Somehow I wouldn't trust this cordless coverless pictureless portable. Well at least there is sound and the wife is gone for good.

Hi, I didn't realize there were so many Beta enthusiast, I thought I was on my own! Any way I have a question which has probably been asked a million times but here goes again - Are there any american models to look out for that will record PAL? I have seen many betas for sale in america but precious little in the UK. I have a 300 strong Beta film collection which is gathering dust, because I have no VCR to play them with. I would love a recent model, but I spose everyone else would too! Cheers David

To David Ferrone; Look for Sony Beta VCRs with the ME suffix (as in SLT-50ME ). Sinces there are several different TV systems in general use in the Middle Eastern region Sony built several models with multi-system (PAL,NTSC,SECAM) and dual power (110v-60hz/220v-50hz) capability. They do show up from time to time on E-bay.

PAL Beta VCRs are more common though and at least three have been listed in the last couple weeks or so.

Please I look for the manual of the Betamovie BMC-110 of the company Sony. thank you

Greetings! It's me again, the dude with the two EDW-30F ED-Beta's! The person who made the suggestion of using Betacam SP's just rocks! My place of employment (where I acquired the decks) and a local TV station provided me with a ton of 10-, 20- and 30 -minute (L-250, 500 & 750) tapes for little or nothing! I've duped more than a dozen rental DVD's via the S-video jacks since my last post and the results are nothing but spectacular (no dropouts as of yet)! I even get surround-compatable tapes if I set the audio on DVDs to "Dolby Surround 2.0."

As great as this all is, my biggest quest has been to find some way to remote-control my decks. Being industrials, the EDW-30F have no remote receiver on the front panel. They do, however, have several "control" jacks and sockets on the rear. One looks like a mini Centronics port marked "Remote". Other's are DIN sockets or phone jacks marked "control L/T & control S in/out." I've found a similar model for auction on ebay, but mine still have the rack-mounting ears attached. One of the pictures has a good close-up of the real panel connectors.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1291728808

I was hoping to find or build a device using any one of those jacks that would either add a wired remote to the deck or allow use of a universal wireless to control it. Basic transport functions and maybe use of shuttle dial would be more than enough. If anyone has ideas, please let me know.

Thanks....Renton

To Renton; You could probably just use a broadcast VTR edit controller if you can find one with the right pinouts. Looking through some Sony Betacam manuals I've seen several different types of pro VTR remotes. The SVRM-100A looks the most like what you'd want (though I think it's the wrong pinouts).

Or you might be able to port the control S in/outs to a Sony brand receiver that uses control S to link its componants. There also might be some 'pro-sumer' Sima edit controllers that work with Control S.

Try http://www.jandr.com . They sell all sorts of video goodies.

Hi, I have a request for 2 items.1) A fully intact front control door for a Sony SL-HF860D2) A working remote for SL-HF860D/870D. I'm not concerned about cosmetics of this remote, just that it works.My email is [email protected]!

A question for you all...

Would any of you pay the 'buy it now' price of $299 for this item -http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1292894686 - An unopened SL-10 Betamax? This is a mono unit with wired remote that's not even cable-ready. Would you even bid the base price of $99?

Olive, I personally wouldn't pay more than $50.00 for it. Assuming that it truly was never used, it just doesn't grab me for anything higher than a $50.00 bill. In my opinion he is just another seller that thinks selling a Beta on Ebay is like selling glass as diamonds. My opinion. Later. Pepse.

I have a batch of pre-recorded Beta tapes for sale - all in excellent condition and clean cases. Titles include RETURN OF THE JEDI/WITNESS/MIDNIGHT EXPRESS/GONE WITH THE WIND/REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE/GIANT/EAST OF EDEN/THE RIGHT STUFF/WAR GAMES. Also a couple of classic FAWLTY TOWERS tapes. If interested please e-mail.

l like mon mom and dad

Hello,

I have a Sony remote control that works via wire and a DIN plug. The type is RM-75T. Would anyone be interested? I believe its from an old Beta recorder.I have also found 15 Beta tapes - any offers?

Chris

This SL-10 on Ebay. Would I pay the start price of $99? I think yes, I would. Reason: Even if you don't use it "as is", it has great value in the spares that can be cannibalised to keep an existing Beta alive. Capstan Motor, Reel Motor, Audio/Control head, video head, Upper Cylinder, Pinch Roller, Idler, plus a good power supply and various i.c's that are probably now discontinued. Add the cost of ordering all these parts individually and it comes to a nice tidy sum, far exceeding the $99 base price... Rich..

To Richard; While you could canibalise an essentially brand new SL-10 to keep another Beta alive, you'd be better off using the SL-10. Remember it's never even been out of the box. Of course for the same money you could get a HiFi Beta but I'm almost tempted to go for the $99 bid just to bet the first actual user (if not the first owner) of a Betamax VCR for once in my life. Imagine if it still had that 'new VCR smell' after all these years...

Makes me wish I could find an abandoned warehouse full of unopened SL-HF 750s...

It could happen!

To Renton again this just showed up on E-bay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1293688634

It's an edit controller for Beta industrial units.

To Renton: I think I may have a relatively inexpensive remote controlsolution for your ED Beta VCRs. Sony makes a model RM-V200 wiredremote control that can control a VRC's basic functions using the"Control S" port on your machine. I currently am using two of themto operate two chains of Sony VHS Hi-Fi duplicators at my studios. The RM-V200 has the usual play - record - rewind - fast forwardfunctions, as well as power on, and eject functions. The RM-V200uses a standard mini jack type cable - so if you need a longer cable than the one suppied by Sony - you can probably get a longercable at your local electronics supplier. The RM-V200 is part of Sony's industrial line, so you will have toprobably order one from a Sony Industrial dealer. Cost - if I remember correctly - is about $100 or $125. Good Luck! Dave A.

Hi. I'm looking for a service manual for a Sony SL-T50ME multisystem beta vcr. Email me at [email protected] Thanks!

Hi. I still need the service manual as Sony didn't label ANY of the adjustments on the boards (grrr!). But, I'm hoping I can at least get some suggestions for when I do get a service manual for my SL-T50ME. If a tape is recorded and played back on itself, the picture shows no color, and is poor quality B&W picture (this is in all formats, NTSC/PAL/SECAM). If recorded in NTSC and played back on another good VCR I will get color but a very poor quality picture (kinda looks like really worn heads, though, I know the heads are fine) but tracks fine. Tapes recorded on other VCR's and played back on the SL-T50ME are still poor quality, but better than when done the other way around. It kinda looks like some transparent colored vertical wavy lines are in the picture, and it also goes out of sync at times. Now, here's the weird part. Tapes recorded on this VCR back when it had no problems play back well on the VCR (including slo-mo and 2x speed), and also my other VCR's. ANY help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone!!!

I am desperate for a Beta VCR...mine has bit the dust. I have every Charlie Chan, Laurel & Hardy and Sherlock Holmes movie ever made, plus all my grand children since their mother was pregnant with them...and now nothing to view any of my library with....HELP!!!

I have approx. 100 adult movies in beta format. would like to sell them. I have no use for them. I aquired them when I bougth a movier rental store.

This is mainly for people with the SL-HF 750's. To put it simple is your deck really slow when FF or REW when NOT in play mode?? I mean I know my HF400 and HF300 were definately faster. And I'm sure if I dug out my spare Toshiba deck it too would REW and FF better than the HF750. So, is this normal oir does it need "shop time"? Oh yeah, Olive let me know when you find that wharehouse full of HF750's. I could use a spare or 2. LOL. Later. Pepse.

Nowadays, the most likely reason for a betamax to slow down on rewinding is excessive drum wear, when the tape tends to stick to a too much polished drum and increase friction. This could be confirmed by visual inspection of the upper drum or by the forcing sound it makes, esp. when reaching near the end of the tape or also by a rocking back tension arm.

The bad news is that the whole tape path has seen the same amount of tape as the drum and may be as worn out.

Anybody know how many cable channels an SL-HF 360 gets? I'm thinking of getting one

How do you adjust the tape tension on a Sony beta? Is it not too complicated and what tools are needed besides the tape tension test tape. Would I be better off taking it to a beta repair center and how much should it cost for this adjustment?

Thanks for removing my message

Arrrrgh! That 'VeHoS' god must be after me...

I was all set to bid on this sweet SL-HF 860D that had been ignored and was only at the $1 bid with no takers. Come to find out that the seller would only let preapproved bidders vye for the item (which explained why no-one had bid for it - I hadn't looked till 20 minutes to the end of the sale). Well I send a couple E-mails hoping to get on that list but the auction ended with no takers...

I just got an E-mail explaining that the seller had accidentally relisted a sold item... some lucky Mexican has that SL-HF 860D.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Olive:

God, dontcha just hate those kind of auctions? Yannow, where the seller must be so paranoid of "deat-beat" bidders, that he/she has to make it preapproved only. I've been thru that before for several sweet items that I might've wanted but then the seller either refused to approve me (for what, I don't know; I have no bad feedback) or just didn't reply to my mail.

Hi there,

just a question: is anyone out there who has knowledge of/ owns/ has ever seen a Sony SL-C9 with working backup cell for the clock?

Has anyone replaced such a cell and what is the trick?

All my efforts with different types of cells have failed. Yes, I know: 2.4 Volts-110mAh. It works for a few minutes and then it wouldn´t come back to life even after a whole day charging.

Is Sony using a very special cell?

Gerhard

Hi, I'm looking for a Sony SL-2700 Hi-Fi Betamax VCR in excellent cosmetic and working condition. It must be complete with original manual and remote.

Also, does anyone know where I can find a complete service manual for this model?

Thanks, Richard

I'm still looking for advice on adjusting the tape tension on a Sony beta, disregard the second message. I also have another one (hf400) that crinkles up the tape when it is playing, so I stopped using it as I dont want to damage all the tapes. What might cause that?

To Richard with the nibbly SL-HF 400. The most fixable cause would be accumulation on the capstan and/or pinch roller. Thorough cleaning might alleviate that problem.

Otherwise it's a misaligned portion of the tape path that is grating against the tape. Your best bet is to have a pro look at it because they'll have the alignment tools for the various posts and guides along the path...

I just thought I'd make a list of all the Beta VCRs I own: Sony: SL-HFT7, SL-HF400, 2 SL-HFR70s, HFP -200, HFP-100, 2 SL-HFR30s, 6 SL-30s, 2 SLO-1400s. Toshiba: VS-36, VS-46, V-M412. Nec: VC-734E

OK, the pich roller is the wheel that spins around with a tire on it, and the capstan is the?

I've estimated all my betas to be worth $1455 if they are all working properly.

To Gerhard:I think that VARTA is manufacturing different batteries and it would be possible to find the right one. The other way might be to replace this battery with 0.1 F/5.5 V condensator. Such condensators are used in some VCRs and car radios for memory backup.AMi

To Richard:The capstan is the one the pinch roller is pressing the tape against to make it run!Be sure to clean this part, because old tape oxide sticks to this, or read the cleaning guide on this site!

Best Regards

Emil Jensen

Anyone want to buy all my betas for $700?

Hey all, gotta weird situation: One of my HF-500's has developed a strange problem recently. A tape can be playing, and of a sudden, a small flash of static or snow appears on the bottom of the screen then the whole picture and sound (regardless of whether it's hifi or linear) just blacks out almost like I had pressed "stop." The counter stops advancing yet the tape motion indicators on the display show that the tape is still playing and I can see it moving thru the window on top. It's almost as if I was playing a blank tape. But the really weird situation is that it only seems to happen when playing commercial prerecorded tapes! If I put in a tape I made myself it plays thru w/ no trouble! Anyone ever hear of that happening? It's got me mystified. Machine records w/ no trouble, too!

WANTED: If anyone is about to scrap a C7 VCR I require a switch control panel. This is the panel under the front cover that has the function switches on (eject, play ff rew etc). They are easy to remove just on with plug connectors. I have a C7 with a tape stuck in it that has been dropped. This panel is broken. Any help please email me. Ta.

My family has two Beta format VCRS, one a Sony SL-HF-600 and one a Sanyo VCR-4030. I need to know where I can get a head cleaning cassette for Beta VCRS, since the one we have is as old as the VCR (about 15 years) and its bottle of solution is just about empty. How about some blank tapes too, since the ones we have have been used so many times their picture is getting a bit on the grainy side. Thanks, Andy

Nov.14,2001 1:55 A.m. est.

Andy; Try Video Liquidators in West Bloomfield Michigan 1-810-442-9360! I've been in his store and I know he stocks Sony Blank 500,s 750, &830's as well as th dry Sony (I think its the Cl-125) Beta Video Head Cleaning Cassette! But he is not cheap! Best Wishes Al Smith !

To Andy Wehrle:

RadioShack still sells blank beta L-750 tapes, but for $6 a shot! Another place for tapes is Tapeworld ( http://www.tapeworld.com ). But the best place prolly for both tapes and cleaners is eBay. If you can find lots of oxide betacam (NOT betacam SP) tapes there, they work just fine. eBay has it's own catagory for beta tapes of all kinds:

http://listings.ebay.com/aw/plistings/list/category2286/index.html

Hope that helps.

--> Madness

hi i have a c7 with a sound fault there is no sound on the tuner or the playback just a hissing noise i have checked for dry joints and all the conections .dose any one know which components to change please emailme many thanks.

Hi everybody! I have 2 Sony SL-F1 units w/o tuner/timer. Does anyone know the pinouts of the Accessory Connector at the rear of the machine or how can I get a device called VMC-330 adaptor? I would need the AV in-outs.Thanx

To Madness--I bought a HF-400 off of e-bay a couple years ago and the guy selling it described the very thing thats happening to your 500.I fixed it by replacing the pinch roller.The old one was deflecting the tape away from the ACE head.A SONY pinch roller can be purchased from MCM Electronics and is very easy to replace. Hope this helps you!

Gee two SL-F1 's with no tuner/timer modules...

I have two TT-2000 tuner/timer modules for the SL-2000 (The SL-F1 's American cousin) just sitting all by their lonesome as their SL-2000 units died on me...

Hi Olive! These are good news, really! I am living in Hungary, East-Europe. It seems to me almost impossible to find any part of these antique machines in our country. Is there any way for me to purchase Your tuner(s)? many thanx Adam

to John Rowing who e-mailed me a suggestion on how to fix that sticky rewind problem on my Sl-2000. He suggested that I roughen up the head drum with an abasive cloth. I tried it but instead of removing the upper head drum completely, I removed the plastic guide path parts from the top of the drum and - being careful not to damage the heads - roughened the head drum with some 150 grit sandpaper. Believe it or not it works!

Thanks John Rowing for that tip...

To Adam: Unfortunately the TT-2000s I have won't work for the European SL-F1. One because the TV system in Europe is a different system (PAL) from North American (NTSC) TV. Also the voltage is different and I think the plugs in the back are different. Otherwise I'dve gladly let you have one for at least the cost of shipping. Sorry to get your hopes up but if anybody in the U.S., Canada or Mexico needs one make me an offer.

I got a replacement SL-2000 VCR off of E-bay today and while it plays and records O.K. the rewind is jerky. I read above it's due to an overly worn upper head drum assembly. It otherwise works O.K., but I wonder if there's any sort of fix for this problem that doesn't involve a lot of tearing things apart...

Hope the SL-HF 360 I ordered is in better shape....

i live in orange county california and i am looking for betamsx player to buy

WANTED:Operator manual or service manual or user manual or whatever it is called for the Sony GCS-50. (Any kind of documentation)ThanksGerhard

To Charlie:

That's interesting. Were you only able to play homemade tapes on your 400 (including those made on other beta decks)? But I could try the pinch roller replacement if it not too expensive for the part. I found MCM Electronics' website and am looking for it now.

Charlie: You've hit the nail on the head, dude! Just as a test, I swapped pinch rollers w/ one of my other working units and now that 500 is playing fine -- both prerecorded and homemade tapes. And I found the exact match on MCM Electronics for just under 5 bucks each! Really dude, thanks very much for your info!

--> Madness

Just obtained a Toshiba V-X340 Portable VCR [U.S.-NTSC] works fine for dubbing to VHS with RF output. I would like to get the Line Adaptor EXC-P1E for better quality dubs. Could also use the VC-34 Remote Control unit. Thank You.

Now you can show your love for the Beta format with this unique E-beta find...

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1299202486

It's Sony SuperBetamax 'marque' style lighted store display.

To Olive and Adam: to my mind the only difference is in sound IF and as a result there may be more narrow bandwidth on US model. The shift between picture and sound IF's is 4.5 MHz in NTSC models (M standard) and 5.5 MHz in PAL models (B/G standard). The problem often may be solved by changing a ceramic filter. As far as I uderstand there is an analog tuner in these models. In this case there might not be very serious problems with tuning to TV channels. For power supply are 2 possibilities - either to use 220/110 V AC/AC adapter or to change transformer in power supply unit. The only problem remains connector but that also may be solved.

Anyone know if a Sony SL-30 pinch roller is the same as an HF400?

I dont know if this is the right place to post a request such as this but here goes anyway. I was wondering if anyone out there may have original off air recordings of a british Sci-Fi show called "Doctor Who" I am particularly interested in episodes which starred Jon Pertwee. these would have been broadcast in early 80's. any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry Joe. As far as I know there are only pre-recorded Jon Pertwee Doctor Who's available. You are ten years ahead of yourself. Jon Pertwee episodes aired in the early 70's.Rich..

To Richard: Yes SL-30 and SL-400 pinch rollers should be the same. Sony revised it's twin reel motor chassis design from the SL-2000/2500/2700 models to the EZ-beta pendulum idler chassis. They also changed the design of the pinch roller from one where a spring pushed inwards (towards the loading ring) to one that pushed the roller outwards. The newer design has a notch on the inner side where a tab on the spring rests and is formed differently than the older design....

That must be why the HF400s make a big clunk and the SL2500s don't-because of the pendulum chassis. I noticed also that on my HFT7, once it is in the play mode, and I search in ff or rew, or pause, it doesnt make that clunking sound.

I don't know if a pendulum idler is supposed to be all that noisy. My SL-HF 300 is fairly quiet between modes...

To AdamYou can find the Conektor of the SL-F1 on my Hompage:

http://sps.wagner.bei.t-online.de/projekte.html

Look under Tips & Tricks. Please can any body link on my page, to make it easyer to find.

Stephan

Regarding an Awai AV-50m I have a split gear on the idler motor. Any suggestions on a replacment cross. Beta site suggests it is Sony built around '84 -'89. Any dead units for sale or nylon gear repair suggestions. Thanks

You know I mean Aiwa!

To David - not so fast! Aiwa was a Sony subsidiary and Beta parts made for Sony just may be compaitble with Aiwa decks. I have spare Sony idler/reel drive assemblies from the 1984 era. Send me a piccy of what you have that's broken and I'll see if it's similar to my Sony bits...

I seemed to have found the problem with the nibbly HF400, it was the pinch roller. It was spinning around all caddy wampus, and wasnt spinning freely, I think the pin that holds it was bent. I swapped pinch rollers from an SL-30 and that one spins freely and evenly for a long time, and now it plays without damaging the tape (with a good picture). I fixed the rec level slider too while I was at it. It had slipped off the control underneath the face plate so I took it off and lined them up so that works now. The only thing it does wrong now is when I search in ff or rew, it plays with white lines, enough to where I can't make out the picture. What might cause that?

How do you remove the ring that turns around when the tape is loaded that holds the pop up pins with springs? I would like to swap one from one SL-HFR70 to another. The pop up springs broke off on one of them, the one I would like to get going.

Thanks Olive for the info on the pinch rollers.

To David - Having seen the pic you sent I guess Aiwa used their own engineering team for their Betas.Sorry but Sony parts won't fit - unlike those with a Pioneer or Zenith Betas which were Sony OEMs and more readying parts swappable.

To Richard losing the picture in rewind or fast forward is to be expected somewhat. If it's more than what is to be expected the only experience I can draw from is an old GE VCR that would 'snow out' in rewind because the little pad that checked the rewind speed was worn. If it otherwise plays O.K. you might want to just let sleeping dogs lie on that unit unless you really want to disassemble the reel drive and clean/check the various brake pads.

As for replacing/swapping the loading ring on that SL-HFR 70, well I'd consider that unit a writeoff as the loader ring is too deeply embedded under the mass of parts you'd have to remove to get at it. I don't think it can be done without throwing the unit completely and irretrievably out of whack. You might be better off fixxing the unit you wanted to swap the rings from if it's another SL-HFR 70 with good parts from the unit with the broken ring.

Hi... newbie here... couple of questions please.Have a SF HL400 that has problems and around 90 Beta tapes. Want to get it repaired or buy a used one. 1) Is there a website somewhere that describes all the Beta deck models? (like http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk for laser disk players)2) Any recommendations on beta deck repair shops in Michigan/Ohio?THANKS!!

I have an elderly neighbour (76) who has a betamax player that works mechanically, but the picture suffers from a low frequency wobble, with a small amount white speckles appearing from time to time. He has all his families movies transferred onto betamax tapes, but is unable to enjoy them due to this problem. Does anyone have any ideas ?? I would be interested in buying him a second hand player is someone has one for sale. We live in Surrey in the UK.

To David with the AIWA AV-50M, I just got my daily Ebay announcements for new things in Beta and there is a guy in VA selling an Aiwa AV-70M for parts. He said it is missing the drive gear, headdrum and head. Not sure if the drive gear is the same as what you are looking for (other people might call same thing, diff name). It's got 6 days to go and a $25.00 opening bid. Ebay No. is: 1300742035 . Never know. Later. Pepse.

I saw that AV-70 myself and would've mentioned it but it sounded to me that the exact part he would've needed was the one removed.

Tom Pate, there is a Beta repair guy in Ohio. His name is Patrick Smith. His home phone is: 937-223-8823. His email is: [email protected] . OR you moght try Absolute Beta in Remington, VA. His phone is: 540-439-3259, or email: [email protected] . Richard with the HF400; if you're getting the white lines in BIII I would think dirty heads or possibly something else needs a good cleaning. I had an HF400 and it had minimal lines, if any, when FF-ing. Oh, and this problem shows up with tapes that didn't get crumpled?? Later. Pepse.

Yes, this happens to the tapes that didn't get crinkled, there was only a few tapes that happened to since I stopped using it until I replaced the pinch roller. It plays and records with a good picture, its only when I go into the search mode that the white snow appears. I dont think it would be dirty heads. I know that there is usually like 3 or 4 lines on the screen in search, but this is an excessive amount. No big deal if I dont get that going.

I have approx. 100 500&750 used tapes. They are free to anyone who can collect from London E10.

Richard,

In order to take the threading ring out of the chassis, you first have to remove FE and ACE head assemblies then the threading motor then the tape holder seating on the drum, as well as a few nuts and screws.

If this didn't scare you enough and you still wish to replace the ring, I could get the detailed explanation scanned and send it to you. But as Olive advised, it would probably easier to fix the other machine.

Thanks so much Olive and Pepse. The part the ebayer describes as broken is the exact part broken on mine. Probably the weakest link. I have the PCM -800 and the SV-50M amp section so for awhile it will just sit on my shelf as a very pretty setup and maybe dig into a fix later on. I have two ED Betas I got off this site a couple years ago and still am very happy I have them. At least with Sony parts some can still be found from Sony or good folks like Olive. I was even able to get the wood side replacements from Sony. David

If the machine in question is similar to an SL-C9 i.e. with a plastic threading ring it may be possible to repair it.

I usually prefix any of my ramblings by adding the warning that most of what I recall occured 15 or twenty years ago .... my memory may be flawed !

I have repaired the threading ring in 3 or 4 SLC-9UB (uk model) vcr's, but I don't how durable the fix was .... at least the customers didn't come back.

The repair works like this .... to pin the ring back together in situ.

First the pin ..... a small staple (as used for clipping receipts and invoices together) is modified by reducing the length of the 'legs' ( the ends which normally puncture the paper prior to being folded over) cut these to approx. half their original length i.e. reduce to about 2mm.

To insert the pin in the top surface of the ring .... hold it with tweezers or slim long nose pliers, hold it on top of the ring and apply heat to one end with a soldering iron. As the plastic of the ring softens underneath the 'point' of one of the 'legs' of the staple will sink into the ring. By alternating the applied heat to each end of the staple, it is possible to get the 'legs' of it (the staple) to bury into the ring. You must keep the ends of the ring gently pulled together as you apply the heat, so that the staple doesn't introduce a gap into the circumference of the ring.

Now the glue .... I think I used a form of cyno-acrylic 'super glue'.Start by sliding a small slither of paper under the ring directly below the break .... this is to stop any glue sticking the ring to the metalwork below. Now apply a spot of glue to the staple.... capillary action should take it around the staple and also into the break.

I think I may also have tried a variation to this process, using a very small spot of epoxy adhesive as well as the 'super glue. This was because I didn't know if either glue was actually suitable for the type of plastic used in the ring. Most of the strength of the join is carried by the staple ... the glue was really to keep the staple in place rather than to hold the ring together.

I have a Toshiba V-M30 which will no longer play. Reverse and fast forward still work. Any chance it is repairable?

The HFR70 has a metal (brass?) ring...

To Craig Peterson: You most likely only need a new capstan belt. The Toshiba I had once used a belt drive for the capstan which looked rather like the part that would fail the quickest. It can be found on the underside of the unit.

Craig, what happens when you try to play a tape ?

To Richard again...

looking at the plastic loading ring pulled from an old SL-2000 I see that the subassemblies for the pop-up guide posts are screwed onto the ring and thus individually replaceable. You'll need a set of jeweller's screwdrivers 'cause they're held with very small screws. You might want to magnetize the driver tip so that you can keep hold of the screws when working with them. Best of luck in reviving that SL-HFR 70.

Hello. I have recently gotten back into Beta recording, and I picked up this great GCS-50 deck. I was wondering if anyone knew where I can get a rackmount kit for it. I remember seeing the GCS-50 rackmounted sometime in the past, so I know it is possible. -Thanks

to Adam; Try http://www.markertek.com Markertek is a broadcast video supply place they may have stock rackmount kits available for your unit's dimensions.

To Adam:

Did you get a user manual or s/c operator manual with your GCS-50 deck? I am desperately looking for one.

Gerhard

For sale Hf950 with remote. London Area. Send me an email bid and it could be yours!

I have some betamax Sony blank video tapes for sale some are still in original wrappers. There are 10 of them, DX L-750 Dynamicron. If anyone wants to make me an offer for them, please feel free. Thanks.

We have a virtually brand new Sanyo 7250 SuperBeta VCR machine which we are giving away free [otherwise we'll trash] to the first person who contacts me by email and gets an appointment to turn up here and cart the thing away. No shipping or other arrangements! We are a non-profit children's centre dealing with autism and the Sanyo was used to video our training sessions. Needs to be a fast turnaround on this!

Hi all! I recently found a Sony SL-HF505 Superbeta Hi-Fi VCR and purchased it for my collection. The SL-HF505 is the internal Japanese version of the SL-HF550 released in the USA in 1986. Since this is a domestic Japanese model, it runs on 100V instead of the standard 110-120V used here in the United States. I am looking for a step-down transformer/voltage regulator to plug into my SL-HF505 to convert 110/120v into 100v to feed my Japanese standard VCR. Does anyone here know who makes such a step-down regulator/transformer, and where such an item might be sold or direct-ordered from? I check the local Circuit City, Best-Buy, and Radio Shack, and all they had were 220 to 110 converters for European voltage, which doesn't help me much here. Thanks for any input or tips regarding locating a 120/100v converter for my domestic Japanese Super Beta Hi-Fi. Howard.

I actually saw a Japanese HF-900 with one of those step-down transformers on E-bay a while back...

Your best best is either one of those electrical supply places contracters go to or one of those specialty import stores that cater to the needs of the local Asian immigrant community.

I have a SONY SL-T50ME. The problem I having is a snowy screen. I can hear the words to the movies perfectly, and I can a slight hint of picture, but for the most part, it is all snow. What can I do? Please help me. if any of you are local, please call me at my job... 214-978-0702. I would really appreciate it.

Angelique,I had a Sanyo with that problem.I ran a tape on play for an hour or so and it started playing fine. I haven't had any problems since.

To Angelique - most likely the heads are dirty. If you can find one, get a Beta head cleaning tape. If you can't find a head cleaning tape careful use of a cotten swab ought to do the trick - it's the big round silver thingie...

Just wondering if you ever have a chance to take advantage of youe SL-T50ME 's PAL or SECAM capabilities...

by the way you may want to check to see if the RF out channel (3 or 4) matches the channel tuned to the TV. Sometimes it gets switch from sat 3 to 4 and if you're still tuning to channel 3 you'll get a lousy picture (and no doubt be going nuts thinking the VCR's broke till you look behind and find that somehow the RF thing got switched - and you feel like a big dufus...)

Not that that's ever happened to me.... ;>)

Does anyone have a sony sl hf400 with an owners manual. I am having trouble getting the channels programmed into it. It works great otherwise but I don't have an owners manual. HELP.....

Scott... I have the SL-HF400 manual... don't have a scanner, but will type in and email you the part on presettng channels if noone else can send you a "picture" of the pages. Let me know by email.

I have a problem with my Sony SL-C44PS. It all happened after a mains voltage fault - perhaps there was an overvoltage. When I plug mains cord to a socket display lights up and shows a clock. When I press key 'On' drum starts to rotate and rotates for some time. Then machine goes to Standby mode. It is possible to make a clock setup but I can not make machine to load a tape and to start any tape operations. It also is not possible to switch to TV station. I have replaced a voltage regulator IC STR1229 in power supply. I am afraid that the main processor (MB8421-113M) on SYSCON board is dead. If it is so does anybody have any suggestions for replacing it. It seems that it is quite impossible to find this IC here in my region.