Dec. 19, 1998
I've been using Beta format since I first found a machine in a 2nd hand store in 1981. It was an old Sony piano-key top-loading sl-5600, and I finally ran the machine 'till I wore the heads into nothingness. Between using this unit and a piano key RCA VHS (boo-oo-oo) machine, I began a tape collection which expands to the present. When I wore out the beta, I found a twin to it which had sticking Fast-Forward/Rewind problems. About the same time (1983), I found a basic Zenith VR8510 front-loading Beta. As a result, I didn't pursue the repair of the sl-5600.
I have since sold the two sl-5600's to a friend who had a sl-5800 and needed repair parts. My collection of machines now includes Sanyo 4400 (Top Loader), 6800 and 7150 (HiFi), Sears 5317 and 5344 (HiFi), 2 Sony sl-2305's, a sl-100 (SuperBeta Mono), a Japanese sl-hfr30 with matching Japanese hfp100 (HiFi) and a sl-hf500 (HiFi).
Only two of the above machines cost me more than $20 (the first sl-5600 was $30 and the Zenith was $60), and usually required nothing more than a good cleaning. My tape collection grows regularly, and currently numbers about 500 beta tapes.
On my wish list (like many betaphiles) is one of the big four: Sony sl-hf870d, sl-hf900, sl-hf1000 or sl-hf2100. Of course, if Sony produces a milennium Beta machine, I'd be interested in that, too. But for the time being, I'll be searching for the right SuperBeta HiFi at the right price (if possible, cheap!!!!) (Non-working machines OK).
Meanwhile, I'll continue to search the yard sales and 2nd hand stores in the Spokane area for Beta machines & tapes, watch the online auctions, and wait, while I put together my entertainment center: 3 Beta hi-fi machines, 3 stereo hifi VHS (groan) decks, dolby dual cassette, reel-to-reel, CD changer and dolby 8-track (?!?).
By the way, if anybody has the steps to change the rf unit in the japanese (Sony sl-hfr30) to a US rf unit (in a sony sl-25, mechanically identical), please e-mail me the steps for replacement (not afraid of soldering). I've already converted the power supply to 120v.
If anybody sends me a Beta owner's manual copy or a scan (text only or text + graphics), I'll make it available for download. Currently I have none, but I'll continue to search. Since Sony is providing only limited support, we have to support each other.
For more info on Betamax, please check out Ray Glasser's videoholic website. He's got lots of nice Beta links and info. Also, check out The Beta Informer, a mailing list for the Beta enthusiast.
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April 12, 1999
My entertainment center is about complete. I have 3 stereo betas, 2 stereo VHS, a mono beta and a mono VHS hooked up (total of 7 machines).
I now have an even larger collection of betas. My collection now includes:
Sony
SL-100 SuperBeta Mono (2)
SL-HF300
HiFi Stereo Beta (2)(black and silver)
SL-HF500
HiFi Stereo Beta (2)
SL-HFR30
(2)(Japanese and U.S.) and HFP100 (2)(Also Japanese and U.S.)
SL-2000
(2) Portable Beta with TT-2000 Tuner/Timer module (1)
BMC-600 SuperBeta Movie Camera
SL-2305
Mono Beta (2)
Sanyo
VTC 4400 Top Loader
VTC 6800 4-head
VTC
7150 Hi-Fi Stereo
VTC
7200 Hi-Fi Stereo
VTC 7250 SuperBeta Hi-Fi Stereo
Sears
5344 Hi-Fi Stereo
5317 Mono
Toshiba
Zenith
VR8510
The last beta machines purchased cost me $20 (Sony SL-HF300) and $1.00 (Toshiba V-M 30), respectively. I'm still able to purchase used tapes usually for less than $1.00 each, though I sometimes have to search to find them. Soon I'll have the manual for the SL-HF300 scanned and posted for download. You might notice that I have some other pics of my machines posted, as well.
