FOR SALE.....SONY HVC 4000 COLOUR VIDEO CAMERA IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. UNUSED FOR SOME TIME, COMES COMPLETE WITH CARRY CASE. OFFERS

DOES ANYONE IN THE UK HAVE AN SLHF 950 VCR FOR SALE, HOW MUCH?.

Remo,

Getting a suitable transformer should be easy. You can make an auto transformer out of a "world use" 110V/240V input to what ever output secondary voltage transformer by just using the input. The neutral side is common to input and output, The active lead goes to the 110V tap and the O/P 240V comes from the 240V tap - easy! Make sure the transformer is large enough as I said, about 100 Volt/Amps.

regard Noel Higgins

Hey, I'm looking for anyone that has any old recordings of the NBC's daytime soaps, Days Of Our Lives, Another World, And Santa Barbara from around 1984, 1985, with the commercials and themes. please let me know if you have any old betamax tapes of these soaps and would like to get rid of them....Adam

hey girl whats up not doin much just bing bored..............well if you get this e-mail me back at [email protected] it girl mack you a better e-mail latter k miss you much much.........tell your mommy and popo i said hi

There's a 950ES on ebay.de. The person who sells it wil include if the bid goes upper than 427EURO he will include 300 tapes with the video and between them there is a PRO-X tape!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1329378583

http://cgi.ebay.de/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1329378583

I am in posession of an old Sony Model HVC 2500 Color Video Camera. Am looking for any info I can get on it. It was given to me and has no handbook to explain how it works, or how it records. Is it compatitable with todays VCR's.

Hey guys, does anyone else here prints their own labels for their beta tapes? I started doing it recently and have been mighty pleased w/ the results. First problem was finding sheets of totally blank white labels for the wider faces of betacam "G" tapes. A look on Googol labded me here: http://www.professionallabel.com . It was a bit of money up front to buy the labels and the designing software, but now I don't look back. (Already had a photo-quality inkjet.)

First set I made was/is for the "Queer As Folk" series, Season 1, of which I'm working on Season 2 now. Taping each week's episode off Showtime using my HF900! So I added loads of color, designs and even "doctored" pictures of the characters from the show to the labels (also, inserts for the outsides of the cases). For example, them holding a banner on a few of them that says "SuperBeta Hifi", "Beta IS Better!" or a beta logo. Got a little humorous there. If I ever decide to make a good website, I'll stick up some pics.

Anyhow, I was just wondering if anyone does it and how creative they became?

To Madness:

I've been printing video labels for years - but then again, I editand duplicate media for a living. You should get good results withyour inkjet printer - especially if it's a fairly recent model. Theonly downside to using an inkjet printer is that the printing willrun if it gets wet. In my work I use an old HP LaserJet II and a LaserJet III. Bothreal workhorses and they have a relatively straight paper path - which results in few problems when printing label stock. If you are looking to get labels for other types of media - youmight want to check out http://www.veriad.com. They also sell a variety ofsleeves and packaging for video and audio media.

I have two Beta machines, a Sony SL-HF-600 and a Sanyo VCR4030. I am wondering about a curious design difference between the two machines. On the Sony, when you look into the cassette door, the head drum is on the left-hand side of the cassette deck, and on the Sanyo it's on the right, so the tape loads in the exact opposite direction. It's dosen't seem to affect performance, neither machine has trouble playing tapes that were recorded on the other, but I am just wondering why the difference? Another thing. The Sony machine hops right from stop to play or record and back real smooth, but on the Sanyo, whenever I press PLAY, REC, or STOP, it makes these horrible crunching sounds before starting up. Does anyone know what could be wrong?

To Andy; Assuming there's nothing wrong with your Sanyo (tapes play fine, no 'nibble' marks etc.) that 'horrible crunching sound' you hear is the tape being laced onto the head drum. You see, Sanyo decks, like most older VHS machines, keep the tape unlaced between functions whereas Sony Beta decks lace the tape upon instertion and will only unlace it when you eject the tape.

Dave A.: Thanks for the information! My inkjet is about a year old so it's cool. I also have an old TI laser w/ HP Laserjet II emulation, but I'm having one hell of a time finding a new toner kit for it! Such an old model. The thought about possibly having the labels run could be solved maybe by buying a roll of clear "contact paper" and overlaying the labels w/ that to protect them. Could humidity affect it too?

Before I go to Ebay, I thought I'd offer the following machines to people how truly love Betamax's-

All Beta's are NTSC, available for shipping within USA or Canada. Shiping cost would be additional to price, usually a max of $25 US using UPS Ground.

All have been tested for record/playback, and can play back tapes recorded on a wide variety of machines (from my collection).

1. Sony SL-2400C Mono Slimline, Silver, good condition. Asking $65

2. Sony SL-100 Mono, SuperBeta, Black, No flip door, fair condition. Asking $65

3. Sanyo VCR-7250 SuperBeta HiFi, Black, Excellent condition, original remote, easily the best Sanyo Beta ever made, with record-playback performance equal to my HF-1000. New Drive rubber. Asking $130.00

4. Radio Shack / Realistic Model 22 - Excellent condition, a clone of the 7250 above, Silver with black, original manual, new drive rubber - a rare machine. Asking $130.00

5. Sony SL-HF300 Beta-HiFi, Silver, all panels, front panel clips replaced with velcro. Good condition, photocopied manual. Asking $130.00

6. Rare combo - SL-HFR50 with HFP-100 Beta HiFi processor, excellent condition, original remote, perfect freeze frame. You would have difficulty finding a better performing set. Asking $150.00

Any questions or offers welcome, trades might be considered - looking for Sanyo portable Beta HiFi, and pieces to help me rebuild SL-HF750's

[email protected]

I recommend Hp 500c mine never let me down,But if quality are important get a modern espon as modern Hp printers have problems with the buttons and have cheap mechs

I don't know the model number but I have a Sony Hi Fi Stereo. It's the one that came in two sections the top is suppose to sit on the amplifier to make stereo sound. I need the amplifier section. I have no idea what it will cost.

I also have one of the first console models with the Sony 19' TV and betamax in the cabinet. The betamax will not work because a couple of springs are missing. I would sell the thing but I don't know what to ask for it. Since it weighs about 150 lbs. it would probably cost a fortune to ship it anywhere.

Sony put out two HiFi processors the HFP-100 and the HFP -200. The HFP-100 simply enabled HiFi recording and allowed stereo input but the tuner signal was still a mono one. The HFP 200 added MTS stereo reception and the SAP channel to the HiFi Ready series VCRs. Curiously while it would record a HiFi signal on the tape the VCR (ours was an SL-HFR 60) would only play back the linear track through the RF output. You had to use the A/V outputs to hear the HiFi tracks. ('Pure' SL-HF VCRs would output the HiFi track mixed to a mono signal on the RF output)

At any rate there's an HFP-100 for auction on E-bay at URL http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1331240875

As of this moment there were no bidders at a starting bid of $20.

It seems an HFP -200 for the start bid of $5 just went up for bid...

URL http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1331440223

I need the schematics for sony sl-c7 ec

I have several Betas. The most recent being a SL900. I have the origional remotesfor these machines and they don't seem to be interchangeable. I am thinking of buying RMT-373A remote with a schuttle wheel. Will it work withthe SL900? Will it work with an SL400. I see betas advertised with a varity of remotesfor the same models. What makes them compatible?

Thanks for any replies

Question for ya's: On the SLO-1400 and -1800, what does the head-hour meter signify when it reaches the max? Heads need to fully cleaned? Or replaced? The meters are no where near the max on my units, was just wondering in advance. ;)

To Opera: All the Sony Beta remotes use the VTR-1 command set, so they should operate at least the basic features on any other Sony deck (power, transport functions, tuner, etc.). Some of the remotes have advanced features specific to only a few models (like the shuttle dial, slo-mo, editing etc.). W/ the HF900 in particular, it's interesting that it's original remote (RMT-125) didn't come w/ a shuttle dial, whereas those for the HF750 & HF1000 did. I can't remember if the HF900's shuttle is remote-controllable or not. I'm not @ home, so I can't test it now (if anyone has it handy, please enlighten). But as for your remote-to-purchase, you'll have to see if it supports VTR-1. I use an RMT-1000TX remote for my HF750 and it controls most of the features, including the shuttle dial. It was originally for a Mini/DV deck, but it has a VTR command selector (i.e. 1: Beta; 2: 8mm; 3: VHS; 4-6 DV, etc.). So, that's about that.

Hello again folks! Solved the SLHF950 problem mentioned above. Found a suitable power supply and, indeed, the deck plays in PAL on my TV. But now I have a new problem: Picked up an SLHF500 deck from a garage sale two days ago for ten bucks. Took it home; seems to work but has a peculiar problem: It doesn't seem to like commercial prerecorded tapes! Will play homemade tapes recorded on itself (and it records fine!) as well as any others in my collection. However, put in any commercial tape, it plays for a few seconds, then the picture and sound drop out, like I had hit stop, and the counter stops advancing. Yet the "tape motion" graph on the display is moving forward and I can see the tape reels moving through the top window! I've owned a lot of beta machines over the years but have never seen anything like this! Any "beta gurus" out there have any ideas on this one?

My sony remote RM-AV2000 has lost the setting for my DVD (which is also a Sony) and when I attempt to set the code for the DVD it gives me the AMP screen. I can select between the VD/DVD, but when I select DVD it also shows the AMP component (select) blinking. Therefore, it thinks its setting the AMP component rather than the DVD. Any idea what is happening or how to fix it.

A quick show of hands...

How many of you Betaphiles out there are taping all or part of the Olympic Games on your Beta VCR at this very moment? I'm doing the opening and closing ceremonies.

MADNESS & OPERA, I have the RMT-V373A and it works very well on my HF750. It has VTR1 and VTR2 and VTR3. The Jog/Shuttle wheel works OK; when you turn the wheel either way the tape you're viewing goes into the pause mode and then you can "Special Effects" whatever is on. In otherwords very slo-mo to 2X play speed and FF and F REW. It has a TV/VTR switch in case ya got a Sony TV. Also, Data Screen and Counter Reset as well as the Indexing features. It pretty well covers the HF750, and I would presume the HF1000 and up. IIRC it was for a Sony S-vhs deck. Later. Pepse.

To Remo:I think your audio/control head is out of calibration...The VCR dont pick the control signal on the tape.

Regards

Emil Jensen

To Emil: But why only prerecorded tapes?? If it's the A/C head, I might be able to see it liking only tapes recorded on it, but every homemade tape, regardless of what machine I originally made it on, plays back with no trouble.

To REMO

I would check the tape on the commercial videos if I were you. I have had some damaged second hand tapes where the width has changed due to edge damage or the edge has a sort of ripple effect where the tape has been stretched by a poorly adjusted tape path. The result is the tape does not pull tight on your control head or overlap it enough and hence it drops out. Anyway, who gets new commercial tapes these days?

Aussie B1

Ah, REMO - Pushing the send button always brings on another thought. (Good old Murphy) The control head on you "new machine" might be dably worn and have a step in it. The variation in tension and wear etc between different tapes could also cause the tape ride over the step and lose tracking signal. - GOOD LUCK!

Does anyone know where I can purchase a BetaMax vcr?

Hi AllI have just got 20 Beta tapes from Yahoo auctions, they all seem to be in great shape. But I have noticed one of the tapes is a BASF Chromeoxide. I'm sure I read on this message board that it wasn't a good idea to use this kind of tape in a standard Beta machine. Can anyone tell me if I read that right, and if so why isn't it a good idea to use this form of tape.Thanks Rob.

Noel: I have a large collection of prerecorded titles. The 500 doesn't like any of them. Yet they play without trouble on any of my other machines (except, of course, the 950 ). I just don't get it.

Another candidate for the dilusional expectations file. This guy thinks he can get $249 - $399 for an boxed (unopened) SL-10.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1331544291

To Rob:Chrome tapes is the standard in every home video system (VHS, Beta & Video2000)Its Beta SP tapes, there are no good for the videoheads in your beta machine... These are Metal Particle tapes!

Best regards

Emil jensen

i have been running a sony c7 on a "sting and sellotape" basis for years ,i am not very technical so any replies would be appreciated in plain english if at all possible,my machine works fine but i have recently fitted some new rubber drive bands and since then it takes forever to rewind a tape . is there any form of adjustment to get the rewind speed back to normal?

To Emil: Thanks for the info on the tapes Emil, I'll use that BASF now!Cheers Rob.

To Remo,I had the same "no play" problem on a SL-HF-400.I solved the problem with a new pinch roller.My 400 would only play L-500's and not L-750's or studio tapes.The pinch roller gets worn and deflects the tape away from the ACE head.Hope this solves your problem!

I´m looking for a Super Batamax SL-HF77 users manual.Anyone can help?

Carlos, assuming you mean the SL-HFT 7 and not SL-HF77, I do have said manual that I can make you a copy of. Email me direct and we'll go from there. Later. Pepse.

Ive a couple of machines, a SLC9 & a SLC35As

my problem is with the SLC35As, ive rebuilt this one from spares that i got from another machine. the problem is that i can work out the placement of the gears on the carrige mechanisim. one of them had chipped theath, and i replaced it, but just cant get the timing right.

anyone know exactly how to place the gears?

The Slc35as produces a much clearer and sharper picture compared to the C9, i think its video head disc might need to be replaced.. i have another in a second Slc35as, would this fit in there? i havent tested it and dont even know if its worse than the one in there, is it an easy job to change??

I'm in perth west australia.

Sorry this isn't to do with betas but I have a Answering Machine (an Answercall, Challenger, Autopaging Facility, Double standards cassettes, full feature remote control)It was one of the most advanced Answering Machines in the world, I can use the basics (recording greeting playing and deleting messages etc) but not the autopaging facility.However I do think that your suppose to ring up dialling the codes using a tone phone and operate the machine, or it's rings you when you have messages.If anyone have one or manual or knows how to use one I will be gratefull I can send you a pic if u want to prove it existence just email me

Thanks anyway

:-)

To Mad Beta Collector; Try seeing if the manufacturer - if it's still around - has a website(usually WWW.manufacturer'sname.COM). ATT will send you a copy of some of their manuals for free (at least when I needed one for a 2-way phone I got at a garage sale in '92-3 - they might be stingier nowadays...). If it's a Radio Shack model, they have a Faxbackª program that will send the instuctions to your fax machine - if you have one. Or you can download whatever you need from the site.

By the way if you have a Radio Shack Model 10 Beta machine they have instuctions and technical drawings of that particular unit available online at URL... http://support.tandy.com/support_video/26324.htm

Just wondering.. How many Beta units did Radio Shack market? I know of the Models 10 and 20. Were there any others?

Hi, I have a SL-C9E and I have following problem. In normal playback the picture is not the best, but good. When i now change to pauseor x2 or one of the frame displays i have a lot of snow on picture. In picture searchforward and rewind the picture is good. The second problem is that i think some times forward drive motor stops. then afterthe capstan some tape comes out and the machine stops. This also happens in fforward.can someone please help me?

...herbert

Hi All, I'm looking for a user manual for a SL-F25UB, does anyone have one they no longer need?Cheers Rob.

Hi Everyone!

I am looking for a copy of an operation manual for my Sony SL-700.If anyone has one or can make me a photocopy it would REALLY beappreciated! Many thanks!

To Olive Thomas

Tried that ages ago they make phones not Bid website of some sort, I rang answercall manufacture 2 weeks ago they said it was too old, It's only 10-15yrs old Huh I thought they had to wait 20-30yrs till they can get rid of manual and spare part at least that what they used to do with videos and t.vs!

To Mad; Oh well it was worth a shot... Those are the methods I would try for manuals. Nowadays a year is ancient history for most manufacturers... hell five minutes out the door is ancient history... after all there's no money in post-sale customer service these days, it seems. Who'dve thought the 80s would be the 'good old days' for quality consumer products.

Ah the Early eighties.The best Tvs Videos and lifestyleTv channels were a lot better then as well.:-)

I have an ailing SLHF950, I think the PSU has taken a dive, can anybody point me in the right direction for a replacement ?Please mail direct.Regards, Gary

I would like to know what's the main difference between SL-HF650 & SL-HF550? Aside from a sleeker appearence, a tape view window on the top of the chasis, and Super Beta Switch in the front, these seems to be the only difference I can tell. Any clue?

To Mike Yang: The SL-HF 650 adds an "X2" high speed playback button and the slow control has variable setting "-" and "+" buttons. Otherwise it's almost identical to the SL-HF 450. THe SL-HF 550 has separate left and right audio level controls and the slow controls are "1/10" and "1/5" speed buttons. The 450, 550 and 650 all feature SuperBeta on/off switches under the flip down panel.

To Mad-BC: Ah, the 80's! I'm a child of that glorious decade and often miss it. I can remember the days when MTV played videos 24/7! I even recorded many using my dad's "big old beta", an SL-5800 top-loader. It finally croaked around '91, but I still have the MTV tapes, and while they don't sound the best in mono, the picture is still really good! Of course, my mom had to spoil it all by buying a VHS in '86! But wouldn't ya say that we're all keeping a piece of the 80's alive by using and collecting our betas? :)

METAL TAPE this is an e-mail sent to me about metal tape and why you shouldn't use in stanard Beta VTR,s

In my experience of Betacam broadcast VTRs, although Metal tapes would seem torecord and playback OK, in the older Betacam machines they tended to frequently clog the video heads, and the shed material is EXTREMELY difficult to remove.

I'd actually replaced three head drums (thinking they were damaged) before aguy at Sony told me what was really happening. He gave me a special cleaningtape that you are meant to only run for a couple of seconds at a time, and NOTrewind. This did the trick, and I've never been able to clean the shed metalpowder off the heads any other way.

I don't know how much of this is relevant to your problem, because although alot of Betaphiles believe that TV broadcasters use "Beta" for studio recorders,this is somewhat misleading - Betacam really has very little in common withdomestic Betamax; Sony simply took advantage of the mass-produced Betamaxcassette housings to hold the Betacam tape rather than designing a new one.

However, I believe the "SP" Betacams (designed for metal tape) have to havespecially polished heads to avoid the metal powder shedding problem. I knowthis is why JVC decided not to use metal tapes for their S-VHS system, despitethe advantages this would have brought them.

Regards,

Jim Murdoch

To Madness: Congrats on unloading that SL-HF 500 that can't play prerecorded tapes but can play everything else. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1332879901 $65 bux. I'm sure your 'friend' is really happy ;-}

Olive: There's no lie there. The deck does, in fact, belong to my friend Remo. I didn't notice until recently that he had posted a few messages concerning it on here. But he decided to unload it rather than spend $212 for Sony to look at it (that was the quote he got from the repair center for just labor)! So I listed it for him.

To Madness: I'd checked back and noticed that it was Remo that was posting about the hinkey SL-HF 500. Still it struck me as funny to see your posting on E-bay. Sorta like seeing one of your old high school teachers at a bar or mall or something like that...

I'm looking for a copy of the Sony SL-C9 Service Manual with schematics. Can anyone help?

Regards,Mike

Olive: Ya, might've been. The deck is his and he had asked me to take alook at it. So, I tried a new pinch roller and it made no difference. I simply listed it for him cuz it's over @ my house. And while he has an eBay account, he never sold anything, so he asked me to do it. Mighta looked funny but there's always a method to my...um...Madness!

Someone please tell me what is the best website to purchase a Betamax Player from a retailer. Thanks for your help all!

Hello.Is there a vhs tape that can include a betmax?I have no betamax vedio and I want to run my old betamax tapes in my VCRWhere can I have such a tape?

(voice in my head) do not scream... do not scream... do not scream... do not scream... do not scream... do not scream....

They've really got to put a notice on top of this page that there is no adapter available to play a Beta tape inside a VHS machine and that it's technically impossible to do so and that the only way to play a beta tape is to go on E-bay and bid for one there. It would save a whole lot of grief...

do not scream... do not scream... do not scream... do not scream... do not scream....

Has anybody tried to insert Audio only on the 950 It is only non Beta-HiFi. Is there any way to insert only audio in Beta-HiFi (in video+audio insert it uses Beta-HiFi). And if the C9 does beta-hifi recordings or it is only stereo?Did the hf99 had true Beta-HiFi audio-only insert?

I'll try to see if there's a way to do it.

Regards to all,

Casimir.

Hi

I have sixteen used (recordable) betamax tapes if anyone's interested - they have various old eighties progs still on them which have all (hopefully) been copied to vhs by now - stuff like Fame, The A-Team and, er, Torvill and Dean (?!?). We also have a Sanyo machine somewhere (don't know which one yet - I'll try and dig it out) cos I think some of the tapes need rewinding. Anyway, there are Scotch EG L750 x 4; BASF L750 chromdioxid x 2; Scotch 3M L750 x 4; Scotch 3M L500 x 2 and 4 unlabelled ones. Last time I checked (last summer) they all seemed to be in pretty good nick. If you're interested, make me an offer - I'm not expecting a lot, obviously. Ta.

Donna

To Casimir As far as I know it is impossible to insert only the HiFi audio on the 950 since it uses the video heads to do so. You can insert video and HiFi audio at the same time with or w/o the linear audio. As far as I know no HiFi VHS or Beta deck has the ability. I have top end Beta decks in both PAL and NTSC dont have it and suspect the same for VHS.

As far as the C9 is concerned it has a very flakely linear stereo with a noise reduction system I am not too fond of. Tapes made on a C( sound poor when played back on any VCR that does not have the noise reduction system. I used to have one and have a number of tapes made on it that have poor sound on my 950. I do belive you could insert the audio onto either of the tracks although since I don't own one anymore and it has been about 6 years since I have I would not swear to this.

I've got one of that first Sony VHS vcr with lots of festures (Real video/audio insert, a huge remote with lots of buttons, PinP, and that incredible hope that it could be a betamax if Sony would triumph with his bad marketing but perfect (almost) betamax). I've tried to to insert only audio and seems that video reads the traditional stereo chanels chanels (stereo; main/l; sub/r). To Alan: Do you have the HF2100 and tried to do so

Looking for info and or opinion on which model Super Beta was the best all around unit Built by SonyThanks

Sorry for the cut message above. I lost my internet connection.

Tom: Best all-around units: SL-HF1000 & 2100; ED-Betas? Most popular/desireable: HF900 & 750. I stuck a question mark on 1st lot cuz I don't own either (but I wish!); speculating there. I do own both a 750 & 900 and they're my pride & joy. And in my opinion, the HF900 is the minimum "must have" for any serious betaphile's collection! ;)

I have a question concerning the Sl-2000 and TT2000 I just bought. On the tuner there is a charge button, and when I push it nothing happens.But if I turn off the unit and push the button it clicks once and the machine goes dead, until I pull the power cord out of the outlet and plug it back in.Could there be a blown fuse inside or does this indicate a more serious problem.I was just trying to check the battery thats inside the 2000 to see if it would hold a charge.BTW- This machine has Videola where others I have seen on Ebay say Swing Search.

To Wayne:Sounds like the battery is simply bad. Many times when NI-CD batteries sit and go down to zero volts, the positive and negative terminals will be shorted (or very near it), which could cause the protection circuit to cut the power off until you unplug and plug it in again. After that the battery will never again take a charge. You'll need to either buy another one, or rebuild the one you have.

To Wayne: are you talking about the NP-1 battery that makes the SL-2000 a portable unit? ...or the little battery in the TT-2000 that supposedly backs up the clock/timer unit?

NP-1s the battery used for the SL-2000 are a standard broadcast media product and reasonably obtainable http://www.batterybank.com for about $50.

The small battery in the TT-2000 board should also be obtainable, though it's rather pointless to bother replacing as it's easy enough to reprogram the tuner if the power fails...

Hi Everyone!

Just a short note to mention that I have 10 brand new Sony High GradeL-750s listed for sale on eBay. Current bid is $25.00. Will sell tothe highest bidder for bid + actual UPS or FedEx Ground shipping costs.Item number is 1332642810. Don't put someone's junk in your Betamax!

Hey all, was curious about something: The Betastack changers. If I remember right, there was the model AG-300 for the top-loaders like the SL-5600/5800 and the model AG-500 for the front-loading decks, SL-2500/ SLO-420. I just purchased an SL-2710 off eBay and notice from the pictures it has a changer port on the back (I assume the 2700 does, too). From pictures I've seen of the AG-500 changer, it's control panel matches the 2500/420. So is there another model I'm not aware of for the 2700/2710? Or is it, indeed, the AG-500? I just think it'd be nifty to get ahold of one (well, maybe)!

does anyone know what a nice sl-25 sony with remote would sell for...nothing wrong with it,,just wondering what its worth?

To Madness: I've found several differnt tape changer models including the AG-120 for the SL-7200. An AG -200 for top-loaders in addition to the AG-7 for the PAL SL-C7 and the AG-90 for the SL-C9 which was probably sold in the US as the AG-500 you're talking about. Assuming the AG-500 didn't need to physically push the buttons of the VCR like the toploading changers did,then the AG-500 should be able to work with any VCR designed for it. At any rate the buttons of an SL-2700 are in the same position as those on an SL-2500 so any little mechanical 'fingers' coming out of the changer should be able to press record when they need to if attached to an SL-2700. Since the SL-2710 locates the record button way away from the other tape operation controls, one can only assume that the AG-500 would have to be an all electronics controller to be able to work on the SL-2710. Or a really long 'finger' emerges from the side of the Betastack to hit the record switch....

I am looking for a Beta VCR cleaning tape. Any one have a clue?

I found mine beta cleaning tape in a charity in box never been used.How strange

a charity shop...

According to the Australian Betamax page ( http://users.bigpond.com/jsparkin/ ), the Betastack for the SL-2500 would control the VCR via the changer port, just like a wired remote control. I assume this is true, since a long time ago the actual IR remote sensor failed on my SL-2710 and I had to replace a fuse on a small board where the changer port is located to fix it.

Since the 2500, 2700, 2710 almost have the same footprint, well, the 2710 is slightly different but the cassette housing position and the whole unit's dimensions are alike, I assume they all can use the same betastack unit. My only concern is about how it holds in place. I can't seen any hooks or screw holes anywhere on both 2700 and 2710, and I guess the changer is a heavy unit when filled with tapes.

In the 2710 user's manual they describe the Changer port as a port for connecting an optional cassette changer, but they do not suggest any model, nor they give further details. So maybe there never was a changer designed for this one.

And for the guy with the infamous adapter inquiry. You don't need an adapter. Just force your beta tape into your VHS deck with a hammer.

Got one other one for ya: Messing w/ an SL-5200 that I got awhile ago but hadn't looked at till now. It loads and plays but it looks like it's "dragging" the tape. Like it's running at the wrong speed. This is really apparent if I play a mono tape or switch to linear. There's a wow like an audio tape running too slow. And transient noise moving thru the picture. I confirmed that from making a recording.

It looks to me like it needs the belts replaced, and maybe the idler tire. I can see one of the belts looks like it's warped. Two of them seem to control the loading and a 3rd drives the take-up reel. Then there's a rubber idler tire that drives the supply reel. Could the dragging be due to any of these? And if so, where could I acquire replacements? If anyone could find the Sony part numbers, that would help, too.

Other the the video noise (which, again, I believe is due to the wrong tape speed), it looks like the picture is clear enough to assume that the heads are OK.

To Threly [date 13th Feb]

You ask about info on fixing an HF950 power supply, and you ask to be contacted directly. Well, your e-mail doesn't work, so either repost, or contact me, and I will give you some info on repairing it. You'll need a basic understanding of electronics and experience with a soldering iron.

Also, on a completely different point, I once had a philips VHS "Matchline" machine [Matchline was philips' top end stuff and it integrated with your HiFi] - anyway, this machine had the ability to do all kinds of insert functions including putting a new picture over the top of an existing one, whilst leaving the HiFi sound track intact!! THe quality was not the best, but it was possible. I guess they just used a lower recording current for the video signal, and switched off the HiFi sound heads. Remember on PAL decks, it's not the video heads that write and read the HiFi sound - we have to have a separate pair of heads on the drum at a different position and angle and the signal is recorded depth-multiplex further into the tape. It couldn't replace the hifi audio, leaving the picture alone.

The only machine I have that can do HiFi audio dub is the Sony EVS1000 Hi8 deck - and that's because the PCM digital audio is recorded as a burst of signal at the end of the vision track. The tape is wrapped 227degrees round the head, not the standard 189degrees as with all other domestic formats. This gives longer tracks, with room for more info, and as such, the heads can be switched from read to write, partway through the scan, so you get to see the top half of your picture, then blanking, then you write your new HiFi sound.

Oh, and one final point, Hi8 seems to be immune to Macrovision too, but the tapes are still too bloody expensive. Shame you can't use 8mm Data cartridges [though you can use them on normal Video8] coz they're really cheap now, like less than a quid each for 3hr tape.

Madness & anybody else interested.....

The SL-5200 uses lots of belts, but the main speed determining point in any tape machine is the capstan, so I'd start there.

Part Numbers are:3-671-253-00 Belt, Capstan3-671-077-00 Belt, FF3-671-098-00 Belt, Threading3-671-078-00 Belt, FWD3-671-120-00 Belt, Relay3-671-094-00 Belt, Counter

Good Luck!!

To Madness: I've seen that a lot of the SL-5xxx chassis frontloaders seem to have a problem with the tape 'slowing down'. The one we used to have did that and I was able to fix it by adjusting the SPEED DET 'pot' on the control board holding the tracking knob. I think the explaintion for that was because the capstan motor itself builds up some resistance over time and doesn't spin as fast as it used to at whatever setting it was given at the factory so you have to ask for more speed. Anyways I felt really accomplished with that fix...

I had two other 5200's that were working perfectly and sold 'em, but I never actually opened them up. So I was completely taken by surprise by the layout when I opened this particular deck up! I'd adjust the speed pot as olive suggested but it looks like a bit of a hassle to get at it since the tracking control is at the very bottom of the deck.

Also, what's the easiest way to remove that huge shield/board covering the head drum? I can't figure it out to get at the capstan and pinch roller. Suppose maybe a service manual might also help? Thanks for the part numbers, too (just in case).

hi i have a sl-hf950 for sale its the top of the range where the front slides out there is know remote but is in working condition dont know value make me an offer i am in the uk

regards jase

To Madness: Well if the tracking board is at the bottom of the machine it should be easy enough to remove the bottom plate to get at it, shouldn't it?

Yeah, it was alot easier than I thought, but I hadta remove the front panel, 1st. I marked the control's default position and adjusted it up & down. It slowed & sped the linear sound a little bit but didn't make any difference to the picture. I checked the capstan belt but it looks like it's tight. I suppose I can try replacing all the belts if I can get replacements. Unless there's anything else I should check?

Try the 1 2 & 3 HCAP pots. These control the settings for all the individual speed. On the SL-5000 I had, I had to set them all the way to the left.

Oops! I was mistaken. I dug out a spare SL-5000 PC board that I'd copied the settings of the SL-5000 I had fixed (so that if I get hold of another 5000, I'll know what worked before). The HCAP settings were set all the way to the right - not left. There were a couple other controls PG(A) andPG(B) that had gone in for readjusting. PG(A) was set 45¼ to the right of centerline and PG(B) was set 45¼ the the left of centerline. This seemed to resolve some tracking problems. By the way the SPEED DET on my 5000 board is set about 45¼ to the left of center.

Olive: Ok, I tried those controls and it looks like the picture improved a bit, but there's still a noise transient passing thru it from bottom-to-top of the screen. The PC/A & PC/B controls are turned in towards one another (45º each: / ). I turned all the HCAP controls to the far right. Is it possible that I may have to adjust any of the other pots: Drum-Free (RV-6,7,9), Lock Phace (RV-8), Tracking (RV-10) & Drum Shift (RV-11)? Does the 5000 use the same SS-18 board? The other thing I noticed today is that the tape doesn't play in beta hifi unless I hit the "X2" button. Then the light goes on. I suppose it couldn't hurt to replace ALL the belts then try those controls again? I have all their defaults marked. I must be on the right track tho, since the picture improved a bit.

To Madness: My PG(A) & PG(B) were positioned in a way that they had to be st 45¼ away from each other. Also it might clarify thing to note that what I consider 'centerline'. The Pots on my reference board have three legs with two of them standing together (base) and a third at the opposite end(the centerline mark).

Of the other pots on this board LOCK PHASE is turned all the way to the right, DRUM FREE & DRUM SHIFT are dead center.

There is only the external TRA CON tracking control on my reference board but if you have an adjustable internal TRA CON, adjusting that might help things though if you clear up the rolling without it you should adjust the internal TRA CON so it'll properly play tapes recorded on itself first, than try to get it as close as it can to playing other machine's tapes without external adjustment without losing self play ability.

VCR parts from StudioSound sell VCR beltkits http://www.iglou.com/studiosound/index.htm#video . I'd check with them about getting belts for your unit.

To Madness: the reference board I'm reading from is an SS-9 board. Whether or not this invalidates everything I mentioned, I don't know. I did find an internal TRACON (RV-10) pot and mine's set to centerline and I only have the one DRUM FREE (RV-9) pot.

By the way the Japanese predeliction for confusing "R's" and "L's" seems to apply to this board. the LOCK PHASE (RV-8) pot is noted as a 'ROCK PHASE' pot on the green side of the board.

The JVC people must've hit me with some voodoo confusion powder or death rays from one of their satellites ;>}

They can't stand to see even one Beta live...

Yeah, all those controls are set. The "lock phase" actually sez "lock phace (w/ a "C")" on the board. I played w/ a few of those other controls and I still can't get it clear. So belts are worth a try. Thanks for all the help and advice. :)

As for JVC: I could just imagine them broadcasting subliminal messages to the masses: "Beta is dead. VHS rules!" *cough!* *gag!* To them: "Beta lives on!" Now if only Sony would get the message. *Hint, hint!* :)

Hey Betafans!To Madness and Olive Thomas.I have repaieret lot of SLc-6e theeuropa version of SL5000 and almost everytime when there are capstan servoproblems the problem are dray CAPS.Please replay on SS-9 Board c005-0.47Mfc007-0.1Mf c008-0.22Mf c10-0.33Mf c11-0.33Mf And maby c16-0.47Mf c17-4.7Mfc18-1Mf and im sure you have a good working sL5000. Hope this help you Regards BetacollectorFrom Denmark

Hey, Jan: My deck is the SL-5200. Similar design to the 5000 but is beta hifi. The board in mine is SS-18, but must be almost the same as the SS-9 in the 5000/ C6E. It has all those same pot controls, but I'll look to see if those same caps you mention are on there. Were your C6E 's having a similar problem: Not playing the tape @ right speed causing noise bars &/or a jumpy picture? If so, I suppose replacing the caps is worth a try 1st; belts 2nd. Neither would cost too much.

Hey Madness! "Yes you are right" on SL5200 the servoboard are ss18. I have one SL5200 but no service manual so I take a look inside the SL5200.Its looks almost as servoboard from SL5000 and SLc6E. you must replace a caps near IC1 sony143A. Tray first to replaythe caps lower then 1Mf (typical the caps are blue).Yes same problem as you say.maby every 3 sek you get a clear picture and if you tray to turn the free capstan adj. its only ok for a short time,then snow in the picture again. Sure the CTL head must looks clean and the tape path looks ok.Let me now when yours SL5200 are ok. Regards Jan H.Pedersen

3 sek bad picture

hi there,after a difficult removal from one city to the other, the official men had probably broken my SONY 950 Betamax machine while transpotating it under their arms (!!). When I tried to work with it a few days later, the lights were on when I put the cable into the ACDC. Then I pushed the button for OFF to connect the antenna cable and after this I could no longer get the machine ON. Could someone of you tell me the possible damage or where to look first or where a HP is for a possible hint. The problem is that the company had signed a contract to transportate the HIFI machines professionally but they even forgot to initiate the transportation lock of my 950. For any hints I would thank you. Regards Rolf

To Rolf, re the HF950

I doubt its anything to do with the removal company, more likely the fact that this was the first time in a very long time that the machine has been disconnected from the mains supply. The Switched mode power suppy [SMPS] used in the 950 and many more VCRs is prone to dying after cooling down, then trying to be re-started.

I posted full hints about repairing this last month by using a new laptop style 12V power pack, so check the archive messages if it's gone off the page.

It might be poss to fix the supply, check all the caps, but in particular the 4.7uF-450V and the two switching transistors 2SC3592 [I think?] also, the main supply resistor [3R3, 3W] and all other bits in the PSU.

Good luck. I dont think the carriage will be damaged unless the machine has been dropped.

To Rolf

I had a friend whose 950 wound up needeing new heads because it was transported from the service shop (where it had been for another fault) back home w/o the drawer screws being put back. After a couple of year wait they did replace the ehdas at no charge to him since they had taken the screws out and had them in the shop! He never thought of checking when he picked it up. Seen as how service guys can forget I would find it highly unlikely to think removal men would know about them seeing as how the 950 is a rather uncommon unit.

I'm looking to purchase a Sony Betamax VCR. Any suggestions about where I might find one? Please feel free to contact me directly. Thanks for your help.