AskMrB Questions

Q: My Beta is having several operational issues. Do you have a way of troubleshooting my Beta VCR that goes beyond the tips printed in the owners manual? (Q#2)
A: I have compiled a chart that has most of the troubleshooting tips found in the instruction manuals plus many that aren't. To open this chart click here Another option is to have your Beta professionally service and/or repaired. Go to "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in this Website by clicking here.

Q: I have some beta cassettes that have tape inside that is broken and they are very important to me. Is it okay to splice them? (Q#3)
A: Splicing video tape is not recommended. Video tape is not like audio tape. Getting the end perfectly aligned is critical to a seamless splice and minimum inpact on the expensive video heads. When the studios used to do it the used a special microscope to bring the ends together correctly. For the public it remains nearly impossible to get the two tape ends mated perfectly, and the impact of the video heads hitting a space or overlap can cause them damage. Just as bad would be the splicing tapes adhesive squeezing out into the mechanism and messing things up inside the VCR. The answer to your dilemma then would be to have the tapes loaded into two separate cassettes so they can be played individually with no risk of damage to your machine. A duplicating facility should be able to perform this service for you. If not then contact me regarding your particular need. I have empty cassette shells.

Q: I looked inside my Betamax and it looks like some of the electronics are missing on the printed circuit boards, why are these areas empty? (Q#4)
A: When the board designers traced out the original circuitry they made them for several models. This was a wise cost saving measure and in no way detracts from your unit. Also upgrades and production changes will sometimes allow for components to be deleted without any loss in performance or quality. Sometimes small boards with additional electronics are added to the main board. These can be piggy-backed onto transistors, ICs and other components. When you are releasing models at the rate of three or four new designs every year you want to consolidate and cover as much ground as you can at the best overall cost.

Q: I have white specks showing up in my playback picture, are my heads wearing out? How do I tell if they are going bad? (Q#5)
A: One possibility is the tracking is out of adjustment or unable to be adjusted. Another cause can be playing tapes recorded in SuperBeta in a standard Beta machine. The higher luminance signal of the SuperBeta recording system over modulates the electronics in the standard machines electronics. This can create comet tails or bursting around the image edges. It usually isn't very pronounced and is not a defect or an indication of worn video heads. If the problem persists and if adjusting the tracking will not improve the picture then using my Video Head Cleaning Cassette could help. After that the next option would be to have me perform my reconditioning service. Part of this service is evaluating the recording performance and using the Sony SL-5151 head checker. After evaluation if the heads are found to be wearing out or defective then replacement will be needed. Visually identifying video heads that are wearing out requires some detective work. It looks a lot like the SuperBeta luminance event. At first it appears as small specks of white (and black) that show up mostly to the right of the picture edges. As the heads continue to degrade the bugs will start to grow comet tails and will eventually become lines. Worn heads will also get dirty more often and require more cleaning. But once they go bad, replacement is the only correction. To see more on how to tell if video heads are going bad click the link on the left for video head evaluation or click click here The only video head cleaning tapes I recommend is the type available from me. It works because the binder has a higher lubrication density and the surface is not candled (polished) as much as with conventional consumer tapes. This makes it perform a brushing action to remove graphite and oxide that can stick to the heads contact area. It is the only cassette that is truly friendly to your machine. You can order my video heads cleaning cassette by clicking here (this link will take you to a new page). I do not recommend the wet type cleaner that use a paper or cloth ribbon. They can snag on the sharp edges on the sides of the heads as they spin and can cause damage. Keeping this in mind, I cannot express enough how important it is to have your precious Beta professionally serviced as dictated by the service manual. This is the only true way to maintain the picture quality and operating prowess that the unit is capable of producing. To inquire about reconditioning or repair click here. Another source of noise in the picture is EMIs crossing over into the circuits. To get ride of these pest you might need a line filter. To find out more click here.

Q: How can you tell if video tape is wearing out? (Q#6)
A: Video tape can wear out in a variety of ways but by far the most noticeable is the increase in dropouts. These will appear in the playback of a recorded picture. Not to be confused with the video heads wearing out as in the question above, dropouts are random and come in both white or black varieties. The toughest quality test for a tape to pass, and one of the best ways to see how well a tape can reproduce an image, is to record what is called a blank raster (a black video signal). Dropouts will be seen as streaks, black spots, lines or specks every time a oversized lump of oxide or a missing magnetic particles is traced over by the video heads. If your playing back a failing prerecorded tape (repeatedly) the image will become noticeably grainy and coarser as the tape starts to degrade. This is because it is losing oxide, the recorded picture is actually falling off the tape. Dropouts show up in these tapes even though the image is already there, but it shows up more when making recordings. One side note, your video recorder has special circuitry to detect and mask over a certain amount of dropouts. Some units are even capable of inserting a previous scan line to replace one that has disappeared due to a large loss of video information.

Q: How long do tapes usually last? (Q#7)
A: Video tapes last a very long time but will last even longer if stored in a cool dry place free from static electricity and stray magnetic fields. And it does not seem to matter too much whether you store them vertical or horizontal but I prefer the vertical. The storage systems once market by Sony, the VK series, had them placed vertical and it seems that I read somewhere that this is the preferred way. How long is lasting a long time? I have tapes made by my SL-7200 over 40 years ago that still play quit well, and that is a pretty long time.

Q: Who makes (made) the best video recording tapes? (Q#8)
A: This is a little more complicated than it seems. The question could be who actually made video tape? Every Betamaker offered a cassette with their name on it. These were support items and solidified Betas presence in the marketplace. That is to say one could purchase a tape labeled to match their product. So that means there were cassettes available from Aiwa, Magnasonic, Marantz, NEC, Pioneer, Realistic (Radio Shack), Sears, Sony, Toshiba and Zenith. But of all the companies just listed only one was an actual video tape manufacturer, and that was Sony. All the rest were made by a third party and branded just for them. To add to the mystery their were videotape makers that never made machines. They only made tape that was loaded those cassettes sold with a manufacturers name on it. A good example of this are Aiwa, Pioneer, Realistic and Zenith. All the cassettes they sold under their brand name were supplied by Sony. So who made the tape that went into the others and what about those third party suppliers? People like Ampex, BASF, Fuji, Kodak, Maxell, Memorex, Magnetic Products, Polaroid, RAKS, Scotch, SKC and TDK*. A person could go nuts trying to sort out what was inside all these cassettes and who actually manufactured the tape. So I would say that for the most part any of these recognizable name brand was going to have a good grade of tape inside. After all their reputation was riding on it. The Betamakers had the name recognition on their side. This made it a little hard for the third party guys like Fuji, Scotch, Maxell, etc. that just sold tape to compete. They had to sell on their previous reputation in audio and on extra quality to help market their wares. I will risk an opinion now based upon what I have gathered over the years and pick a few names that were stand outs. I would put my most sacred recordings on Fuji, 3M, Kodak, Maxell, Memorex, TDK, or Magnetic Products Corp. One last thing. Don't put bargain brand tapes in your VCR. Ones you never heard of. Why risk messing up your priceless Beta machine when the cost of getting it back into shape is so high....do not do it!
A few RAKS high grade cassettes made it to the united states brought here mostly by servicemen. RAKS is the largest media manufacturer in Turkey and it is individually owned. It shipped $92 million dollars worth of product in 1995. Their videotape got good reviews and the few I have performed well. BASF stopped offering videocassettes about half way through the life of Beta. They made a great tape but instead decided to change gears and be a supplier to the other makers.
† Magnetic Products Corp was a lot like BASF except they never offered a product to the public. They were behind the scenes making tape exclusively for the movie industry. If you purchased or rented a program or movie there was a good chance that it was recorded on this brand. Their tape had to be good, durable, non-abrasive and cost effective in the long run. The Copyright cassettes that I offer are loaded with this tape. Plus I have a lot of special lengths because I purchased the remaining stock from the production houses.

Q: How often should video heads be demagnetized? (Q#9)
A: In their service manuals all Beta manufacturers recommended that it be performed every 500 hours. They explain it this way: "If the video heads should become magnetized, the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates and slant beat patterns and noise will appear in the picture." They suggest it be done to the audio, control and erase heads in addition to the video. What demagnetizing does is scatter or rearrange the microscopic particles in the flux producing medium. These are the cores or metal parts of the different heads. The cores are made of a laminated, pressed or composite metallic material that can transfer magnetic waves to the tape necessary for making a recording. The waves are produced in response to electrical impulses passing through wires that are wound around the cores. The opposite occurs for playback. The magnetic information on the tape excites the core creating an electrical signal in the wire windings that the electronics turns into a picture or sound. The demagnetizing (or degaussing) procedure should only be done by a professional because it requires special equipment and a special methodology. Too strong a degaussing field or an accidental impact can shatter the delicate video heads. Video and audio head core materials have improved over the years and demagnetizing has become less important. The recommendation doesn't appear in later service manuals. But neither do other things that the manufacturer assumes you should already know. Like common circuit designs, special terms related only to Beta and previous video service procedures.

Q: What is the best recording speed for the best overall picture quality? (Q#10)
A: The fastest recording speed with widest video heads should render the clearest picture. This would make the original SL-7200A (or almost any dedicated only recorder) the unit of choice. But there are other considerations such as SuperBeta, Hi-Band and ED Beta. Tape is also a factor not to be overlooked (Question 8). If you want to add Hi-Fi stereo to this then the choice would be machines that have the capability to record Super Hi-band s such as the SL-HF1000, SL-HF750, SL-HF2100, SL-HF900 (modified to record in s), etc. Keeping in mind the size of the recording heads involved, it seems that the best overall speed is the mode. It still produces a slight guard band on the tape and the (SuperBeta) picture is almost as good as recordings made in BIs. Note: a guard band is an area of unrecorded tape between the tracks that acts as a barrier to help prevent unwanted cross talk from occurring. would be the least desirable because its scans are right next to each other and the speed is slowest offering less recording area over time. depends on azimuth recording to prevent crosstalk. More information on azimuth recording is available by clicking here

Q: My Betamax shuts down after a few seconds of playing and then only the eject or power switches will work, what is wrong? (Q#11)
A: Most newer Beta VCRs are programmed to shut down if they detect the take-up reel is not rotating. Something is stopping the forward movement of the tape in the machine. It could be an obstruction from a foreign object in the machine. If the obvious cause can't be located then reel motor is having problem and it will require a professional repair. To inquire about repair click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q. My Sony SL-2305 will accept a tape but plays for a few seconds then stops. When I eject the tape a length of tape is hanging out of the cassette. What can be done to fix this? (Q#12)
A. There can be several causes for this type of problem (see question above) but for this model the most likely cause is a bad pendulum arm assembly. Sony used a design for a short time that leached adhesive and stuck up the drive gear preventing its rotation. The only fix for this is to replace the part and it will require a professional repair. To inquire about repair click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: How many manufacturers made beta Machines? (Q#12)
A: Here are the actual manufacturers: Aiwa, NEC, Sanyo, Sony and Toshiba. Other names were made by these four and appeared on their Beta machines. These were: Bush, General, J. Arthur Rank, Lear, Magnasonic, Marantz, Murphy, Navco, Pioneer, Pontiac Motor Division, Realistic, Rent-A-Beta (International), Sears, Titan and Zenith. I have a cassette tape box that also lists two others, Hitachi and Montgomery Ward (Wards) although I have never have actually seen one of their machines (or Beta tapes). For more information see the "THE BETAMAKERS" panel by clicking here.

Q: My picture blanks out and the sound goes in and out during playback, what's wrong with my machine? (Q#14)
A: If the problem happens with more than one tape then it is probably a dirty or faulty ACE head assembly. (ACE is an acronym that stands for Audio Control Erase.) It has the responsibility of producing the start of each frame of video during playback. The control magnetic pickup senses a pulse recorded on the bottom linear track of the video tape. This pulse tells the video circuits how to regulate the capstan motor and drum to match the start of the two fields of each playback picture. This signal is different from one sometimes seen at the bottom middle of the picture as a white bug running back and forth. This burst is the head switching signal that fires off each frame, two per second. Its position is regulated by a circuitry adjustment. If the ACE control pickup is worn it cannot make good contact with the tape and the pulse signal is lost causing loss of video. Repairing this wear issue will require replacement. But before getting it repaired check this first. Flip open the access door and examine an area of a tape that is having issues. Open it by pressing the small lever lock inside the little square hole on the cassette door. Check and see if there is any wrinkling along the bottom edge. If there is then this can produce instability. It might indicate something inside the unit is running out of line causing damage to the tape as it travels through the machine. Still a service job but you'll know not to risk anymore of your tapes by using this unit. One last thing if it only happens with one tape then the tape is suspect. Once again examination can show the issue. For more open the panel I have created that shows you how to examine your tapes. To see it click here. (Replaces this window.)

Q: My EDV-9500 Beta machine seems to have a lot of white specks in the picture, what causes this? (Q#15)
A: If it appears in every recording the first suspect would be the PCM switch. Check to see it is in the ON position. In this position the dropout correction circuit is disabled and letting all the imperfections in the tape pass through. Set it to OFF. Next suspect is the video heads might be dirty. Try using my a different tape or my Video Head Cleaning Cassette. If you have another machine make some recordings on both and compare the two. Through this process of elimination you may be able to draw some conclusions about the tape or the video heads. (To find out more on video head evaluation click here.) If they are defective or worn replacement would be required. There could be another culprit. Assuming that the heads are good and the color noise or confetti is mostly in the black areas of a good recorded signal, then this could be caused by bad capacitors in the color or luminance circuitry. The offending capacitors would need to be replaced, this too is a job for a service professional. To inquire about repair click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: My SL-HF2100 displays vertical black and white bars when first playing a picture then is ok once the picture comes on, sometimes this may take several seconds to clear up, what is happening to cause this? (Q#16)
A: A capacitor in the video head amplifier circuit is failing and causing a delay in the signal from the video heads. When this is happens the SL-HF2100 video circuits have nothing to work with for a playback signal until the faulty capacitor reaches full charge and the digital bars are the result. This will require professional repair. To inquire about repair click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: The picture is unstable on my beta and it seems to tear off and on in the middle, what is the cause? (Q#17)
A: Most likely cause is the video drum motor control circuit. The is a repair problem. Click on "Repairing Your Beta" in the right column or click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: Why does sound on my VCR go up and down in pitch, also the tracking has no effect on it? (Q#18)
A: The problem is like the one above only this time the capstan motor circuit is the one giving the problem. This requires repair. To inquire about repair click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: My machine lights up and the clock works but none of the buttons do anything, what is the problem? (Q#19)
A: The most likely culprit here is in the power supply or in the system control circuits. This is a problem requiring professional repair. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column or click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: Why didn't Sony produce a 25th anniversary Betamax? (Q#20)
A: My guess would be that they felt there just would not be enough demand to justify putting out the effort. I find this especially sorrowful since the digital to analog technology available from Sony could produce an outstanding product on the par with the SL-HF2100 or ED Beta. Note: Several models made in 1990 were labeled as 15th anniversary models.

Q: Why did Sony stop making machines, were they not aware of the prices that their old machines are commanding on ebay and other auction sites? (Q#21)
A: My best guess is they know the prices their past Betas are auctioning for, but are unmoved. For a large corporation like Sony to reproduce something for a small niche market just doesn't add up, dollar-wise. Beta has always been, and still is, the best medium for serious people who want to record, edit and preserve video. ED Beta was unsurpassed for home video picture quality. S-VHS, DVD, or laser couldn't top it. Only digital, HDTV or line interlacing could compete. Sony could have made more machines and they could have been awesome.

Q: Why did Beta get beat out by VHS? (Q#22)
A: Looking back on the past reveals a lot of variables that could account for the struggles Sony had with Beta in the marketplace. In some ways they were their own worst enemy. The Beta system was without a doubt the better of the two but Sony just couldn't convince the masses that it was worth the price differential. Especially when VHS machines and their tapes became so cheap. To make matters worse they made the tape length numbering (recording time) system hard to decipher. The average consumer wasn't interested in trying to figure out what L-500 or L-750 meant and at what speed. VHS kept it simple with a 2-4-6 hour recording scheme that buyers could easily understand. Another stumble was the only SL-8600 machine. Some people saw it as Sony turning their back on them, when really it was an attempt to produce a cost effective competitor to the pressures from the lower priced VHS machines. Sony didn't have a crystal ball and they knew they had the best format if they could just get that message across to the buying public. They had built their company on quality and innovation, not on price. They were fighting to protect their reputation. It's not easy being a large company trying to always stay on top. The competition is always there looking for a chip in your armor (so they can eat into your market share and expand theirs). To their credit Sony stuck with Beta for a long time, a decision that could have killed a lesser company. Over the era of Betamax some great products and creative technological ideas were born. For another opinion on Betas demise click here.

Q: The tape goes into my machine but then comes right back out, why? (Q#23)
A: The main processor (CPU) isn't getting the message that a cassette has been loaded. There could be a cassette detect switch that is dirty or not making contact. Something might be wrong with the threading or loading operation of the machine. In this case professional repair is required. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column or click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: My cassette goes into my unit but gets crooked, is something broken? (Q#24)
A: If the cassette jams or gets twisted going in something could be blocking the entryway sliding tray. Clear any obstruction and if that doesn't make it operate then the threading or loading mechanism is defective. In this case professional repair is required. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column or click here. (A repair form will replace this section.)

Q: After a few seconds my tape stops rewinding then I have to eject my tape and try again, sometimes it takes several tries before a tape gets fully rewound, what can I do to correct this? (Q#25)
A: This can happen when the video drum becomes polished and more drag is being produced on the tape than the reel motor can overcome. This causes the unit to shut down to protect itself. This statement does not apply to Sanyo design Betas that wind the tape back into the cassette during rewind and fast forward. The reel motor could also be getting weak or the unit may need lubrication. The rubber rollers could also have become hard and no longer can obtain traction. This is a service problem. Also now would be as good a time as any for me to harp on not rewinding your tapes in the machine. It's true all machines are capable of rewinding, but avoid this if you can (particularly with the Sony units). What it does is smooth the surface of the video drum and makes the machine labor and slow down. Buy a rewinder, preferably one that does not use the stop-and-pop method to end the winding. This harsh stop can cause fish-eyes, bunching and breaks in the tapes (see how to inspect your tapes for problem by checking out the Tape Damage Report, click here. I offer a good winder and I recommend it highly (go to Winders in my "BETAMAX ACCESSORIES" section by clicking here). This last link loads the Winders display page in this center section.

Q: With good Beta units getting harder to find as each day passes, what is the best way to prolong the life of my machine(s)? (Q#26)
A: Check out the information above about rewinding. Buy an end-of-tape sensing tape rewinder or a Sanyo unit that threads the tape back into the cassette when winding. Don't rewind or fast forward tapes threaded inside the unit you are wanting to conserve. Baby it, and use only the best tape money can buy. Give it plenty of ventilation and keep it out of dusty, dirty or smoky surroundings (cigarette smoke over time will ruin your Beta). Get it serviced every 500 hours like the service manuals recommend and when something goes wrong get it fixed by someone familiar with the particular needs of the Beta format.

Q: Can I still buy a new Sony Betamax? (Q#27)
A: Sorry, no new Betas. I offer refurbished units that will perform nearly new. Other sources are ebay, ShopGoodwill, yard, estate and garage sales.

Q: How do cleaning cassettes work and which ones are the best? (Q#28)
A: Several types of video head cleaners were available. The only one I recommend and sell uses the dry heavy lubricant method patented by 3M and marketed under the Scotch® logo. This type of tape could have been discovered by an intelligent accident. Because all video tape has a very refined lubricant impregnated in the binder (that holds the magnetic oxide to the ribbon of film). This is done to help reduce head wear and improve traveling characteristics. What 3M did was uncover the fact that an extra heavy impregnation of the lubricant would roll off deposits and oxide build-up and also be friendly to the machines tape path. They also found that this overabundance of lube lifted the video heads away from the tape and made for poor recordings. This was not too much of a concern however when the idea turns out to be an ideal cleaning tape. They did something else that surely was on purpose. They decided to not polish the tape surface as much as they did for commercial tapes. This reduced candling, as it is called, made for a finish that was slightly erosive. Combined with the lubricant it made for a tape that not only pulled away debris but also scrubbed the surface too. The net result was a tape that moved build up away and held it with the lubricant while conditioning the contact areas. The lubricant nicely offset the coarser surface for a net penetration factor of zero. Scotch claimed that this perfect harmony introduced no more wear on the heads and components than playing one L-750 all the way through. Altogether a very impressive outcome for us videophiles. The Scotch cleaner is now hard to find. You can still find Sonys that uses the same patented process. The one I sell has Sony and Maxell tape inside. (Click on "Cleaning Supplies" in the right column to go to my cassette.) Of coarse cleaning bad video heads won't make them any better or worse so if the cleaning tape doesn't correct a poor picture problem then video head replacement might be needed. My least favorite, which you shouldn't be able find anymore, was the loosely woven cloth type that used a solvent. Here you would wet the Lenin fabric tape inside and then load it into the machine to clean the heads, etc. These were bad because lent could flake off and pile up on the heads requiring service or repair to correct. For the record nothing beats professional cleaning.

Q: Did any manufacturer other than Sony offer a consumer Betamax with s recording capability? (Q#29)
A: NEC made a very nice four head model, the VC-N65EU which recorded and played s, , and . It is also a SuperBetahi-fi unit.

Q. My machine is producing a white line like a pulse every few seconds in the picture. What is causing this? (Q#29)
A. Assuming it is one of the later design units, this can be caused by faulty capacitors in the capstan circuit. They are there to absorb the burst or spike of electricity produced when the switching of the motor coils occurs during the rotation of the capstan motor. They will also leak electrolyte that will eat away the copper traces on the motors printed circuit board. This requires cleaning, replacement and professional repair.

Q. The capstan seems to be running too fast and in reverse in my unit. Why is this happening? (Q#31)
A. The most likely cause is the capacitors have leaked and caused corrosion damage to the printed traces on the circuit board underneath. Loss of the electrical continuity then produces faulty running characteristics. It is can also be due to a defective capstan IC, hall sensor or other component. This is a professional repair.

Q. How would you rank the quality of the VCRs from the different Beta manufacturers. (Q#32)
A. They were Aiwa, NEC, Sanyo, Sony and Toshiba. Giants of manufacturing in Japan and I liked them all. Sony gets high marks right off. You would expect that because Beta was their baby. They did a lot of the heavy lifting and design work. It isn't easy tooling up to bring out the number of models they did. Over a hundred before giving up, not including color variations and units made for other people. They were very prolific during the big fight for consumer market share. Some very exciting and formidable Sony machines were enjoyed by Beta lovers and are still in great demand today. The others were not exactly slackers either. Sanyo machines are attractive, easy to use and very durable. They brought some unique ideas to Beta and good technology. I especially like the idea of fast winding the tape inside the cassette. Toshiba built tough machines that were appealing while being straight forward and a pleasure to use. NEC produced a number of strong models with lots of features and strong beauty. There machines had a professional following on the west coast. Aiwa only produced two entries but they were creative with some very useful features. Like blank search and dual speed scan control. Zenith was a manufacturer but had their machines made by Sony and they were identical except for external appearance. Pioneer models were upscale and made by Sony. Store brands like Sears and Radio Shack were made by one of the first three and inherited their operational traits from them. Only the external design and veneer were different. Now that one can look back and closely examine the big picture you are struck with one disappointing fact. Had the format continued to have a strong following Beta may have evolved into something unrecognizable from the past.

Q. How many different competing formats were there when Sony introduced the first Betamax and what did their cassettes look like? (Q#33)
A. The major formats in the beginning were from Sanyo, Quasar and Cartrivision. There was also a PAL system from Phillips Electronics introduced in Europe. The Cartrivision was the first to introduce a movie rental system. More information on these units can be found on the web but you won't see much on the how their cassettes were designed and how they worked. If your interested you can click here to learn more

Q. How many different cassette changers did Sony make and did VHS have any? (Q#34)
A. I am not aware of any VHS changers. Their attitude must of been why get involved when the public was already sold on their product just the way it was. Sony felt if the issue was total recording time, then let's give them what they want. You could record up to twenty hours with one of these babies using four L-830 cassettes. There were five models produced for the US market before Sony decided to abandon the project. They were: the test marketed AG-120, then the AG-200, AG-300, AG-400 and the AG-500. They were all very interesting and it was a marvel to watch them perform. You can see each of the models, information about how they worked and which changers went to which model by clicking here Also see question further down.

Q. Why didn't the first Betahi-fi units receive stereo? (Q#35)
A. When Sony developed their system for Betahi-fi stereo a state side standard for stereo television broadcasting had not been decided. In order to increase the desirability of their new stereo recorders each was designed to accept an upgrade. They made them with MPX adapter plugs on the rear panel. Sony and other manufacturers would later make stand alone stereo receivers and amplifier units to interface with these machines. Several later models were made that were "Hi-Fi ready" and had a multi-pin receptacle in the back. These would interface with a proprietary decoder unit that would turn them into a Betahi-fi stereo VCRs. Only Sony made these decoders. To learn more about the adapters and to see the various models click here

Q: The tracking control on my beta seems to have no effect and the picture tears and flips, what gives? (Q#36)
A: The most likely cause is the variable resistor (potentiometer) is bad that regulates the voltage to the tracking circuit. The circuit itself could be faulty and not allowing the tracking adjustment to have any affect. It needs professional repair. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column.

Q: I have some moldy tapes that I would like to play. Is there a machine that will clean them? (Q#37)
A: I am not aware of a tape cleaning machine for Beta. There are reclamation services that claim to clean tape. They do this by removing the reels and putting them on a dual turn table. Then using tongs (tweezers) with swabs or pads on the ends the tape is pulled through the pads and is cleaned as it slides between them. This has to be expensive and also time consuming. Usually it is done for moldy tapes that must be reclaimed for forensics, and I don't know of a company that does this service. Playing moldy tapes in your Beta is discouraged. It will smear organic material over the tape path and cause a mess, or worse damage the VCR. See Question 89 for more information about moldy cassettes.

Q: Why do some machines produce lines (noise) in pause and others do not? (Q#38)
A: Lines or noise bars appear during pause because more information is needed to create a clear picture. It is usually more noticeable in than it is in . This is because in the scans made by the spinning video heads are right next to each. But in there is a slight gap or guard band produced by the smaller heads used to achieve the speed. These tiny gaps between the scans contain no picture information and show up as noise as the heads pass over them in pause. This is more prevalent with the models that have the standard two video head disk configuration. Higher end models that feature the DA+1 or DA4 compound heads do better. They have an extra head(s) used pick up more information from the tape and turn it into a cleaner picture. The scans also don't line up exactly with the spinning heads because when the tape was being recorded it was moving (around the video drum or scanner). In pause the recorded information is stretched out in relation to the scans. This makes some information unavailable in the spots where the tracks and heads don't line up. Higher end machines with the extra heads or digital memory fill in this missing info for a better picture. They grab more signal or, in the case of digital units, pull up information from the last clear frame. This picture noise issue also applies to the Betascan mode and when stepping back and forth during pause. Question 5 covers specks or lines that also show up during playback.

Q: My GCS-50 has a switch on the front that indicates it is for a framing servo. What is this and what it is used for? (Q#39)
A: The framing servo switch is used for making more accurate edits. Here is what it does. When switched on it applies more control over the location of the tape when paused. When you pause a Beta machine with still picture capability under normal conditions the capstan will stop at random location. This produces noise bars or lines in the picture. Worse in than in . (See the question above for more information on why.) The location will change with each subsequent pause because the frame is not precisely lining up to the exact start of the picture or frame each time. Also noise is created because the long skinny magnetic signal placed on the tape when the picture was recorded is stationary now. The scans fields do not line up correctly with the rotational path of the spinning video heads. (The signal was recorded when the tape was moving which spread it out, when it is stopped most of the signal can be picked up but some is missed because the video heads cannot swipe the longer signal completely from start to end.) Now to get around all this and produce a clear pause picture several methods are employed. One is to provide a couple of extra video heads to double trace the same signal and fill in most of the missing information. It also helps to align the tape exactly at the start of the frame of the picture so it can start at the top like it should. This method still requires at least one extra head to fill in information not picked up. These units actually move the capstan ever so slightly after pause is initiated to line up the picture. That is to say they frame the still picture. The SL-HF500 and SL-HF600 are examples of machines that do this and it is done by sensing the pulses on the control track and stopping the tape at just the right point. You can hear these units operating a special head switching relay as they perform this function and watch as it produces a clear still picture on the screen. Here we see the framing taking place as it relates to the servo (capstan motor) being controlled. If you add another video head (two for recording and one or two for still) you get the best of both worlds. This is how the GCS-50 produces a rock-steady still picture. But creating a good still picture is different from making a good edit. For this to happen requires some fancy circuit work and extra control. Turning on the framing servo switch for editing insures that the edits being made will take place on the sync signals starting burst, which is very accurate. Sony says within 2-3 frames as long as the line current remains constant. In pause during editing you can see the actual frame as presented and lined up waiting to be recorded. The picture will be slightly different from the edit point because the VCR adjusts the start of where to resume recording. By the way the GCS-50 doesn't have to have the relay mentioned earlier because it has two heads creating the clear still picture. (Or more correctly, two dual azimuth heads for a total of four.) The tape therefore only needs to be adjusted very little to produce the still frame alignment, it is done when the capstan comes to a stop. Pretty clever. Check out the GCS-50 and the SLO-383 in the VCRs section for the application of the framing servo mode.

Q: I watch my Beta recordings on a big screen TV and I notice a small and barely visible vertical noise bar in playback. I can move it from left to right with tracking but it will not go completely away. Knocking the tracking way off only makes it get worse. It isn't noticeable from a distance but I know it's there and I wonder why and how to get rid of it? (Q#40)
A: What you are describing sounds like is the noise bar common to most recordings. It kind of looks like a very faint vertical wave in 10% of the picture. This almost invisible wavy vertical bar pattern is caused by an electronic beat introduced by the electronics when it down converts the video signal during processing. This is the nature of the Beta format in and can't be adjusted out. If it is more noticeable it can be the tape path. It might not be running completely flat and smooth. This can develop because the tape travels through the machine under very little tension. It isn't twisted and forced around the video drum as with VHS. This kinder tape handling reduces wear and tear on the tape and the components that it touches. But it does demand that extra steps be taken to reproduce the "ideal" flat video envelope. Tape hold down fingers steady the top of the tape midway around the drum. They insure that the tape stays down in the bottom rail it runs around the perimeter of the drum. There could be wear here. Cupped areas at the pockets where the hold down fingers are stationed will let the tape lift and ride upwards. Try using a thinner tape, such as is used in the L-830 cassettes . Then compare it the thicker based tape in an L-500. If it acts differently this will might verify that the noise bar is being caused by wear or the path is out of alignment. The thinner tape flattens out easier due to the softer nature of the film base, thus acting as guide. The remedy would be a tape path alignment and/or upper drum replacement.

Q: I recently purchased a SL-HF860D Beta VCR off of ebay and it doesn't power up completely. The display comes on but the power light and function buttons don't work. Also, is there any way to avoid getting a unit that doesn't work correctly from an auction? What questions should one ask before placing a bid? (Q#41)
A: Okay we will examine the VCR problem first, then I will give some thoughts on ebay auctions. The most likely cause of the problem you are describing for that model would be in the power section. The DC-DC converter has likely failed or possibly a switching transistor is bad. This is a professional repair. About ebay. It is an auction and like all auctions it will always involve some risk. Ebay can try but they can never eliminate the uncertainty of bidding from a photo and description. Many times items are offered "as is" to indicate that the seller is offering no assurances as to the items operation or condition and accepts no responsibility for it. I have won many things from Ebay auctions over the years and I am pleased most of the time. Many items just would not be available to me any other way. But worse than the risk of the unit being misrepresented is the packaging and shipping issue. I have received numerous items that must have been nice when they were shipped but arrived destroyed due to poor packaging. See my section "SHIPPING YOUR BETA" by clicking here. If you purchase something that must travel by freight, do what you can to impress upon the shipper that the people that will be handling your goods en route simply cannot be expected to handle it with kid gloves, not in the real world. Ebay receives high marks in my books for making such a varied and versatile array of items available to a wide audience. I know of no questions you could ask a seller that would render any guarantee that could be trusted completely. Feedback is a fairly good barometer except many sellers wait for their buyers response before posting one of their own. This practice pollutes the data somewhat and could easily be corrected with a data blocking system for both parties. Ebay does a reasonable job of policing it's wrongdoers, which is small comfort if you end up with an item that was misrepresented. I see warranty offers now and some other things coming in the future, but for now ebay auctions involves taking on some risk. It is, after all..an auction. Buyer must beware.

Q: I would like to buy a changer to fit my SL-2700. Which one should I buy? (Q#42)
A: The SL-2700 accepts the AG-500, which is quite hard to find. When you do they are usually "new old stock" that somebody set aside years ago and never used. I find these ever so often and offer them in my Website. You can check their availability by visiting my "BETAMAX ACCESSORIES" section by clicking here. The AG-400 can be used also, but you will have to work around the attaching plate incompatibility problem. Which prompts me to say that when you acquire one of these changers be sure to get all the attaching hardware. They aren't much good if you can't mount them on the machine. Here's a run down of which changers fit what machines. The SL-7200A, LV-1901A and SL-8200 can use the AG-120 or the AG-200. The AG-200 can also be used on the SL-8600. The model AG-300 is for the SL-5400, SL-5600 and SL-5800. The SL-2500 and SLO-420 uses the AG-400. The AG-500 is made for the SL-2410, SL-2415, SL-2700 and SL-2710. For further information on changers click here.

Q: The display in my SL-HF900 is getting dim. What can be done to correct this? (Q#43)
A: Several things can cause this problem, a failing power supply, a failing fluorescent display tube or a black residue on the red lens filter inside. With the SL-HF900 it is common for the tube to be the cause and they are no longer available from Sony parts. Also a transistor or fused resister in the power supply can begin to lose value and the display continues to get dimmer as the part(s) travel down the road starve for voltage. If the filter is coated with a dark residue you can remove the faceplate and clean or remove it. This will let more light through and make the characters more visible.

Q. I have heard that some Beta units can be used to produce animated sequences. Which ones and how is it done? (Q#44)
A. It is true that some models, by repeatedly pushing the pause button while the machine is in the record mode it will advance one frame at a time. The SL-HF900 will do this and so will many of the late model high end machines. If you attached a camera or use a still frame source such as a computer, spot generator, etc. and move the subject slightly each time you push pause, the recorded video would play back as animation. I tried it with the SL-HF900 and it worked well, but was very time consuming. This particular event occurs because that high end units during pausing in record wind back the tape a few frames each time, this is to find and align to the last recorded control pulse. This action, called micro-timing phase (µTP) editing between scenes helps the recorded segments line up better and produces edits that are smoother. Each time you press pause during an animation session the roll back advances one frame due to an overlap produced as it searches for the next pulse. This actually is good information to keep in mind should you want clean edits between scenes, keep your fingers off the pause button between edits or you could mistakenly add a frame you didn't want. If you should inadvertently press pause twice, then to get a clean edit would require that the edit points be lined up again. To do this you would need to stop the tape, rewind, play and then pause again at the location you wanted as your edit point. This animation "feature" was not a built-in design function but an anomaly produced by the micro-timing phase process when using this step-by-step recording. If you want to know more about true pre-roll editing, that is when both machines switch at predetermined edit points while the tape is moving, check out the SL-HF1000, GCS-50 or the SLO-383 in the VCR section.

Q: My SL-HF360 locks up sometimes when I try to program the timer after inserting a tape. I then have to unplug it and reset everything, how can this be fixed? (Q#44)
A: I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that this is a flaw in the system control IC programming that slipped by the designers at Sony. It seems that if you time it just right and press the timer programming button just after a tape loads, the unit resets and then locks up. Not one button will function..nada, the only option is to unplug the machine and start over. The good news is that the SL-HF360 is a great low end unit that will give you great performance without complaint as long as you give it a second or two after the tape loads before pressing the timer setup button. So this is a glitch and there is no fix.

Q: I am going overseas, can I take my Beta with me? If not, how do I best store it? (Q#46)
A: Using your Beta in another country involves several things. First is the power supply consideration. Check the household current standard for your country of destination and purchase a converter that alters it to match your unit. Next, you may want to consider taking along a television and some prerecorded tapes, because the broadcast standard may be different. For a list of the different standards click here. Storing your Beta for safekeeping I recommend using the original box, if unavailable then use one that will allow you to stuff about two inches of padding all around your machine. See my section on "SHIPPING YOUR BETA" for packing information, click here. Enclose the manual and the remote WITHOUT the batteries. Doing it this way will keep everything together when you come back and want to use it again. Store it in a cool, dry place and if you can find some desiccant packages, toss several of those into the box as well.

Q: Which Beta unit is the most difficult to repair? (Q#47)
A: The question has several answers. The SLO-1800, SL-HF1000, EDV-9300 and EDV-9500 qualify as the most awkward to work on because of their weight and size. The most technically difficult and electronically sensitive are the EDV-9300 and EDV-9500. The most complicated are the SL-2500, SLO-420 and SL-2700. The most difficult type of repair is an intermittent problem that doesn't show itself until after a unit has been operated for several hours and then doesn't show up again until more time has passed. None are easy when they won't behave.

Q: I recently arranged my cables that were laying all over the place behind my component cabinet into tubular casings. Now I'm getting noticeable bars that keep running across my screen at different times. I've tried rearranging my cables but it doesn't help. It doesn't do it all the time. Is this a ground problem? What can I do to get them out? I have several Betas and a switcher going into my television. (Q#48)
A: Even though it seemed the right thing to do, putting all your cables in those nice tubular casing can create picture problems. It's called "harmonic beat" and it is created by sympathetic interference generated when cables lay side-by-side. They act something like a transformer and pass electrical current to one another causing surges at various peak levels in the video signal. (It seems to effect the video more so than the audio, but in audio circles it is called hum.) The problem is multiplied by having several pieces of equipment operating at the same time. The best answer is to take the cables out of the casings and lay the video lines at right angles to each other creating a totally random path for the signals to travel. Now for the practical answer, move the video cables for each item as far apart as feasible and when they intersect try to have them at right angles to each other. Most sets don't offer a ground anymore but you can buy ac AC line filter. It smoothes out the house current and cuts down on any spurious stray signals that may be being generated in your area. To see what one looks like click here. This also helps if you have someone in your area that is using any type of equipment that creates line noise, such as a welder or drill. If nothing works, you may be located too close to a power station or high tension line (I wanted to cover as many bases as possible) but I doubt this since it wasn't happening before. In this last case you'd have to move.

Q: I recently purchased a Sony SL-HF450 off of ebay and it has a computer type nine pin plug in the back, what is this for? (Q#49)
A: The most likely purpose of the plug was to hard wire remote operation of the unit. Some duplication labs or recording facilities elected to modify consumer Beta units to fit special needs, or just to save money by avoiding the purchase of higher priced professional machines. It made good economic sense if their requirements didn't dictate the need for a more rugged pro machine. Some machines were also wired so they could be controlled by a Juke Box (see next question). The plug will probably not be an issue and the machine will operate normally. If it turns out that some function is missing it is because the circuitry is expecting a connection that isn't there. It would only be made when using a companion device. To correct this would require re-wiring the VCR. Professional repair is needed. (Replaces this section with my repair form.)

Q: A friend of mine says that he used to service music jukeboxes that had Sony VCRs in them and played music videos, have you ever heard of such a thing? (Q#50)
A: What your friend is referring to are the Video Jukeboxes that appeared in the late eighties. Manufactured by Rowe/AMI Corporation these units had a Sony SL-2000, SL-2005, Toshiba VX-34 or a Sony Betahi-fi unit mounted in them that played a video of the artist on a separate large screen television while the music was playing. It was possible to select different video segments because Rowe engineers wrote programming that took advantage of the Beta machines linear tape counter. This made the jukebox controller capable of finding different locations (selections) on a single video tape. The units only played certain segments that had video playback and they cost more than the songs having no video. These were very popular for a while but most had disappeared by the early nineties. Some were later made in England but they no longer use Beta video tape technology. To learn more on this subject click here

Q: I have noticed on ebay references made to the GCS-50 being a SL-HF1000 less the tuner, timer and other consumer features. But it looks so similar to the SL-HF900. What's your opinion? (Q#51)
A: Some of Sony's professional machines have an obvious shared design with the consumer lines. The SL-420 is perhaps the model that is most closely related, being very similar to the SL-2500, right down to having the same timer and even accepting a changer. The SL0-340, SLO-1400, EDW-10, GCS-1 and others also have obvious family ties with the consumer models. The SLO-1800, SLO-383 and SLO-340 are unique and that have no home companions. The GCS-50 is a cross breed with ties most closely related to the SL-HF900, due to its similar frame components and board designs. Some of the printed circuit boards even share the same numbers. The early promotional photos of the GCS-50 used an altered SL-HF900 as the picture model but the keyboard layout was changed when it was put into production. This was done in order to be more consistent with the professional button lay out. It does have the flying erase heads and a similar drum to the SL-HF1000 but I feel that comparing it to the SL-HF1000 is actually selling it short. The GCS-50 has better picture control circuits and features a stronger editing format than the SL-HF1000, which you would expect from a machine costing almost three times the price and having no tuner or timer. Each unit was designed based upon a projected marketing segment and they are outstanding examples of Betas desirability. They will be missed when you can no longer find them. To see a side by side comparison of these models click here

Q: How do you arrive at the prices for the units you offer for sale? (Q#52)
A: If the item is new it is based upon a predetermined resale markup as suggested by the manufacturers MSRP. Refurbished items are figured using the cost of the item, the number available and the time consumed in their refurbishing. Repairs are based upon materials cost and the man hours invested. Every item and repair receives a warranty, unless otherwise stated, and most everything offered is unique to the format. To learn more on how I refurbish a Beta click here

Q. My Beta has a switch on the back that says 50-60 Hz cycles, what is is for and what does it do? (Q#53)
A. This switch is for setting the VCRs power supply to accommodate the line frequency. In the USA this is 60 Hz. For some countries it is 50 Hz. Many Beta units were sold in various countries around the world so the frequency on these units was made to be adjustable. The clock/timer uses this frequency to keep accurate time, set it incorrectly and the clock may run fast or slow. To see a chart of the various nations house currents click here.

Q: Can I get my Beta refurbished by you? (Q#54)
A: Refurbished Beta VCRs are only offered through my Website. They have been repaired, reconditioned, externally detailed and, as needed, improved and upgraded. This is done to insure the most attractive and best operating units obtainable. The time invested and work involved varies depending on condition. Once completed these revitalized beauties are offered for purchase (See my "BETAS FOR PURCHASE" in the right column). For more information on refurbishing click on "BETA REFURBISHING". I would, however, be happy to repair and/or recondition your Beta. This service is almost the same and incorporates labor, parts and the methods for returning it to top performance. These include, but are not limited to, evaluation and testing, internal cleaning, lubrication plus resurfacing the upper video drum, pinch roller, drive reels, guides, tension arm and tension band. Upgrades would also be included as needed. The final cost would vary depending on the model and what is involved. To access the submission form for inquiring about reconditioning press the "GETTING IT REPAIRED" navigator button at right or click here. Be sure to explain the issue being encountered in the text area provided. You should receive a response from me within seventy-two hours.

Q: Do you repair VHS? (Q#54)
A: No. All of my parts inventory and knowledge is concentrated on repairing only Beta.

Q: Is the Sony name an acronym for something? (Q#56)
A: The Sony logo is said to come from the Latin word sonus (for sound) and the English word sonny (meaning my little son*). The company started life as Tokyo Tsushin Keenkyujo, or roughly translated: Tokyo Telecommunications Research Institute. They changed their name after successfully introducing a small transistor radio to the U.S.A. (and the world) called the Sony. The product became so famous, they renamed the whole company after it. For the whole story on the Sony trademark click here. Now let's do the other Beta guys. Aiwa was founded in Japan in 1951 as Aiko Denki Sangyo Co., Ltd. In 1959, the company name was changed to Aiwa Co., Ltd. The name "Aiwa" sounds like the Japanese words for "love" (ai) and "harmony" (wa). Around the world Aiwa stands for high quality products that are fun and easy to use. In 2002 Sony acquired full ownership but still produces products under that brand name. Sanyo was founded in 1947 as Sanyo Electric Works and was a manufacturer of bicycle generators (for lamps). It soon moved into small appliances, washing machines and radios. The name means "three oceans" based on the company vision to market on a global scale. NEC or Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. was established in 1899 in partnership with the Western Electric Company of the United States to become the first Japanese joint venture with foreign capital. Their initial primary manufacture was telephones and switching systems. Toshiba was formed from the merging of two older companies. One was Tanaka Seizo-sho formed in 1875 (Tanaka Engineering Works) and it was Japan's first manufacturer of telegraphic equipment. The other was Hakunetsu-sha and Co., Ltd. formed in 1890 and later named Tokyo Denki (Tokyo Electric Co.). They were the first to manufacture electric incandescent lamps. The two merged in 1899 to form Tokyo Shibaura Denki (Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.). For the brand name the "TO" in Tokyo was morphed in with the "SH" and "BA" in Shibaura so the company became known as Toshiba, which later became their official name in 1978.

Q: Is it true that the clock time ran out on the SL-HF2100 in the year 2006? Can it be reprogrammed to overcome this? (Q#57)
A: The SL-HF2100 clock/timer will not accept a date beyond December 31, 2005. The timer control IC of the VCR and remote were designed this way by Sony and they cannot be altered or corrected. There is a way around this nuisance, however. Consult a perpetual calendar and pick a year that has the days of the week where you need them and then program the unit using that year. Available years are from 1991 thru 2005. You can substitute 1993 for 2021, 1994 for 2022, etc. You must use the RMT-2100A remote to set the clocks, no other remote will work. Why December 31, 2005? Was it because January 1, 2006 was the date that the US congress designated as to when all the television stations (in the USA) were required to switch over to HDTV (and discontinue their standard broadcast service)? The actual reason for the cut off remains a mystery. Regular analog broadcasting continues to some extent today and HDTV has now became the mainstream broadcasting format. To see a "by the years" substitution chart click here.

Q: In what years were the different models made and how many of each were sold? (Q#58)
A: I can provide you with the various models, their years of release and the suggested list price but none of the manufacturers revealed their sales numbers (which is still a common practice). To see the Betamax Timeline chart click here.

Q: Does "Beta" or the "B" symbol signify the loading method? What does it mean?(Q#59)
A: When Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony (with Masura Ibuka), set Sony engineers to the task of developing a video recording system with a cassette small enough to fit in ones pocket (roughly the size of a paperback book) their initial try was called "Alpha" after the capitalized first letter in the Greek alphabet. The tape path did sorta look like two "A"s side by side. (This later was to be renamed the "M" load.) The system worked well enough but had some major drawbacks that Sony eventually decided were too significant to continue development. It was overly harsh on the tape because it had to be stretched around the video drum (to keep it aligned). This meant that for fast forward or rewind the tape to be wound back into the cassette to keep it from getting damaged. Way too awkward and bothersome a procedure. Things like scan and clear pause were nearly impossible. The cassette was also too large and the picture wasn't up to Sony standards. As a result this design was discarded and later sold off to a small company called Japanese Victor which eventually became VHS. Sony shifted gears and developed another system, loosely modeled after their already successful professional U-matic format. It possessed the desired properties that Sony was looking for, ease of use, no strain on the tape and less friction overall. Because it was their second strategy it was code named "Beta" after the lower case greek "B" in the alphabet. Plus the tape path did sorta looked like a lower case "b" when it was wound around the video drum. Eventually the Beta was combined with max, meaning ultimate, and the name Betamax was created.

Q: I record a lot of movies, some of which I save. Invariably I end up with a sizable length of time left over at the end of a tape. My question is how did the L-500, L-750 and L-830 lengths come to be decided upon and can I buy other lengths of tape? (Q#60)
A: Let us get in the Wayback machine and travel back to when Beta was under development. The recording of home movies and then later, television programs were the emphasis behind the machine, so it only followed that thirty and sixty minutes recording times in in Bx1, later to called , would be the norm. Even though the Cartrivision system which existed just prior to Betamax had offered the purchase and renting of movies, its failure seemed to send a message that buying movies was not going to be a key factor in the feasibility of home video recording. After the success of the first Betamax a company called Magnetic Video petitioned Fox Studios for the rights to market their movies on video. Fifty titles were offered to test the waters. Sales at first were moderate but enough to spark what would later become a revolution (in how the world would view movies). Next came the format war, then the issue of recording time and things just got dicey. Betamax recording times were increased by reducing the recording speed and now the same cassette lengths would yielded twice the time. To avoid confusion, or to add to it depending on your opinion, the K-30 was renamed the L-250 and would record for one hour adding an even a slower speed increased the recording time 50% more. Even though the cost of a tape dropped considerably over time it didn't seem to matter in the long run. The total allotted time per cassette showed to be the deciding factor. As for movie running times Sony and other tape manufacturers wound custom wind special length cassettes for the duplication labs but the standard lenghts we are all familiar with became the consumer standards, with the L-750 becoming the big seller. If you record movies for posterity then you are always going to run into the problem with time left over or tapes of too short of length. The average movie duration is 93 minutes, which means that two movies in will almost fit on one L-750 but you may have to give up the last of the credits. You may never know who was the Gaffer or the Best Boy. I have L-370s for sale that run 95 minutes which will cover this situation but the trouble is that Hollywood doesn't make movies that are only 93 minutes long, that is an average. So the only remedy would seem to be keeping a supply of L-370 tapes on hand for movies of 95 minutes and less, do the L-500 for movies of 95 minutes to 2 hours. Then use the L-750 for those over two hours. I do have special lengths in stock that I purchased as leftovers that do special times. I have L-530 cassettes to cover up to 135 minutes and L-625 for up to 155 minutes. All times here are based upon recordings made in (times will be longer if your doing ). Incidentally all prerecorded movies except the very first ones were recorded in . A few very early ones were in recorded in . Check out the special lengths in the "NEW BETA CASSETTES" section by clicking here.

Q: Why does S-Video produce a better picture when dubbing from one machine to the other than just using the regular composite video in and out? (Q#61)
A: S-Video allows a better picture because less processing is taking place when transferring the video information from one machine to the other. To say it another way you are recording from one machines luminance and chrominance signals to the others. It doesn't have to be combined like when the composite video is used. There are less electronics to get in the way of the picture. To get a better look at what this means in terms of signal path and quality click here

Q: You mention several times throughout your Site about static electricity. How big a problem is it? (Q#62)
A: It is something that must be considered and delt with in every aspect of electronics. On the sub-atomic level everything carries a surface electronic charge. It comes from the electrons moving around from one atom to another even in the air. It seems that they just don't stay married to the same atom and once a bunch of them get together they can start to wander. They can even be bunched up in large quantities and held together temporarily. If a large enough quantity gathers up they begin to take on a strong potential to discharge to a negative charge and will eventually make a jump for it. The spark on the door knob from your finger after you walk along a carpet is electrons gathered up on your body traveling to a negative mass with an opposite charge. Lightening is another example of static electricity, only on a much larger scale. Going back down to the size we are concerned with it causes problems when it jumps around in a circuit and messes things up. The circuits inside ICs (integrated circuits) are incapsulated and operate at very low voltages. They are not able to take the high volumes of electrons that static can contain and that force can fuse together or break the tiny components in their circuits, causing their destruction. To keep this from happening precautions must be taken when handling ICs and design engineers must build electronic gear so that static can be safely drained away and never get to the spark potential where it could damage the delicate ICs. This is why you see devices, keypads and buttons with grounds straps leading to the case. This is to neutralize the static forces and keep touch surfaces in a safe, no-charge state.

Q: If Betamovies only record, how are they adjusted? (Q#63)
A: I no longer repair Betamovies but when I did it was complicated. They required a special device and a unique procedure that allowed them to be adjusted using a special alignment tape. For more information click here

Q: The L-830 cassettes seem easily damaged by scans in reverse and forward. What causes this and how can it be avoided? (Q#64)
A: Ideally all recordings that you are going to be scanning or skip scanning should be made using the thicker grades of tape found in the L-500, L-370, L-250, etc. cassettes because it is stiffer and will be less affected by slight wear and misalignments in the tape path. When a Beta is new or refurbished the tape path components, and especially the guides and rubber pinch roller, are in top condition and can handle the thinner grades of tape with little problem. During recording and playback the abrasive nature of the video tape removes the surfaces that it comes in contact with which over time can corrupt the path. Add to this the dirt that can build up plus the degrading of the pinch roller rubber from age and you can easily see how tape travel can become unstable or distorted. Because the thinner varieties of tape require a very precise alignment to maintain proper contact with the guides and video drum, they are the first to suffer when used in a Beta that needs an overhaul. The thinner tape base film can roll over or crease easier than the thicker base found in the shorter length cassettes. It is always a good idea to have any device that uses a physical process (like recording on tape) to be regularly serviced. Sony makes this very clear in their service manuals, however the message seldom gets out to the masses. How does one identify this alignment problem (and know when service is required)? One sure way is to open the door on a cassette that is giving trouble and examine the top and bottom edges of the tape for curling or wrinkles. Sometimes creases can be seen running long ways down the tape. Both are definite signs of trouble. This kind of damage is not a failure of the tape. Extensive test were performed and demonstrated that as long as the path is within factory specs these thinner tapes perform normally. Another way to spot trouble is to notice how the picture misbehaves during the playback and scans. To help you in spotting these problems I have composed a graphic, along with an explanation of what occurs on the screen during and after a tape damage event. To access it click here One other thing I harp on, get a winder. Don't rewind in your machine, it will only shorten the life of you precious Beta and make repair required sooner.

Q: What is micro timing-phase editing? (Q#65)
A: When Beta was young and edits during recording were performed the transitions between scenes was accomplished in one of two ways. The first option was for the tape to be stopped during the time the signal was not being recorded, and to resume by pressing the record button. During the wait time the machine came to rest and all movement was halted. The second method was to activate a pause function. This put the machine in a standby mode with the video drum turning and the tape stopped. Both of these types of "edits" (called crash edits) were very crude, and very noticeable in the picture when it was played back. Evidence of the edit was displayed as picture tearing, flips or loss of sync. To correct this situation and provide clean, noise free edits the micro timing-phase (µTP) system was developed. Special circuitry incorporated in certain Beta models would reverse the tape slightly when record or record pause was requested before allowing forward movement of the tape when recording was resumed. No signal was sent to the video or audio heads during this reverse movement. When recording began a slight delay prior to the actual imaging allowed the electronics to try and match the signal coming in to the signal already present on the tape. If everything operated on schedule the transition from one scene to the next when played back showed almost no disturbance or phasing at the edit points. One of the reasons for the better performance of these edits was that the tape is already moving at the time when recording is introduced by the circuitry. This is a great improvement over a situation where the tape is starting up from a dead stop, as in the crash edit method. This applies to on-the-fly and when dubbing from one machine to another. Micro timing-phase is a great improvement over the crash edits but pre-roll and assemble editing offers the best situation. (See the next question.)

Q: What are pre-roll edits, insert edits, etc.? (Q#66)
A: Pre-roll, butt, assemble and pre-roll are terms used to describe particular types of editing processes where various video scenes or segments are joined together during a recording session. Insert editing is where a particular segment is placed within a scene than has already been recorded and it is replacing the information that is already on the tape. A little more in detail please. First there was crash edits (see above). This is where the tape was stopped or paused to edit the incoming material. It was messy because there is a noticeable break at the point of transition from scene to scene. Butt edits are similar except the term is usually used to describe a more sophisticated electro-mechanical method (µTP also see above) whereby the machine used is capable of cleaning up the editing point. Found in the more modern units it is the slight reversing of the tape prior to the point of edit, which helps to overcome the inertial problems present when the tape moves from a dead stop. Pre-roll and assemble editing is this last step taken to a higher level and is usually used in dubbing material from one machine to another. With assemble editing the desired points are programmed into a master unit (either a compatible VCR or control console) that plays the desired segments to be recorded to the target recorder. After all the segments starting and ending points have been entered the two machines are placed into a standby mode. Next a start function is initiated and each segments is automatically called upon and recorded to the recorder as dictated by the controlling unit. Pre-roll adds increased accuracy to produce cleaner edits. In this method the tape in each machine is reversed slightly prior to the edit points and the recording is started while both tapes are already traveling forward. A graphic may help make this last type of edit easier to visualize, click here. Simple pre-roll edits are just using the feature of the pre-roll when joining one scene with another. Cleaner edits are accomplished this way but only two segments are being joined.

Q:Will I be able to use my Beta when analog TV stops broadcasting? (Q#67)
A: Yes. The adapter that converts the HDTV signal to analog has two outputs and one input. It has RF 75 ohm coax in and out and composite video with left and right stereo out. Your Beta can accept both types of outputs and HDTV sets accept composite in (check your actual model to verify this as it is not possible to know them all). To see the converter and the outputs click here

Q: What is edit preview? (Q#68)
A: Edit preview can mean several things but the most common is running through and reviewing segments programmed into an editing console or machine prior to actual assemble editing. This is done to make changes should an assembly error be detected. Another is a special function available with many of the machines that accept a camera. In this instance pressing a special function button while the recorder is in the record-pause mode will cause the tape to reverse a short distance and playback several seconds of the last recorded scene. The machine will then resume the record-pause mode. Being able see the last several seconds of the previous segment facilitates better continuity between scenes and not having to change modes offers convenience.

Q: What is a video frame (or field)?(Q#69)
A: It is one of the individual pictures (or fields) used to create or display a video picture. There are thirty of these in every second of the NTSC video signal. The term frame was carried over from the days of movie film when a single frame meant one individual picture or cell on a reel of movie film. For more definitions of audio, video and electronic terms check out this glossary by clicking here.

Q: I have a large collection of 8mm films of my family that I would like to transfer to video and then to DVD. I have a telecine adapter but the recordings display an annoying flicker or rolling bar when played back. Why is this happening and how do I get rid of it?(Q#70)
A: The problem you describe is common and has to do with the frame rate difference between film and video. To better understand why this happens lets look at how motion is created before the human eye. When many single pictures are received visually at a rate greater that roughly 18 frames per second the brain strings them together so that minor changes in the content of the picture appear as motion (the changes have to be incremental from one frame to the next). The more frames per second the smoother is the motion. Motion picture film usually travels by at twenty-four frames per second (because it syncs up nicely with the audio at this speed). Thirty was chosen for television video (simplified version) because it works well with the sixty cycles of AC house current and two frames fit perfectly between each second in time. The difference does cause some problems when film is transferred to video or vice versa. Direct transfer causes a strobe effect that is generated by the difference in counts between frames. To overcome this a special system that divides or multiplies each frame by five. This is called the 3/2 pulldown (because of the rate of transfer). It is fairly complicated and requires special equipment. The resulting segmented pictures or video are mathematically matched to a number common to both that removes the flash or strobe. Unfortunately tackling this problem is going to require using one of the video companies that specializes is this transfer service. For a description of the 3/2 pulldown process click here For more information than you ever thought you needed about movies and transferring film to video search "How Film Is Transferred to Video" on the WWW.

Q:Which Beta models sold the best? (Q#71)
A: The Betamakers (and VHS for that matter) didn't release any figures regarding the number of model sold. The best I can offer is a chart that was the result of a survey conducted in late 1989 and 1990 by a several video magazines. To see the chart click here

Q: It seems to me that Beta VCRs are a little noisier than they need to be. Is this my imagination or is it done on purpose? (Q#72)
A: When the first VCRs came on the scene they were all noisy. Large motors, big solenoids and beefy levers made resounding snaps and pops when they were operated. As VCRs improved through the years new innovations in design allowed for those mechanical components to become smaller and quieter. The latest VCRs could function with virtually no sound emanating from them. So, why then did the Beta units not become completely silent, or at least very quiet? While it's difficult to surmise why exactly, I do have a theory. The ability to hear the operation of a mechanical piece of equipment operating offers a verification that a function has or is actually taking place. I have several types of electromechanical units that are silent and not being able to tell when they are operating manifests an uncomfortable air of uncertainty or mystery. Front panel or on-screen displays also don't help take the away the ambiguity, they only verify that the displays are working. Perhaps the Betamakers felt that their consumers wanted to have the assurance that their units were actually doing something. It's only a theory, but as for me I like knowing when devices are operating. And yes, they are somewhat noisy.

Q: My SL-HF840 has the picture frozen and it will not play any tapes. It records okay because tapes I record on it will play on my other Betas. What is going on? (Q#73)
A: Try forcing the digital circuits to reset by unplugging the unit and shorting the blades of the 110 volt plug with a screwdriver. Wait about 30 seconds and then plug it back in again. This action will reset the digital circuits. Turning the VCR off with the power button won't be enough. It must be left unplugged for a short while, shorting the blades insures the system is neutralized. This method can solve a number of other problems too. Any time your Beta seems locked up or behaves weird, like your channel indicator numbers seem scrambled or your clock goes to all 8's, try resetting it. The primary cause is static electricity or power surges. Static electricity is that shock you get when you walk across a carpet on a dry day and touch something like a door knob. This burst of electricity can confuse the digital circuits of the CPUs and ICs in your Beta. Fortunately, this phenomenon occurs only rarely since manufactures design their units to handle most stray static shocks. Resetting fixes most of these problems, it's like a restart on your computer

Q: I leave my SL-HF900 on most of the time and tune the stations for my TV through the VCR. Does it harm it to leave it on all the time? (Q#74)
A: Leaving the SL-HF900 on all the time impacts it in several ways, how much depends on the mode setting of the VCR. When the SL-HF900 is turned on with no cassette in the machine the pinch solenoid is retracted and held, which readies the threading transmission for anticipated cassette insertion and loading. The solenoid closing can be recognized by the audible click when the power button is pressed. Leaving the VCR on in this standby mode consumes power, generates extra heat and shortens the life of the pinch solenoid. If you loaded in a cassette it would be better for the SL-HF900 because the solenoid comes to rest once loading has been performed. Turning it off would burden the electronics the least, short of unplugging it. One side note, the SL-HF900 is one of many units where the pinch solenoid closes when it is turned on without a cassette loaded inside. To tell if your model is one listen for the audible click when it is powered ON with no cassette inside.

Q: Do you really have a dog named Max?(Q#75)
A: Max, the Binary Boxer, only lives in your computer. For more on Max click here.

Q: Was the Vidimagic, which combined a Betamax with a video projection system, the only model of it kind and how easy is it to operate? (Q#76)
A: I know of no other model than the Vidimagic FP-60 that combined both, which certainly makes it very unique and desirable from a collectors point of view. Of special interest is that the projection section can be used independent of the VCR. The unit includes a VHF/UHF tuner with VHF RF input . Convergence problems common with other projection systems, the ones that use individual tubes for the three primary colors, are of no concern with the FP-60. It uses a single special high energy one tube design that eliminates color alignment, making it very easy to set up when moved from place to place. It is capable of producing a huge picture under the right lighting conditions. Sony also produced a less well known version of the Vidimagic that did not include the Betamax, the FP-62. To see a side by side comparison of the both units click here

Q: What causes the white specks showing up in my picture from time to time, it seems to be like some sort of static. (Q#77)
A: Since this is an intermittent problem I'll rule out the Beta VCR as the culprit and say you probably have some kind of electrical disturbance taking place in your area. Spikes or electrical discharges are finding there way into your signal either from the AC line or they are being transmitted in the air from nearby. An AC line filter or noise suppressor can help if it's coming over the power line. To find out more about line filters click here. Changing the antenna can help if it is airborne. The last resort is to try and locate the source and have it corrected by persuading the individua responsible to act, hopefully in a positive way.

Q: My recorder started recording in black and white instead of color, what has happened. (Q#78)
A: Because the signal reproduction is different for a black and white picture than it is for color both the VCR (and television) has to make a distinction between the two. Circuitry within the unit has degraded to the point that it is out of adjustment or it has failed and all of the chroma (color) information is being killed or lost. This is a problem requiring a professional repair. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column.

Q: Which Beta was the best ever made? (Q#79)
A: I am getting this question more often lately. It depends on the circumstance but I am going to risk publishing a list of "Beta's Best". I have put together a chart that you can access by clicking here. Please do not mistake this as an attempt on my part to set myself up as an authority, nothing is further from reality, this is only an opinion.

Q: The numbers on my clock are flashing from left to right in a wave type fashion. What causes this and what can be done to correct it? (Q#80)
A: A capacitor is most likely failing and letting AC line pulses bleed into the fluorescent display. Sometimes it is more noticeable after the unit has been left unplugged for a while, being more visible at first then smoothing out slightly as the capacitor charges up as much as it can. This requires a professional repair. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column.

Q: What does the model numbering mean? Is there a system, rhyme or reason for the stepped increases or the odd and even numbers? (Q#81)
A: It's difficult to pin down what the various model numbers and letters stand for. Almost all electronics manufacturers engage in mild subterfuge when it comes to model numbering. It makes better advertising copy and looks more prestigious to list a model as XX1234 than it does as: Model 1, Model 2, Model 3 etc. When it came to Beta it seems that NEC, Sanyo and Toshiba did follow a loose pattern over the years and models of increasing the number after the letter designations (example: Sanyo 4500, 4600, 4800....7150, 7200 or Toshiba V-M41, V-M42 etc.). Sony on the other hand did some fancy footwork with their numbers, but upon examination a loose pattern seems to emerge. The higher end models usually did carry the larger numbers. With each step representing a model with slightly more bells and whistles than the one before it, the highest being the most featured and most expensive. Some examples: SL-10, SL-20, SL-25, SL-30, SL-60, and SL-90. The Hi-Fi models: SL-HF350, SL-HF450, SL-HF550 and SL-HF650. You also have to take into consideration the year when the models were released. The SL-HF300, SL-HF400, SL-HF500 and SL-HF600 are of earlier manufacture than the Hi-Fi ones already mentioned and they do not fill in the spaces between them. A similar situation exists with the Hi-Fi ready, digital, ED Beta and the non-USA Beta units. Sony also released some wild card models and sandwiched then in between the sequential numbers, like the SL-HF360 SL-2710, SL-2405 and the SL-2001. And there are other anomalies with no recognizable pattern, the: GCS-1, GCS-50, SL-P44R, SLO-383, SL-3030 and others. It is possible that all this numbering had some deep internal meaning but more than likely it was just a way to promote various models and generate an impression that each was different, special, more featured, slightly improved or higher in value than another. Only the Betamakers know for sure.

Q: Why did Sanyo call their Beta VCRs Betacord or B-Cord? (Q#82)
A: Sanyo had some early entries into home video recording before Beta with a system they called the V-cord, short for Video tape or film recorder. They produced several models before joining forces with Sony. Sony owned the name Betamax which only they could use so Sanyo continued over into their models the "cord" suffix and added a "B" to the beginning. The Beta designation was the system name and was available for use by any licensed manufacturer. Their new designation "B-Cord" stood for ".

Q: My Beta made a strange noise and had difficulty loading a tape, now it only turns off and on. What happened and how can I get it running again? (Q#83)
A: A likely cause of the shutdown is an error occurred during the loading/threading process. To better see what might have happened during threading click here. It could also have a power supply issue. These are problems that requires repair. Click on "GETTING IT REPAIRED" in the right column.

Q: Can SuperBeta tapes be played on regular Beta machines? (Q#84)
A: Yes, but the higher luminance signal of SuperBeta may cause some bursting in the light and dark edges of the picture. It can be seen as white or black specks where there is a bright to dark area and vice versa. Most times it is not too noticeable. On the other hand, regular Beta tapes can play on SuperBeta machines with no problem. Ed Beta tapes require an Ed Beta machine, but they will also play regular and SuperBeta tapes.

Q: My SL-HF360 runs only in reverse. What is causing this? (Q#85)
A: The capstan in this model (and others) drives the reel assembly as well as pulls the tape through the tape path. To provide reverse scan and rewind the CPU sends a voltage to the capstan motor IC to pulse the pancake electromagnets in the the opposite direction. Your motor most likely has a short that is allowing current to leak over to the reverse circuit, or (less likely) the CPU is bad. This is a problem requiring repair.

Q: What does the drop-out circuit do? (Q#86)
A: The drop-out circuit or (DOC) replaces lost information from the recorded tape and is necessary due to minor imperfections common to all video tape. Information can be lost due to microscopic metal lumps on the tape, dead metal spots, or any number of other anomalies. What the circuit does is electronically take information from just ahead of where the drop-out occurred and substitue it into the missing space. Visually, because the information was so similar and goes by so fast you most likely wouldn't be unable to notice it happening. It is able to do this magic because the signal coming out of the VCR is slightly delayed from the real time. If you want to see the drop-outs look play a worn tape in a machine with the PCM or EDIT switch set to the ON. There is a limit as to how much correction can be done. A scratch or wrinkle on a tape will come through, as well as other major defects. The latest model Beta VCRs (EDV-9500, SL-HF2100, etc.) have digital processing circuits that can store picture information. They are capable of replacing entire scan lines with ones recorded before it and drop-outs are almost never seen. (Note: turning the PCM switch to the "ON" position is actually turning the DOC circuitry off, see question below.)

Q: My SL-2400 has a PCM switch in the back. I can't see much difference when I put it in either position. The manual says leave it in the OFF position except when using it for PCM recording. What are they and what does it do? (Q#87)
A: The PCM switch appeared after Sony adopted the PCM digital system for recording sound on video tape. Different from Betahi-fi, PCM uses most of the area of the tape reserved for video to record digital sound information. For more on PCM recording click here. The purpose of the switch is to disable the VCRs drop-out compensation circuit, called the DOC, so it will not interfere with the playback of the original recorded PCM digital signal. (The switch has no effect during recording.) Not all Betas have a DOC switch and the other Betamakers took a look and see attitude on this. Once Sony got started they kind of let it ride. Only audio purists took advantage of this recording method.

Q: I recently purchased a Navco 2500 Beta VCR at an auction but I can't get it to play any of my BII tapes correctly. Is it defective? (Q#88)
A: It could be. But there is also a compatibility issue. The Navco 2500 isn't designed to play back Beta tapes recorded in the , or speed, even though it will operate at a speed similar to (called real time). The NAVCO was a time-lapse recorder designed and manufactured for video surveillance work. It used the Beta cassette and loading system, but it was not actually a Beta VCR. It recorded and played back according to a schedule of pre-programmed time compression speeds. This allowed it to document lots of video information over long periods of time. A closer look at this interesting application of the Beta format should answer a lot of your questions. To find out more click here.

Q: I have some tapes that are moldy inside. Can I still play them in my Betamax? (Q#89)
A: Mold is a living organism that has spores that can float in the air and take root on almost anything, provided a little moisture is present. One of the places it likes best is where there is a good source of food, usually something organic that it can easily digest. The plastics present in the Beta cassette (the shell, reels, film backing and the adhesive binders) are organic polymers that make an excellent dinner for a variety of enterprising mold types. Since the video tape binder and film are the softest of the materials available, this is usually where mold takes up residence. Most often the mold type is either white, dark blue-green or light brown in color. Click here to see several examples of cassettes under attack. Mold is a parasite with a root system (called the mycelium) that permeates organic materials and by using special enzymes breaks it down into food that the plant can live on. The iron or chrome oxide particles that hold the actual recording information are hard to break down so they are usually left behind after an attack. If you attempt to play tapes in this condition there is a good chance that metal particles will come loose or the tape binder will separate and leave a residue inside your machine. The organic plant matter will also smear around and stick to anything it touches. So playing will them will involve an amount of risk. If the mold is very slight, the tapes may play with no noticeable picture lose. But if its bad you may coat the inside of your unit with plant material, oxide and degraded tape film. How important are the tapes you want to play and how bad do you want to see them? If it's a one time thing and your dubbing them over to some good tapes, then it may be worth it. But expect the picture to be degraded in quality and probably deteriorate to the point of being unwatchable. Also, be prepared to get your Beta professionally cleaned when you complete you mission.

Q: Do you recommend using a cover to protect my Beta from getting dirt and dust inside? (Q#90)
A: It is important that your Beta have adequate ventilation so it doesn't overheat. The power section which is usually located in the back gets warm even when the machine is not operating. Some units have it on the side. For this reason I don't recommend you put anything on top of you VCR that might obstruct the flow of air, including another VCR. You could use a cover as long as the unit is unplugged. If you must stack your Betas place a half to one inch spacers in between them. Heat accelerates capacitor break down and can eventually kill your VCR.

Q: How can I tell if my Beta cleaning cassette is worn out? (Q#91)
A: The Video Head Cleaning Cassette I sell should last through 100 plays from beginning to end. As it degrades the picture on the tape will start to show noise (white specks and lines). These don't really affect the cleaning capability of the tape and aren't a reliable indicator. The only way to know it is depleted is when it no longer cleans. For this you just have to watch the results and make your own determination.

Q: What is wrong when my picture is scrambled and the sound is high pitched? (Q#92)
A: The pinch roller is not holding and allowing the tape to speed by the audio and video heads. This is a problem that requires repair. You could also be playing a or in a dedicated single speed Beta. In which case you need to use a machine that plays the speed that the tape was recorded in.

Q: Can tapes recorded using European NTSC 4.43 be played back in a US NTSC 3.58 recorder? (Q#93)
A: Yes and no. Either one will play in either format, because the subcarrier frequencies are so close. You will even get a picture but it will likely be in black and white. So you can see it and hear it, but there will be no color. The black and white (luminance) signals will pass through and be unstable but the color (chroma) uses a different frequrncy and will be absent.

Q: The pinch roller runs on the back of the tape. How does it get dirty? (Q#94)
A: For the most part it is the video tape. The manufactures in order to accommodate VHS and make it more tape friendly put an extremely fine coating of a graphite like material on the back of their video tape. This allowed the other format to perform functions similar to Betascan and Betaskipscan. This extra slip made the tape glide better but this coating also rubbed onto the components it came in contact with, this included the pinch roller. Some manufacturers used more of this than others. The residue comes off with the right cleaning. Left unchecked it can start causing tape running problems. The only way to see the coating on the tape is under a microscope. It might look like tiny dots welded to the surface or just a fine gray film, shiny when viewed from a distance. But you can feel it if you rub your finger over the tapes (back) surface. To prevent performance problems from contamination, manufacturers plainly stated in their manuals that their machines should be serviced ever year or 500 hours of use. Before the back coating video tapes left behind no deposit, other than normal oxide shedding. They could have continued making both types, except the coated tapes also worked just as well in Beta machines. These slipperier tapes just left behind more debris. (Try saying that three times fast.) To combat this all VCRs were supposed to be well maintained, which became the new mantra. For the record Sony is a tape manufacturer and they made VHS cassettes that has the coating.

Q: What is the difference between Betamax, Betacam, BetacamSP and Digital Betacam? (Q#95)
A: Betacam, BetacamSP and Digital Betacam are very different video recording methods that use the same cassette as Betamax but their recordings will not play properly in Beta format VCRs. Beta machines will accept them, so this has lead to some confusion. The three Betacam systems use a totally different video recording strategy than Betamax. They use a much faster recoding speed and a totally different signal processing method. When played in a Beta VCR all you see is either nothing or white static. The tape counter (Hour, Minutes and Seconds) will also run incorrectly. The easiest way to identify Betacam cassettes is to look at the top of the lid on the right side. It will have stamped on it the type of format the cassette is intended for, Betacam, BetacamSP, Digital Betacam or Betamax. Why did Sony make these formats using the same cassette design (that causes this confusion)? When they decided to create a smaller format to replace their U-matic system in use by the broadcast industry the sturdy Betamax cassette was the natural choice. It had already proven to be the best in the recording industry and the only changes needed were adding or relocating detection holes in the bottom and loading them with different tape. For years these formats never interfered with one another. But now they are starting to find there way into each others devices. To confuse matters even more there is another format called ED Beta that is for use with Betamax. There is some interchangeability between it and Betamax. ED Beta cassettes will not work in regular Betamax VCRs but Betamax cassettes will play in ED Beta machines. Okay, it is possible to record using each others cassettes if you are a little bit creative. Want to toy around with this idea? Then click here to open a panel that will show you how.

Q: Why is there so little tape in a head cleaning cassette and why are they so expensive? (Q#97)
A: The dry process video head cleaning cassettes commonly have about five minutes of tape in them. Any more would be unnecessary and wasteful. It only takes about ten seconds for the cleaning process to complete. Doing the math that equals 30 procedures before the tape would be rewound back to the beginning (5x60=300/10=30). This operation can be done over and over again because the cleaning surface remains virtually unchanged after each use. To quote the inventor of the cleaning tape, 3M (Scotch), each five minute cassette will last as least 240 repeats (equalling about twenty years of use). They also state that each ten seconds of run time is equal to about the same wear as playing an average tape for thirty minutes. They also recommend using their cleaning tape after every twenty hours of operation (for good maintenance). The price compared to a regular video cassette seems expensive. But it isn't formulated for recording content. Instead of having a smooth surface that contacts the video heads it has an oxide dispersion layer that is deposited in a unique pattern. This requires a separate manufacturing process. The special irregular surface rolls away oxide, excess lubricant (graphite) and dirt. While these cassettes sold in the thousands regular recording tapes sold in the millions. High numbers drove the prices down on the standard fare while the relative low production numbers for the cleaners made them more expensive. When you factor in the special formulation and manufacturing process, the low volume and the origination cost (cassette shell, boxing, printing and shipping) we were lucky to get them. The dry process cleaner can only do so much. The next step after self-cleaning is professional service. This addresses the other components that contact the tape like the drum, guides, rollers and capstan. To examine my video head cleaning cassette click here. (The page will be replaced with the cleaning cassette information.)

Q: What are multi-format Betas and what do they do? (Q#98)
A: Multi-format Betas were unique among VCRs. They were designed to offer users the flexibility of recording and playing tapes in the broadcast standard of several different countries. For example a particular model might record and play two or more television formats. In a country that used SECAM the recorder could record and play SECAM. If it also supported PAL it would do PAL, and so on. What these multi-fomat VCRs would not do is convert one standard to the another. PAL would require a PAL television for viewing. Same for SECAM, NTSC and others. Changing one standard to another required a separate device. To see just one design of converter click here.To examine a list of the television standards around the world click here.

Please understand that I am not presuming to be a master of the Betamax or the Beta format. Information supplied here is a reflection of years of exposure and interaction. The comments are intended to be as accurate as possible and have been verified through several sources. Any errors are accidental and can be reported using the form below.
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