

Interested parties please e-mail, asking $90.00 plus ups charges, located on east coast (USA)

JUST IN CASE ALL OF YOU DON'T BELIEVE I AM THE BEST IN BETAMAX.

HERE IS A TESTIMONIAL AND REFERENCE I HAVE JUST RECEIVED PRAISING BOTH MY WORK AND THE ABILITY I HAVE TO FIND RARE PARTS. THIS WAS RECEIVED FROM STAN IN SCOTLAND Hello to all who read this. Yes I had a Sony SLC9 that was not feeling so well. A severe case of DC converter sickness. I took it to numerous so called medics but nobody could make it well and it got put into the attic to ferment. Then one day I was on the net and came across WWW.Betapals and found Lucreciagalaxy and in no time what so ever we were in touch and a cure was on the dispensing table. My unit was parcel posted (well insured as instructed) forthwith and once again I received rapid response. The C9 problems had been diagnosed and surgery to put right had been identified. All I had to do was submit the necessary from my "drink token" account and the C9 went under the knife. The treatment was not cheap but when born neither was the C9. So far the unit (patient) is responding to all commands and if all goes well has undergone a full reincarnation. No I am not in the medical profession, actualy I am a mechanical biased person. But to finish I must say well done lucrezia as all the credit goes to her. All the best and keep operating Stan ps ( note this is in lower case. Just a joke upper doesn't worry me as it does some people) LUCREZIA REMEBER MY PAGES ARE AT: http://members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html

I'm still looking for ac pack for an aiwa 50m or batteries for it. I am now looking for a remote for a sony sl-hf360. any help appreciated.

WANTED: PAL Betamax VCR in good working condition in London. Must be PAL format. If you desire to sell one this weekend, please contact me with offer.

I have a sanyo betamax machine that is taking up to much space does anyone want to make me an offer it is in good working condition.

I don't care if this Lucrezia is a blind woman. Her head is up her own butt!

Just because Beta is a better format doesn't mean we have to get 'upstage' with one another. Lifes too short and fate to funny for that sort of thing. As Bill and Ted would say, "Be excellent to one another."

In other news, picked up a primo HVC 2500 autofocus video camera. It has 30 /35 lux capability and since there was some mild tube burn (it looks a little like lens reflections and it's only visible in low light) I was able to pick it up for a song. Replaces an HVC-2200 that died in the line of duty when I 'infiltrated' a press line in front of the courthouse as they were dragging some fellow off to jail. Some people just don't like the 'media'...

Lucrenzia.

I really do think you have gone too far now.

You had most of us almost in sympathy with your 'caps lock' affair and we, being a sociable lot, forgave you for your apparant 'arrogance' then. But to keep repeating the plaudits you gained from a single customer in order to push your name among what is really a friendly and co-operative forum is tantamount to offence.I am sure we will forgive you just this once more time if you quietly refrain from such blatant 'pubilicity stunts' in the future and use this forum as it was intended to be used for - for friendly exchanges of help and advice to all Betamax users.

Barry.

September 03,2001 5:50 P.M. est.

Lucrezia; I would suggest that one advertisement a week would make alot of people who use this site happy! Best Wishes Al Smith!

I own an old Sony TV which has a Multi-Connector input (see http://www.palsite.info/multicon.html). As it is supposidly the precursor to SCART, do adaptors exist between these two standards?

I've noticed something odd about my 'new' HVC-2500. Apart from a mild tube burn which I've noted before - and which doesn't seem to show as much as I'd thought there seems to be something like three darkish vertical lines running down the screen, looking sort of like what you'd get if you folded a picture in half and half again.For no good reason it's not visible if you've just brought the camera up on the TV to monitor. You can only see it after you play back the tape as recorded off my SL-2000.I did a test recording off of my HiFi Beta (HVC 2500 -> SL-2000 -> TT-2000 -> SL-HF 300) and there wasn't the interference pattern I described - so it seems to only be an 'issue' when the image is recorded on the SL-2000. The previous HVC-2200 camera never showed this problem so I'm mystified as to where to assign the fault or even whether this is some sort of 'known issue'. Any ideas?

Are all the NEC beta vcrs made by Sony and if so, how do they compare with Sony?

August 06,2001 12:23 A.M. est.

Olive; Your question reminded me of when I bought my 1st Sony Superbeta. I already had a Sanyo Superbeta which produced a strong signal super quality picture when played on a plain Sanyo Beta. When I made my 1st recordings on the Sony they looked great when I played them on either of my Sanyo or Sony Superbeta but I got a lousy wave interference pattern over the picture when I tried to play them on my nonsuperbeta Sanyos. After I read the Sony manual I stopped tearing my hair out because they said right there in the manual that their Superbetas did this when the recording was made with their superbeta system, and suggested turning off the Superbeta recording mode whilst recording if the recordings were intended for non-Superbeta machines(They didn't explain why you got the interference just that you would get it!). My point is differences in the recording abilities of you machines may in some way respond differently to the recording signal from the camera. I hope this helps!Best Wishes Al!

The HVC-2500 and SL-2000 are both NON Superbeta units as is my SL-HF 300 and this isn't so much an interference 'pattern' like you get playing HiFi tapes on a non-HiFi unit but something akin to a scratch line like you might see in film stock that's been in a camera or projector with some sort of burr or something...

I had a combination of Sony´s SL-F1 and a TT -F1. Unfortunately the TT -F1 burned of so my children are very unhappy that they can't seetheir old videos.My idea is though the AC -F1 stand alone powersupply isn´t available anymoreto build my own power supply. The question I have is: Does anybody knowhow the pins of the 5 pin connector have to be covered (Is that the rightword? I hope you know what I mean) 12V+, 12V-

Thanks for answering Marcus

to Marcus Boehlich. The PAL site has a reference page on the SL-F1 and it's pinouts at URL... http://www.palsite.info/slf1tech.html . Try checking there.

As for my SL-2000, It otherwise records fine. The HVC-2200 I used to have didn't give me any of the interference problems so it must be something the camera is doing that doesn't translate properly on my SL-2000

HI, I'M STILL HERE LUCREZIA AND I LIKE MY CAPITALS. REMEMBER THAT MY HOME PAGE IS http://members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html THANK YOU. LUCREZIA

Olive: there must be a problem somewhere in the recording section of the SL2000, but you obviously already tried recording off a TV signal and there was no problem, right ? I'm sure you also tried different tapes. Can the problem be seen on both machines when played back ? And does the one from the 300 play well on the 2000 too ?

Otherwise there are two possibilities. Either there is a problem where the signal between where the camera signal is ouptutted to RF and where it goes to recording (unlikely as the tuner signal from the TT2000 uses the same path), or there is a portion of the signal which only the SL2000 would use but not a TV or a SLHF300 (!) and that very portion of this signal is bad. Sort of a "macrovision" comportment. Wicked problem!

Can you send a capture of it ?

today was offered 180 tapes,toshiba v33 for $a80.00working condition.good deal?

As a last resort I tried tinkering with the internal workings of the camera to no avail. The interference thing still showed up. In fact when I was tinkering with the horizontal size settings the interference pattern stayed put even as the image size changed. I also took a closer look at the footage recorded with my old HVC 2200 and sure enough the interference pattern was just visible under certain conditions so I guess it is the fault of the SL-2000.

Which is something I can live with for now as I have other Beta camcorders that can do a more capable job than an HVC-2500/SL-2000 combo unit.

Sept. 07,2001 4:00 est.

Olive; I had 2 more ideas which may help if you havn't tried them yet may help. The 1st regards the camera signal output(?cable) from the camera to the input hookup on your 2000. I'm not familiar with 2000s' but most Beta units have 2 way to hook up either thru a cable input on the modulator or thru RCA or other input jacks (older units also have posts for hooking up antenna flat leads). You might try hookimg up the camera via the alternate hookup method(s), you may have to use a converter plug, and see if there is any difference it the interference. If there is chances are that the R.F. Modulator is causing the problem. If there is a improvement in the picture then your problem is solved. The 2nd idea was to try to record with the 2000 set to the "Line Level Signal" vs the VCR recording amplifier circuit and see if there is any improvement. If there is again your problem is solved. You may have already tried what I have suggested but if you havn't it may be worth it to do so! Best! Al.

The problem only seems to arise with the camera connected via the K-connector. The SL-2000 is a portable unit that can be hooked up to a tuner module with a multi-connector and used as a TV-top unit.

The interference pattern shows up only after having recorded to tape from the camera. It consists of three greyish lines running verticaly down the screen deviding the screen into three equal parts. It is permanently recorded onto the tape and is present when recorded in the BII and BIII speed.

If you've noted the monitored image of an HVC camera (before put on tape) you'll note that there are black scan lines running across the screen because the camera doesn't scan all 525 lines and Sony knows that they'll be gone when recorded on tape. Perhaps the 'compression' process isn't going well.

September 08,2001 3:15 A.M. est.

Olive ; How about this idea! Borrow,rent, or buy a video stabilizer unit. They are illegal in the u.s. because they are used to remove Macrovision and other interference signals on commercial tapes. They are quite legal in CANADA(just across the river from Detroit) so there are quite a few around! I don't know if they are available in the U.K. but if you can get one it can enhance good recordings and delete unwanted signals. They also come in very usefull for tasks besides the problem you are currently concerned about also! Best Wishes! Al.

Hi folks,

can someone please explain the difference between the SL-C9E and the SL-C9ES. I'm going to order a service manual and there are both versions offered.

Thanks a lot

Gerhard

Hmm... thats a good question...I´ve got a SL-C9E and i live in Denmark... I dont know about the SL-C9ES, it might have an extra feature... Or maybe there are no difference about these 2 "models"

regards

Emil jensen

My late father owned 2 Sony c7 video recorders and approx 100 tapes(a few new and still celophane wrapped).Would like to sell to a loving home. Tapes mainly contain classic films which were a hobby of my fathers.

Sensible offers please to above email address or telehone 01279 850594.

To Allan Smith

A video clarifier would most likely be useless as the fault is somewhere between the K-connector (camera input) and the recording circuitry. There simply isn't a place for the clarifier to go. Also this problem doen't arise with tapes recorded with the tuner or line in circuits so it is clearly a camera signal interpretation problem.

I tried to get a frame grab of the problem but it doesn't show up well/at all on my computer in still frames...

To Emil- The different C-9 designations and for that matter other Sony PAL Betamaxes refer to the tuner that is built in since they use different frequencies on the contentent and in Austrlai than they do in the UK, the rest of the inards should be the same.

Debra, PAL is one of the two european colour systems. It is technologically advanced compared to NTSC (American system).It should also be noted that PAL format usually is actually refering to CCIR, not the PAL part. In almost all countries a PAL signal is in CCIR (50hz, 625 lines) unlike the american system (60hz, 525 lines).Basically, getting all of that technobabble out of the way, PAL tapes play on european machines and NTSC tapes play on American machines. There are some machines which are dual system although i don't think any beta systems were capable of this.

It should be noted that if you want to buy a PAL machine you must check your TV can recieve Pal signals, so you connect it via the composite video ports. AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TV ARE ON DIFFERENT FREQuences so RF won't Work!!!The power supply isn't always something to worry about. I know for a fact that on the C5 betamaxes there is a voltage switch that allows for american voltage. Also it accepst the same AC as the USA uses so this machine is probably your best option.

If you want a european machine you gotta remember that you won't be able to record normal NTSC channels (eg. pbs, nbc, fox) or anything that outputs the 525/60/NTSC american signal, only european signal stuff, could be handy if you like satelite TV!

I hope this answers your question!

To Mike Graham - A correction, Sony made several Multi-System Betamaxes. Look for the ME (Middle East) suffix as in SL-50ME. Because in the Middle Eastern region several TV systems were used Sony put out quite a few multi-system compatible Betamaxes, some SuperBetas but no HiFi units. They were compatible with NTSC, PAL, and the French SECAM system.They occasionally make the rounds of E-bay.

To Alan Morton and Emil Jensen. Alan you have generaly right aboutthe C-9 designations. but not about the different in C-9e and C-9es.The different are this?. C-9es have a stereo/bilingual tuner "only the old germany a2 system"no nicam. the same stereo system asC-40es,C-6es yes and also sonybetas hi-fi units. Hope this helps.Regards Jan H.Pedersen

Alrighty then I am now In canada and am Enjoying myself here no sigh of the Beta yet but radioshack (Tandy) does selling L750 Beta tapes but at $9.99????Very Humid weather here but the BMC-100p copied well I sent it home cos I was worried that the weather may shorten it's life!Been up CN tower In toronto earlier today Specatular view!Gotta go:-)

haw do i make an fm antenna,

toast asks "how do I make an FM antenna?"

Get it good and drunk first...

Been to a Flea Market today load 'n' loads of heaven stuff etc...Bought a Toshiba VM-41c Betamax VCR with some tape and a Prerecorded 'Flash Gordon' tape (Cool) but capstan belt has gone anyone know where I can get a good one or what so ever pls It been very humid today..:-)

A good VCR or electronics store ought to have a replacement belt kit that matches your new Toshiba.

I had one of those for a little while but I sold it off when I didn't need it anymore. Paid $15 for it, sold it for $100 so I came out ahead for once...

Sept. 09,2001 8:21 est.

I've wanted to do this for a long time so here goes;

"ON THE POSSIBLE FUTURE OF BETA,VHS, AND OTHER VIDEOTAPE FORMATS, CURRENT TRENDS AND POSSIBLE FUTURES" (COMMENTS WELCOMED)

Several relatively recent developments and a personal observation have been making me think of the future of BETA and Videotape formats in general. The personal observation is that in the last year at least 6 Video Repair shops in the Detroit Area have shut down most have been around for years and one had 3 outlets. Recent developments in video recording i.e. Cheap DVDs', Optical Tech Video Recording devices, HD T.V., and Computer software for Commercial videoplay and Teleconferencing, have led me to some conclusions which I'll take feedback on from anyone willing to comment.

Conclusion #1 In 10 years 95% of our members with functional Betasnot be able to use their machines because of a lack of functional videotape due wear and bacterial destruction over the 10 year period(only those who use a advance preservation technique such as vacuum sealing)will have usable tape unless tape designed for other formats can be adapted to Beta. Currently the only manufacturer making fresh tape is Sony but they only wholesale them to Radio Shack. I think in 10 years this source will dry up. I think the same thing will happen within 20 years to other Videotape formats so that anyone with a functional Beta and good tape at that time will have an extremely valuable antique. The personal observation leads me to the questions-Are large numbers of repair shops closing down in other parts of the world? If so is it a trend that is going to continue in the future? I think the development of cheap disposable VHS and DVD players plus the development of software that allows computers to play commercial and other video formats has doomed the videotape format within the next 20 years. I'll have more to say in the future but first I hope for some feedback any is welcome on this subject! Sincerly Al Smith

Have currently for sale in qld australia,toshiba v33 pal cw remote,in going order,runs ok.asking A$100.00

I'm looking for working or not working SLF C25 , 30 or 40 Beta viewo recorders. I'm especially interested in the SLF9 so if anybody has got any of them in a working or non-working state please contact me!!

Also if anybody has got a toothed cassette loader mechanism driveband for a SLF25 or 30 I will pay good money for it!

ThanksGrahamSurrey Docks, London, UK0207 252 0839

To Graham - I have several of those toothed cassette loader bands. I can just send one to you no charge. Is that your correct address?

I have 18 cases of unopened Sony L500 Betamax videocassettes, and wouldbe interested in making a good deal on the lot. The tape has been storedin an airconditioned and humidty-controlled environment.

Lewis Kruger asks - I just bought a Sony Beta SL-2300 for $10.00 at Savers!!! I do not know anything about this model. If anyone has information or can send me to a site/person that does, please do so>>>

The Sl-2300 was part of the 'slimline' series of Sony Betamaxes built around '82-'83. The 2300 was the 'starter' model of the series (SL-2300, 2400, 2401 and a bunch of sub-numbers. The series also included a piar of 'talking' Betamaxes that used a voice synthesizer for errror/instruction prompts - not the 2300. It used a wired remote, which makes it handy if you have a second wireless Sony unit. After trying different systems Sony finally settled on a pendulum idler drive system for the majority of Beta VCRs after this one so spares are fairly available. Also since they were made almost entirely of high-grade steel and the only belt used was for the ejector mechanism these were as reliable a VCR as they come. VHS machines to this day still use a belt for their drive system. You did however have to settle for a lackluster tuner with only 14 presets (not sure if the 2300 was cable-ready) and Sony had yet to use RCA jacks for the audio in/outs. Sony also OEM'd a similar model for Zenith.

These were very basic machines but if all you want is to play some old tapes and you don't have a need for HiFi they were fairly decent. A year or two later Sony came out with the 'EZ beta' line (SL-10, 20 , 30, 60, 90) incorporating the simple design of the 23/2400 series but used all electronic tuners (some still had only 14 preset) and in the SL-HFR series (SL-HFR 30, 60, 70, 90) the option of adding an outboard processor to make them HiFi units.

Ray Glasser's excellent site at http://www.geocities.com/videoholic2000/index.html will give you better info than I can.

PLEASE I NEED NEW VIDEO HEAD FOR SONY MODEL SUPER BETAMAX SL-800ME

I just bought a Sony Beta SL-2300 for $10.00 at Savers!!! I do not know anything about this model. If anyone has information or can send me to a site/person that does, please do so. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sept. 11,2001 12:23 P.M.est.

It was probably the Palestenians! Its' their style Al!

Yes it is devasting My sister's flight is cancelled and she cannot go home until further notice....

To Everyone,

On these pages you do not see a person's religion or colour.

Don't confuse the acts of mad fundamentalists, who decide to use their religion as an excuse for terrible actions.I think we are on dangerous ground here if we label all muslims as militant.The great majority as with all religious followers are peaceful people and I'm sure they are as saddened by todays events as you or I .

Hate breeds hate which leads us nowhere.

I quite agree......

september 11,2001 11 :30 P.M. est.

To Adam; What you say is true and easy to until you lose a wife or a child! It been estimated that thousands have died! They and their loved ones will demand Justice! Allan A. Smith

I was driving home yesterday when I heard about the tragedy ... It seems that these f****** fundamentalists have begun the war against all the civilized world. I am not sure does anybody of you who is going to read this remember what happened here in Baltic states 10 and half years ago but yesterday I had the same feeling as on the morning of January 13th 1991 when I woke up and heard on radio that Soviet troops had stormed TV station in Vilnius (capitol city of Lithuania that was a part of USSR that time). As it was said by one of our Latvian writers (female one) "Futher the world won't be the same ...". A week later almost the same happened here in Riga (capitol city of Latvia). Russian special forces attacked the Police headquarters (in fact it has another name but at the moment I can't remember the exact one). Speaking about terorism I have come to conclusion that it is not a matter of any ideas or colour of your skin. Just take a look at IRA colaboration with left extremals in Columbia. I know that it is not good to separate people according to their colour or religion but I have to agree Olive. Maybe somewhere deep within everyone of us is a little racist. To avoid this you have to grow up in a very multinational society but that was not my case. West Europe and other world do not know how it is if your native language is considered as something not worth. If it interest you I can explain it another time. Aivars Migla, Riga, Latvia. P.S. I am 43 years old so I know what was Afghanistan and Gulf War. P.P.S. I hope that after this I won't become 'persona non grata' for this page.

Right now I'm feeding tapes to my SL-HF 300 every four and a half hours so I can keep a record of this for the time these tapes last. I feel like Herb Morrison at Lakehurst, New Jersey 1937...

I'm sick to death like I've never been sick before...

September 12,2001 3:06 est.

My youngest cousin who lives in NYC was missing for almost 12 hours until he was able to contact my family! I have watched Yassir Arafats face when He tried to deny involvement . I think he is a liar! As far as Religion particularly Fundamentalism being a civilizing influence on Mankind is concerned, the list of atrocities performed in the name of G-d from the Worship of the murderess Goddess Kali of Hinduism, to the Spanish Inquisition by Catholics, to the slaughter of the innocents by Muslims during the crusades and in modern times the Kurds in Iraq and the Jews in Isreal leads to the inescapable conclusion that like almost everything man is concerned with Religion has its good and evil aspects! For myself I am a Jew and today I have finally come to conclusion that it is Islam religion and not the Arab people that is truly EVIL. I remember the "Master Race" and the Holocaust and I will never forgive nor forget. Allan A. Smith!

I apologize but I had to say this because I belive that for the sake of Humanity decent people must feel what I feel about this Act of Atrocity!

I do not have a religion myself.

Allan I wish is could say I empathise with your pain .But I can't, it must awful.

No religion is evil, only the people who abuse that religion or its beliefs.

Many religions have been said to be EVIL.And many things have been done to the followers of those religions.But it takes us nowhere.

Do we want another holocaust?

Please do not take that as me being melodramatic.This is a terrible situation.

Peace.

I've been watching the TV pictures of the Twin Towers Massacre from London, UK. I was in the Canary Wharf Tower when the IRA bombed it. I have the utmost sympathy with the victims and the people who are left to pick up the pieces. I can understand the shock/denail/anger that will be starting to set in.

More harm, killing and damage has been done in the name of religion than any other driving force in human history. Christians, islamics, hindus, buddhists have all sung the same battle cry to try to protect their religion. These people who do take this type of action and can kill tens of thousands of people in the name of their religion are not worthy of life themselves. I am not religious in any shape or form but I do know that religion is a tool created by man to try to bring people together, NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER!!Any god that condones slaughter in it name is a man-made god and not worthy of any respect.

If the US takes the wrong path now the Middle east countries will retailiate and shut down all oil exports and bring the entire world to its knees. Who would be in control then? Not the US, UK or europe but the countries.

In my view the best path forward for the US is not to attack any countries but to attack the militants who have cause these unimaginable acts of terror. Attack the leaders of these extreme religious groups. Not only attack them by millitary force but by economic force as well.

Graham

I am planning to procure a SL-C9E in good condition. How much should I shell out? British Pound..US Dollar..Please Help..

Best Regards,Milindo

Hmm Those Idiotics which attacked america should die a slow and painful death or whatsoever... but to be honest I don't want any more wars but those others which killed these innocent people must be punished...

Why oh why do these people want to powerful... answer to those I'll never know...

No Offence but can we change the subject.. after all this is a page about betamax

September 12,2001 4:03 P.M. est.

CNN announced today that there were so many dead bodies at the WTC that they had to load them onto Barges to be buried in New Jersey!

A.S.

September 13,2001

Its time to get on with life and use this board for its intended purpose! A.S.

And the yanks criticised Australia for stopping illegal arabs into our country!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello all again, I have received several offers from people who have seen my message previous (copied below). I am wondering about the quality of a Sony SL-340 for $300, in "like new" condition, according to the person offering it. If anyone has advice, please let me know. Thank you again.

September 13,2001 2:40 P.M. est/

Ben; "Like New" can mean several different things but generally that it has been reconditioned or rebuilt!(It could also mean it "looks like new" and/or "plays like new-everything works well") What I would do is if I was serious about buying the unit to talk to the seller about setting up a escrow account (they have this service at all banks and on Ebay where you would deposit the money for the unit and they will keep it until you are satisfied that you are getting your moneys worth! Obviously the seller must give his consent but generally is not a problem. Best Wishes and Good Luck! Al Smith.