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Many of the Sony Beta models had a switch that provided special editing functions when recording from one Sony unit to another. Located on the front, as illustrated in the examples above, these switches served different functions depending on the model. The most basic edit switch altered only the picture. It turned off some of the circuits that are normally added to the video signal processing that makes it more suitable to be viewed on a television monitor. The circuit that is turned off adds detail to the television playback picture but the slave recorder in a video transfer would pick up the added detail and overcompensate, making the edges around figures dark and the colors overdone. The advantage of turning it off was the added picture processing was not passed on to the second machine and the result is the copy almost replicates the original and when the tape is played back the edit switch would be off making the picture circuits active and the signal is processed by something more closely duplicating the original. The outcome is good for this process and the result are worth the effort of using. The copy (2nd generation) looked nearly as good as the original. Sony later added a feature called Synchro Edit that not only turned off the video final stages but had the added benefit letting the playback machine to assume control over both machines. To use this feature requires both units be connected using a control-S cable. To initiate control the playback unit is put in pause, at the location you want your new material to begin then the recorder in put in record pause at the spot you want your edit to join. Next you press the Synchro Edit function on the player then you only have to press pause on the playback machine to start both machines. The recorder is controlled by the playback unit. It was easy and functional and it required the use of a control-S cable (so both units had to have control-S in or out jacks). Even more sophisticated editing was accomplished using models that offered programmable editing, even flying edits and insert editing. In all these cases the function of basic edit switch is applied, and this to allow the picture to pass from the VCR without the extra artifacts that final stage processing can create. In all other playback instances the edit switch should be set to off, this lets the final video stages do their work for the benefit of the television. For a list of the VCRs that came with an EDIT switch click here. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage |