According to the Home stead prvider I can't have two webpages uner their new system unless I pay them. I e-mailed the CEO before I wrote this message,But if you would like to join my protest for shutting the site currently carrying the message borad Just e-mail Justin KitchCEO at this adress [email protected] Tell him you want Betaphile to stay online! Meantime I'll be looking for another service provider for forum suggestions are appriciated. Thank you A. Choate :(

About that VTC-M30. The American equivelent of that is the VCR-4670. A nice four head unit, but the US version wasn't a HiFi and didn't have the tape motion indicator as on the PAL unit.

I used one (belonging to an instructor) to transfer Beta recordings to VHS for editing purposes while in video production class. The pause on those sometimes went into slo-mo on it's own and it would 'race' for a second if you got a bad bit of control track.

Greetings! I came across your site through a search. Two weeks ago, I acquired two Sony EDW-30F Pro EDBeta VTRs. They were used in an editing suite @ my place of employment; a video production, editing and duplicating house. Since we're moving steadily toward DV(Cam), alot of our old equipment (mostly Open-Reel, Umatic and Betacam VTRs) was being sold. But I caught the two beta's and took them home for a song!

So, further searching took me to a rather excellent site called the "Ultimate Betamax Information Guide." This whopper was full of great info on beta in general. I learned that my machines had a consumer equivelent (EDV-9500) and cost a whopping 3300 US$! However, unlike that one, my EDW-30F's are clearly designed to be rack mounted (though they were never used in that way).

I figured I'd share a bit of this info since I found that there was still a bit of a betamax community on the 'net! I do still have an older deck (SL-HF870D) which I stashed in my closet about 10 years ago after copying my tapestock to VHS. But these EDBeta's have rekindled my interest.

I really wanted to know if it's still possible to buy EDBeta blanks? I received about a dozen bulk-erased EDBeta Metal L-500 blanks from work, but would like to get loads more. It took only a few movies recorded off satellite (via the S-video's) to impress me w/ video and sound (I'm guessing it even blows away my top-of-line S-VHS editing VTRs!)! Setup is a Sony DirecTV -> EDW-30F -> 36" Vega TV. All I can say is, "Wow!" And BTW: Can I go DVD -> EDBeta? I also have a Sony ES progressive scan DVD.

Please drop me some further info! -- Renton

WHY IMPORT FROM JAPAN WHEN I CAN SELL YOU A LIKE NEW SONY C9 !!! HERE IS A SECOND TESTIMONIAL. From: john pike

After a lot of years sterling service my Sony C,9 gave up the "Ghost" in a big way. The PSU, including the DC/DC Converter was u/s. "Sony don't make that part any longer ".I was told by my Sony Parts Center. Eventually I gave up looking for that elusive part. "Was I the only Beta user around here?". I thought. It seemed like it The trusty old C.9 was put on the bottom shelf, where it gathered dust, for many a year. That is until recently I ,quite by chance came across the "Beta Palsite" in a magazine Reading through the emails I came across the "Advert " for Lucreziagalaxy With high hopes of seeing my C.9 back in action again I contacted this." Help Line". telling my tale of woe. Having been convinced by a quick reply to my request, that a repair was definitely on the cards, I sent my C.9 away, insured against damage as advised, for a report on its condition. Within a couple of days of its arrival, I received a detailed report of the faults found, the parts required, and the estimate for the lot. It did not appear cheap at first. ,but considering the availability of the parts for a C.9, the equipment and expertise required to fit and test them, it seemed to me pretty reasonable. So I went ahead with the repairs. I was kept informed all the way through the "restoration", until ,the day arrived, when I was informed that after a long Test program my C.9 was ready for home. My first impressions of the restoration? Its works like a dream. The picture on Pause and X 2 are marvelous. Why buy a DVD for picture quality, when with Beta Sony C.9 and a" Diggie". Box you can get a Better deal. It is a machine in its own class, I have insured it separately under my House Contents Insurance, after receiving a report of its market value. Thank you Lucreziagalaxy for a 1st Class Job.& Many Thanks for all Your Help and Sound Advice . The cost was worth every penny. If any one out there has problems with their C.9,do what I d ,consult the" Experts." They are only an email away. John. REMEMBER MY WEBPAGES AT http://members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html

October 07,2001 6:09 P.M. est.

To; A.Choate- I thought of 2 large websites both I think are free in terms of setting up your own web page. They are http://www.yahoo.com and http://www.ezboard.com. I have visited both sites in the past and recall that both were available in North America and Europe and had thousands of free individually set up websites,webrings,chatpages and that in which I believe you could set up your own! I know Yahoo has a couple of Betamax sites so I didn't check it today! But I tried and was able to check out http://www.ezboard.com and I found their variety impressive plus the facts that they reach the U.K. and have no Beta Site(as far as I was able to tell),are easy to log onto, offer free chatpages & websites, plus offering free technical help enticing!! I routinely use the Science Fiction chat pages on ezboard. I hope this helps! Best Wishes; Al Smith

P.S. Would you tell me what ); means?

Does anybody know if, when you copy a Macrovision protected VHS tape to beta, the Macrovision data is copied along with it? If you were to copy the Beta copy to VHS would the Macrovision signal rear it's ugly head? Or does transfering to Beta remove the Macrovision?

October 08, 2001 12:35 A.M. est.

Olive; Its my opine that artificial interference patterns on VHS tapes do copy to Beta but often DO NOT SHOW when played ! However if you copy back to VHS you will see the pattern(s) again! Naturally I could never copy a copyrighted tape. Best Al!

Hi,I am looking for a Betamax VCR to transfer some old family beta tapes onto VHS. I live in Sydney, Australia.Steve

Well I know that you can record the close captioning signals and have them play through your beta but is Macrovision such a signal or is it the way the AGC signal is recorded to VHS that is 'translated' to a beta signal?

Any thoughs out there?

October 07,2001 2;55 A.M. est.

My guess is that the Macrovision signal is piggy backed on the video signal but that the Beta playback circuit most likely doesn't detect it (or ignores it!) whilst the VHS playback circuit picks it up. Al!

Oct. 07, 2001 3:05 A.M. est.

Like a FM audio signal but on a frequency undetectable by Beta! Close captions operate usually in a detectable frequency for the Beta playback circuit. A

To Renton: Betacam SP metal tapes (small) are the equivelant tape for use in ED Beta decks.

Re: ED Beta. I have been copying DVDs with great results for a year or so on the EDV-7500. For blanks I've bought many "one pass" BC 20s and 30s for $2-3 each from ebay, though I have to admit some have a fair number of dropouts. New ED500s were in Tower Records as of a few months ago. For "evaluated" tapes, Carpel Video, http://www.carpelvideo.com is a source at $6 to $8 ea.

Unfortunately, when you try to copy back to VHS from Beta (after making a copy of a macro-encoded film) the dreaded bright and dark reappears. You don't even have to make the recording! Simply 'looping through' a VHS deck on the video connections highlights the macrovision.

Now, I have a question, and I know it's nothing to do with Beta, but it is to do with electronics. I have a technics SL1210 turntable (one of two) that has gone 'off its head' shall we say! When you press the start button, it simply keeps on getting faster and faster until it simply can't rotate any faster (must be about 500-600rpm)! and before anyone simply says adjust the motor speed, it's not that easy. The design is not straightforward, and used Technics bespoke I.C.s, and an integral fixed rotor coils/rotating platter magnet motor - Please, only give comment if you know exactly what the solution is to this. I'm hopeing there's an electronics expert out there who's worked on these decks and come across this problem. The decks still have a second hand resale value of about 300 quid, and Panasonic were as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike - but then, they did opt for following the VHS format, so no supprise there eh?

Back to beta, and does anyone know how to fix the head motors of the C20 / C30 / HF100 range when they don't spin, only this time, it's not the glue problem on the hall effect sensor. The drum is held firm and just gives a slight wobble from ACW to CW when power is applied, then sits there for 2 or 3 seconds until the safety kicks in, and the transport stops. If I can get this sorted, there'll be a SL-F30 in mint condition with original 'It's a Sony' stickers up for sale!

To stewart, your're right. It appears that Palsite, or whoever submitted the info on the sanyo M30, has got it wrong. It doesn't have HiFi sound, just standard mono. It has no dubbing facilities, that I recall, and the description of the 3 heads is wrong. 3 head machines have the third head (and 4th in 4 head ones) for 'trick' play features. The trick head is mounted extremely close to the normal head, and is at the same azimuth as it's partner, 180degrees round the other side of the drum, thus, when pause or slow modes are used, the two heads read the same track at the same angle, the normal head is 'switched out'. This also explains why still pictures sometimes appear to be less sharp in still than playback, it's beacuse you've reduced the resolution down to 312.5 lines (for PAL), and the same single track is being used to build a full 625 line picture. Finally, you can set 8 programs to record, not 3!!

I was going to submit some info on this model, but never got round to it!

Olive & Others: Yes, thanks for the info on Beta SP's. I just didn't think of that (duh!). There must be tons of one- or two-pass SP's to be had for cheap or free @ work!

To Steve Whelan: What's the condition of your SLF -30 's timing oscillator crystal? If that is broken or broken off, the head unit won't spin or will race erratically depending on mode and extent of damage. Luckily it's an available stock part at any well stocked electronics place. Or you can scavange one from another Sony.

Otherwise the head unit's rotor coils have probably burnt out or the head's control IC is dead or damaged.

I have just found some old betamax tapes in a box in storage. Is there anyway to convert these tapes to vcr so that we can reaccess our memories?

To Elizabeth: You'll need to get hold of a Beta format VCR to playback your stash of tapes. There is no - repeat no - adapter for playing a Beta tape on a VHS VCR.

Hoping this post bumps you-know-who off the first post slot...

Darn, it didn't...

October 09,2001 2:22 A.M. est.

Elizabeth- look thru the Yellow Pages for a Video Rental shop that specializes in Foreign Language Videos for example Russian they often offer Beta to VHS format conversion services for a fee!

I heard that the Terrorists that blew up the WTC can't understand why they are in Hell instead of Paradise and being attended by beautiful female love slaves! Al

Actually a better bet would be to look for a video duplication service like the kind that advertise that they put old movies on videotape. A lot of them will also do beta transfers.

However if you have a lot of tapes like more than 20 or 30 you might consider it worth your while to get hold of a simple betamax VCR from one of the online classifieds or from E-bay for dubbing yourself or to be able to watch the originals.

Since dubbing tapes inevitably degrades the picture with each 'generation', keeping the ability to play the original source tapes is a good idea in the long term. Assuming the tapes weren't HiFi recordings an SL-10, 20 or 30 or an SL 2300 or 2400 are your best bets for good durable mono units that incedentally go fairly cheaply on E-bay. Sanyo units also go pretty cheap and work reasonably well but they're best for people willing to take the time and trouble to work on them to get them running properly. But I digress...

By the way, Radio Shack still sells beta tapes and bulk lots are plentiful on E-bay, if you should ever decide to take up recording new stuff on Beta.

I have a Sony beta hi-fi that has bad rca connectors on the back, the audio turns on and off on the left channel and the video does the same thing, I can get them to stay on if I hold them in one place. Is there a way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

to olive: re the sl-f30: everything else in the machine is fine, it works well with a complete drum from another machine (that is not spare by the way - otherwise of course I'd use it!) I'm taking it to be that the IC on the small PCB between the lower drum asy and the rotor coils has given up. I checked the caps and the transistors on that PCB and they're all OK - do you know if this is a common fault, or just another mad oddment like the fault with the 1210 that no-one seems to have experienced before?

PS shame a certain person beat you to the answer to the age old question (few posts above) with their usual daft response...

For Sale: Owner's manual for SLHF-750 Beta HiFi VCR. $5 incl. S/H in U.S.A.

Al Choate, being that I have a GCS1, don't have AF, instead Sony gave the GCS1 an electronic view finder. As for different lenses I took the camera to a friend that knows a fair amount about 35mm SLR cameras and he took a standard screw on lens and it is too small to fit the Beta. He said standard screw on lens are around 40mm to 45mm, the Beta apparently needs 55mm to 60mm. So, once I get a few pence ahead I will go to Ebay or something like that and try to find the bigger lens's. Later. Pepse.

To Steve: I take it you also tried swapping drums to the other Beta and found that it's still a no go. If so, it's very likely that the copper coiling on the drum unit had somehow overheated, melting the coil wire insulation and thus shorted out. That and drum IC failure are the most likely suspects.

I'd had a capstan drive on an otherwise perfectly good Sanyo Beta crap out like that so I know it can happen. Since I didn't have a spare I ended up scrapping it to upgrade another working Sanyo from a two-tire to a tire and gear idler system. That worked for three years or so till I swapped it for a big-ass box of tapes - as it had become redundant by then.

Re: Betamax Tapes Though I've rarely ever posted on this board; as a Betamax owner(GCS-50 & SL-HFR70+HFP -200 ) I enjoy reading the postings of otherBeta owners. I'm also the owner of a twelve year old video editingand duplication company in Portland, OR. My firm edits, dubs, and duplicates in a wide variety of videotapeformats both digital and analog. And since no one videotape distributor has everything we need; we buy from several of the largest firms on the west coast. In the past few weeks I've noticedthat all of our suppliers have run out of blank Betamax tapes. Andperhaps of greater importance - are no longer able to get them fromSony! So I would suggest to all that if you have the chance to buy anyfresh Betamax tapes you do so NOW! Apparently Sony is no longer shipping to any of their U.S. distributors.

To Dave:

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Oct. 10,2001 11:40 P.M. est.

So I'm wacko Eh! Steve - then I'm in good company with you!

Dave; What about Radio Schack? Al Smith

Ooh, cutting remarks from big Al. Have you tried looking up someone who does russian language conversions? or would maybe looking for video duplication be easier, as Olive suggested? It's a case of not thinking or reading back what you've written before posting, that makes people think these things. Some things you suggest are very plausable, and valued advice, but others are downright odd.

I don't profess to be a know it all on every fault - Man I've never even bought a service manual! I can't justify spending the money when people don't seem prepared to spend more than 25 quid for a basic beta these days - and then they expect it to be 100% reliable and last the next 5 years - which I suppose it might, but last nigth I set up a Sanyo M30 which has not been used for about 6 months, and it wouldn't play properly, the back tension has somehow gone wrong - yet it's been stored in perfectly good conditions. It took an hour to sort it - God, I hate Sanyo machines.

Moan over!! [It's a bad day at work!!]

Hello. I know you chaps get asked this question a lot, but anyof the UK Beta people got a Spare basic, working Beta machine?,I'm not looking for perfection, maybe a old top loader totransfer to VHS, i can pay up to £25-£35 for a averagely nice one.Or maybe i'm just dreaming......

Any info appreciated,Louis:-)

October 11,2001 10:53 P.M. est.

Olive; Would you mind if I sent you a private communication from time to time? Al Smith

To Alan: Well the fine folks at Gurlmail are shutting down. Seems nobody but E-bay and the various pornsites are a money making prospect on the internet.

All the free picture hosing site are turning into paysites or going under or both...

Damn, I keep losing accounts right and left.

esting

October 12,2001 3:22 P.M. est

Olive; Funny that you should mention online picture services! I just hooked up my new HP Scanner with free share to web picture and netdocument services. I wanted to test it by hooking up with a Beta person and offering to send them portions of one of my Sanyo Beta Service Manuals and I thought you might be interested and worthy considering that you have helped alot of people on this website! I wouldnt consider anyone else easily and would need some confirmation on private Email that the recieved copies were legible! Send me a private Email if you are interested! Best! Al Smith

well then you'll have till November before Gurlmail cuts off.

I have a Sony C9 batamax machine whose front loading bay mechannism has become misaligned. I made the mistake of forcing a tape out of it and now it will neither accept nor eject tapes. What can I do when I have over 100 betamax films and no machine to play them on. Does anyone know where I can buy a new one.

EamonnLondon. United Kingdom

Hello, ihave a sony c7 that works fine,playback sound is normalwith pre recorded tapes and picture is good but it is when i do a recording playback picture is good but sound is a lot quieter,just about able to hear it if i turn my tv up when i play it back.Any ideas as to how i might fix this ,thanks Graham.

to Eamonn Naraine:

Ouchie! I suppose you'll have to send that one to Lucrezia's repair shop as she seems to have made restoring SL-C9s her lifes work.

If it's not already tattooed to the insides of your eyelids, her web page is at http://members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html and her E-mail is [email protected]

Let's hope this cuts another pesty Lucrezia ad at the pass...

Oy vey, I know I'm gonna regret this post...

Hey, does anyone have any good information or sites on the SL-5200 beta deck? I've acquired 3 more of these from an estate sale (for a total of 4!). 2 of these new 1's seem to play & record fine, but the 3rd one won't accept a tape. It takes the tape in then spits it right back out again after a few seconds. What I was looking for might be service manuals (say in pdf format) or any info about the loading system.

I'm familiar with Sony's SL-5xxx chassis and the reason it's spitting out the tape (from what I've seen) is it's having trouble spooling the tape around the head. There's a rubber loading tire just under the tape end sensor on the right that if you replace or rough up a bit with sandpaper should get it going again. You should also clean the gunk aroung the loading ring as it may be too resistant.

DEAR ALL,

YES, I HAVE MADE IT MY LIFE'S WORK TO REPAIR VINTAGE MACHINES SUCH AS THE SONY C9, HF-950 AND V2000 MODELS. I DO THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT BETAMAX IS TRULY BETTER THEN VHS AND THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THIS FACT SHOULD HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO WHERE THEIR UNITS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. BETAMAX IS NOT (AS MOST PEOPLE THINK) DEAD - IT IS ALIVE AND KICKING.

IN JAPAN SONY STILL MAKES A BRAND NEW BETAMAX MACHINE - IT IS NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO JAPAN TO GET ONE YOU CAN GET A SUPERB SONY C9 (OR HAVE YOURS REPAIRED) FROM ME.

AS ALWAYS MY WEBPAGES ARE AT http:members.aol.com/lucreziagalaxy/index.html AND MY TESTIMONIALS ARE LISTED BOTH THERE AND HERE (IN THE ARCHIVE SECTION).

THANK YOU

hi

HELP.... I have a Sony C6 VCR in my collection that has bugged me for ages as it sits there in great cosmetic condition but does not work! I believed it had worn heads. I was given a C5 that had the usual rewind like a snail problems etc but did play and record ok. I dewhile then I get bars appear down the picture as if the tape is worn. When cided to swap the entire drum and head as this looked simple and I have revived a C7 in the same way. The c6 now plays back ok for a I record the picture is a joke. I then took the machine to a local VCR repair shop who said (after getting up from the floor laughing so much) that they would look at the machine. They have said that upper and lower drums are "worn to excess". They did say I could use the VCR as "bedside clock". any ideas, as the playback bars are random I just have not got a clue.

LUCREZIA, I wouldn’t even trust you to fold up the plastic bag my 950 came wrapped in let alone even think you are qualified enough to repair such a technical piece of equipment. I have seen how you repair a c9, basically replace a whole board or power supply or loading mech rather than the individual component or part. It puts people who spend years learning their trade to shame, then the prices you demand are nothing but sacrilege to the Betamax hobbyist. I have emailed you several times and have recently purchased a hf100 and c9 both in mint condition with remote and 3 month warranty for less than you quoted me to fix a loading mech on my old C9, which by the way I have since repaired myself with brass cogs from the hobby shop costing less than 60p each. Ever wondered why you haven’t sold your "as new" c9 maybe its because I would have to mortgage my house just to put a down payment on it. Fine post your offers but once every few months at most please.

Wondering if blank Beta tape labels are available anywhere, or if not, what's close? Currently using Avery 1.5 cm wide file folder labels, but they suck. Any ideas???

Good old Radio Shack sells packets of VHS/Beta tape labels for $1.99 - Shack-alogue # 44-1103.

You get ten sheets with 2 VHS label and 2 Beta (older style side panel type) labels per sheet with two edge labels on each shhet with a 'cut for beta' mark to adapte them for Beta tapes

Of course they also have Beta tape at $5.99 a piece - Schack-alogue # 44-482. Note the relabeling sheets doesn't have labels to fit the shells on these newer style Beta tapes.

LUCREZIA I think that the reason people want to consider a new Japanese deck or get a new one that is sold locally is for the simple reason that through use the older units will eventually wear out no matter how good you are (or someone else is) at repairing them. I have had a couple of occasions where I have been unable to get a unit repaired simply because the spare is no longer available from Sony. If they (SONY) still made and sold Beta machines then one would assume the spares would still be available for a bit longer.

I never really liked my C9 when I had it, although it had several nice features the BNR noise reduction system was not very good and any tapes I made on it or another unit so not sound good when I play them on my 950 or 100 (I much prefer HiFi sound) or if I loan them to friends who have older non HiFi or stereo machines.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any place in the UK that one can still get blank tapes at a reasonable price, still know of a few shops that sell them but for 5 quid each it gets expensive. It is almost cheaper to have them sent over from the US since they can still be had there for $US4 each plus shiping.

Heya's! Here's a little modified scene from the virtual world VZones ( http://www.vzones.com ). Just wanted to share and show my love for beta!

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~madness2/betamad.gif

Hi!Just wonder if any of you guys could tell me the difference between a Sony SL-F1E and a SL-F1UB. Just bought a second hand SL-F1UB from UK, but I'm unable to play my beta tapes recorded on a SL-F1E. The oposite way however is no problem.Any good ideas?

GreetingsShine

hi can any one help with my sony c7 pleasehad new rewind kit fittedbut now sound not right ??

To Shine, I have a F1ub and a F1E. they can play tapes from each other with no problem at all. The only differance I have noticed is in the instruction manuals. The UB is only in English. The E is in many language. But as I have said they play and record on each other the same. It must be the machine.

IN JAPAN SONY STILL MAKES A BRAND NEW BETAMAX MACHINE , iread this on an earlier message, is this true? if so plse could someone supply further details, have looked on sony's web site to no avail. tks and rgds steve

Hi there Stewart!

Thanks for your answer re. SL-F1E and SL-F1UB. The whole thing is quite strange cause the recorded tapes which followed the machine from UK can easily be played on both the F1E and the F1UB with a good result.My tapes however, recorded on the F1E cannot be played on the F1UB. It is not even close to a picture; only snow! I have tried the tracking control, but without result.Also have problems with the sound. I adjusted my TV to receive the test picture (the black and white) from the video unit. The picture is fine, but the sound is far from good. I have tried both the options described in the manual in order to have a perfect result, but the sound is still bad. Even the fine-adjustment facility on my TV set does not help, neither does the RF-out adjustment on back of the tuner unit.What's wrong?

to Shine: Are the tapes recorded on the SL-F1E playable on the itself? I had a pair of SL-2000 (the US-NTSC version of the SL-F1 ) and tapes recorded on one could play on both but tapes recorded on the other could only play on that one. I fiddled with and eventually replaced the ACE block of the defective one and managed to get it recording properly. I'd long ago passed it on to a friend and at last report it bit the dust when one of the tape end sensors broke off.

Hi !Anyone can send me the manual for the Sony Betacam UVW-1400?

I'm in serious troubles with one of this kind.

Thanks and sorry for my poor english.

Hi Olive!

The SL-F1E can play all the tapes without problems, but the SL-F1UB can only play "it's own" tapes.The sound problem has been solved now by the way.

GreetingsShine

WANTED: Working beta player in uk, will pay up to £ 200 for working model, email me, will only pay that much for one in good condition.

I need a UK based trustworthy source of spares for a Sony SL-C9UB, in particular a cassette carriage assembly. Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, experiences?

Hi,I have a Sony SL-HF100 Hi-Fi Betamax VCR which I no longer use.It was working last time I used it. I have no idea what it is worth.Any offers? I am in Australia.Thanks

I bought this SL-F1E off of ebay....but the problem is, is it has not battery, or cables to it. So I am stuck in a position in trying to find the RF Cable coming out the back and the battery pack, or DC cable and converter box for the back. Does anyone have any idead where i can get these...maybe some of you have them? just email me and let me know....asap! Thanx guys

I've just found my 30 odd year old Sony SL-F30 betamax player here on this site! I've used it for a long time with around ten tapes. I wish to know whether the tapes are still being manufactured anywhere on the web? I still use the machine. Cheers!

To Ben Burdette ( Lexington, KY)

I assume you know that unless you have PAL tapes and/or equipment you won't be able to get much use out of that SL-F1 in Kentucky. The Battery (NP-1) is still readily available as it's a standard battery inthe TV broadcast industry. The Batterybank http://www.batterybank.com/ sells NP-1bs for about $50

To "Mike"Tapes are still being sold for betamax! New and used!Ýou can also buy used and new Betacam tapes (small) Remember to buy Oxide tapes! Dont go near SP Tapes.SP tapes are High Grade metal tapes... it will wear down your head and drum in no time!Mail me if you got more questions!

Best Regards

Emil JensenFrom Denmark

October 21, 2001 1:32 A.M.est.

Olive: I have't followed up with the scanner because my mother is currently ill! I'll try to get back to it hopefully next week! I also got some spam with your name on it but I don't think it was you Best! Al

I'am seaching for a video player Bétamax-Pal , a new one or occasion ., for belgium . Please cpntact me on my E-Mail or on the following address: A?Vermaelen / Avenue des Nations Unies / 8050 Hammamet / Tunisie .Phone : 72/262.393 Fax. Thanks . .

To 'Brian Fletcher';

I recently recieved two identical Spam mails with your name on them at both off my E-mail addresses and this is the only place where they both can be found so I'm assuming that you've be trawling this group for addresses.

Cut it out @$$hole!

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1287524934

lists a working SL-C 24 on E-bay.

The bidding's at DM 125 ($57 US) and ends in 5 days.

Hey, here's a interesting discovery I found while searchin' eBay: a FISHER beta deck. I never knew that company made betas -- always thought they had gone the VHS route. Even though the description is in German, I was able to translate w/ Babelfish.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1288311914

And regarding "Brian Fletcher", I've received several Spam messages from this idiot about some prankcall service in the UK. I'm in the US dufus and am not gonna waste an international call to crank some Brit. I think that would confirm Olive's theory of "him" picking addresses off here!

--> Madness

Saw that one myself... Fisher is a division of Sanyo and in some markets Fisher offered Beta machines. Sanyo also OEM'd for Marantz, Radio Shack, Magnasonic (Canadian brand), and Sears. Sears also got Betas from Toshiba.

Hi. Does anyone know if there's a way to access the "digital scan" function via the front panel on an SL-HF860D/870D? Or a universal remote that can access that function? I'd like to use the function, but don't want to have to find an original remote for it. Thanks!

Radio Shack makes the more comprehensive remotes that do more than just the basic functions (why the universal people are stuck in the '80s in terms of making a remote to work for today's - put-all-the-functions-on-the-remote-so-the-vcr-is-useless-if-you-lose-it- world - is beyond me). The all for one company made a killer remote with LCD screen that let you map some of the advanded features to the unit.You might also try and get hold of a Sony RMT X1000c on E-bay. It's intended for their Digital Video systems but has VTR settings for Beta as well as 8mm and VHS. It has jog shuttl;e controls and a slew of feature buttons.

Anyone out there have a source for NEC beta parts? I have a 70EU hifi that needs a new idler gear.

Thanks

To Randy who asks "What is difference between Superbeta and SuperHighband B1s?"

As I understand it, Superbeta is about a 20% overall improvement over regular beta signal, SuperHighband packs the most signal onto an ordinary oxide tape possible (about 360 lines of resolution worth) putting it on a par with S-VHS or Hi-8.

What did you end up paying for that sweet unit? I've got to find one of these 'Hamfests'...

@ Shine,

the second difference of the UB and E version ist the sound carrier that comes out of the RF-Modulator. UB = 6,5 Mhz (UK) E =5,5Mhz that's uesd in germany. Im still working on my hompage ther you can find soon a desscribtion of the 26 Pin conector, so you can use video and audio input output. http://340054418855-0001.bei.t-online.de Look under "Projekte".

Greetings from Germany

I have: Sony SL-HF-750. What is difference between Superbeta and SuperHighband B1s? Just bought this VCR from a hamfest and want to use whatever makes best recordings.

does anyone have a front flap for a sony sl hf 100 beta hi-fi(the one that covers the timer/audio controls) and an instruction manualI have just bought this machine to go with my SONY C7 but it had no instruction manual or front cover/flap.Greatful for any help LONG LIVE SUPERIOR BETAMAX

To Gary looking for an SL-HF 100 cover flap: If you can't find one it might help you to know that the SL-HF 400 is the American version of the SL-HF 100 and the cover flap is probably compatible. Hope that helps in your quest.

To Olive Thomas: I payed 100 bucks for the unit including the remote and six beta cassettes. The guy selling it told me he was the original owner of it and that it had been in storage for a decade or so but worked fine when he tested it. Sure enough, it's in perfect working order.

The 'hamfest' is essentially a ham radio flea market. Although they had a lot of ham gear, there was also a ton of computer gear and other electronic gizmos.

Hello there Gary and Olive!

Unfortunately the HF100 control panel flap is unique to the HF100. The HF400 (NTSC) has a different button layout, notably the channel up/down buttons are higher up on the units face, whereas on the HF100 (PAL) the channel up/down buttons are recessed into the flap which has a cut out for them.

I hope this is of some help

Also does anybody have a Sony matrix switcher they would part with, a model 1000 would be nice. Let me know.

John

PS Ullo B2!

I have a Sony beta that will play for a few seconds, then it will just stop. When I power off, then back on, it will play again, sometimes it will keep playing without stopping depending on how long its been on. This is the 3rd Sony beta I've owned that does this. I will use them for a couple of years until this problem comes up. What's going on here?

Mentioning remotes, I got ahold of a sweet Sony RM-AV2000 home theater remote (used). This thing has a huge LCD touch screen and sorta looks like a Palm Pilot. However it has a learning capability and finally was able to program it to control my Aiwa AV-70M and my Apex DVD. I'm a happy guy. :)

Richard,sounds like a forward tension problem. Try checking the forward/back tension on the tape. You'll need to aquire (Part No. J-6080-003-C /SL-0003C)There's a picture of one here on this site if you go to the repair section. good luck.

Just to advise people of my experiences, with all these 'positive' testimonials to LUCREZIA's service being posted around. Last year I bought from the said guru one remote sensor for a Grundig 2x4 Super (V2000) machine. Said guru assured me that it was for this machine. On receipt it was nothing like the correct sensor and was in fact for a Philips machine. I have also corresponded with another person whose experience of dealing with the said guru led to legal action having to be taken. My advise is be careful before spending large amounts of money on machines, spares or services. Ask for other people to come forward with their experiences. Then, you may think again....

Just a final question: In addition to the SL-HF-750, I also own two other decks: SL-HF-300 and SL-HF-500. I've been wanting to know what the difference is between them? They both look almost exactly alike except that the former is all black and the latter is black except the lower part of the front panel, which is silver/gray.

People who think that betamax is dead are probably the same chaps that think laser discs are out of date, but companies still put old and new movies on laser disc as with betamax(not so much, though). What can you expect people to say? Betamax and laser disc players are getting abit grey, but so what. I'll be getting grey at some point in my life, will people think that I am out of date or obsolete?

To Randy with the SL-HF 300 and 500. I would ask if you could do frame advance while in pause on the SL-HF 500 or if it might have any other trick effects or a maybe a better tuner. I currently have an SL-HF 300 and I am looking for a second HiFi for dubbing tapes. I see an nice looking SL-HF 500 on E-beta.

I also see two Aiwa units, the AV50 and AV70 and I was wondering if they're any good. Does either have a stereo tuner? (as opposed to just being able to record in stereo) Are their remote codes separate from Sony's (Aiwa is a Sony subsidiary) so that I can use one next to my current Beta?

Does anyone out there in the Los Angeles area (I'm willing to drive far if needed) have a Betamax PAL vcr that I can rent from them for one day. I'm willing to pay $60, and I'll pick it up and drop it off.

Thanks

[email protected]

To Olive and Randy: As far I can tell, the other difference besides the color schemes is the 300 has a linear ("0000") counter and the 500 has a real-time (0h00m00s). I own a couple of each and see no other things like trick plays (they're both 2-head betas). They, do, however, have a really nice picture and sound and seem to be very reliable workhorses. I've had my oldest 300 for nearly 10 years and it hasn't missed a beat yet.

I also own an Aiwa AV-70M like the one on eBay. It doesn't have a stereo tuner (c. 1984). But it does have 3 heads and nearly perfect freeze-frame. It also has a rather unique feature to compensate for the lack of stereo: a "simulcast" switch.

Use this feature w/, say, a modern VHS-hifi machine as the tuner. I got it hooked to the AV-70M via the RF and programmed into one of the channel presets as channel 3. Then the audio outs from the VHS to in on the Aiwa. So w/ the simulcast switch on, the Aiwa will record the input from the audio jacks on the beta-hifi track and the mono sound from the tuner on the linear track. This'll even work great w/ the timer for time-shifting long as you leave the VHS deck on.

I think if you want a beta w/ a true stereo tuner, you'd need to get something like the HF 400 (?), 450, 550 or something newer.

Hi. I have a request. I'm looking for a fully intact control door for an SL-HF860D at a reasonable price. Thanks.

Site update: Full information on fixing a C9 DC to DC converter can be found on PALsite. Both MkI and MkII converters are now covered.

http://www.palsite.com/pcat_dcdc.html

Olive: Just to add: The Aiwa's remote codes seem to be very proprietary. None of 6 different brands of preprogrammed universal's I tried would work w/ it! As mentioned earlier, I finally had to get a learning remote and program it w/ the OEM one (which I have). I just seems to me that those Aiwa's may have been of very limited production (the serial # of my AV-70M is 2765!) so that may've had something to do w/ it.

Hi there

Just a line to say that ive just put a large crate of 50 used betamax tapes on ebay for a low start price of £15.00.May take a couple of hours to show up on ebay as i just placed the ad a few mins ago

regards

mike

Hi there I own a BetaMax Hi Fi, I have a problem, 3 weeks ago i insert a tape inside, however, it got jammed inside, please, can some one help me out, I just need to get it out but am stuck, I love my machine dearly and dont want to part with it. it's the model with a slide out tray

I have a Sony Player(can't remember the model but it's the one where the tape is loaded into a 'draw') which has stopped playing tapes. It will play for a few seconds then the screen goes blank, I think ihas something to do with the tracking. I have been told that the parts for it are no longer available.

I am looking to replace it but struggling to find any machines.

Can anyone help or have any suggestion on repairing the old one?

I still don't get this metal bad oxide good thing for betatapes I heard from several people that the metal ones work better and wear the heads out less. Oxide tape are in theory worse because the oxide is pretty much rust and the metal tapes are fully bonded with metal useing an electro static system. Normal audio tape players can play back metal tape fine so what's all the fuss about metal? Please tell me. I would prefer an E-mailed answer from all who choose to comment.

A. Choate

To A. Choate based on my experience with the one Metal Betacam SP tape I've tried I would not recommend it for use in non ED beta or Superbeta/HiFi machines.

The metal particles when recorded onto create an odd interference pattern that shows up on Superbeta and HiFi machines. When a Hifi signal is recorded you get wavy lines similar to the lines you get when playing a HiFi tape on a mono machine.

If you record a signal using say a mono non-superbeta machine and play that recording on a HiFi machine you get a small patch of 'rainbow' at the bottom of the screen. (Curiously mono non-super machines play Metal tapes with no worries.) I've tried three separate HiFi VCRs and the same pattern repeats itself so I can pretty much blame the recording characteristics of the tape.

It's not unlikely that it was a just 'bad' tape, even though I'd received a factory new cassette from BASF, but I'm not gonna take any chances. Even if you discount the theory of advanced head wear Metal tapes are just not the right choice unless you're using an ED machine.

I have a Sony Beta SLHF 2000 that I purchased about four years ago. It is in need of service and I am wondering if someone could recommend a good repair company. About one year ago, my 2000 developed a problem with the audio portion of recordings that I made. A crackling sound was heard. I sent the machine to SONY in MA for repair and, after keeping it for six weeks, sent it back 1/2 fixed. The audio is fine however, the picture quality is poor. A problem mind you, that it did not have when I sent it in for repair.

One the odder E-beta finds....

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1292159864

His ex-wife cut the power cord and took the camera and apparently the cover for the VCR as well.

Sigh...

It's always the Beta VCR that loses when the spouses fight...

To Jim with the SL-HF 2000, try talking to this fellow...

Karl Kosower Electronic Services575 East Line RoadBallston Spa NY 12020518 - 885 - 7606