Sony Super Beta - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

8 Tracker · 16th Mar 2013, 6:15 pm

Hello all,
I have had a Sony SL-HF950 for quite a few years now, though it has never seen much use while in my posession. I replaced the heads when I first got it, as there was quite a lot of picture drop-out, then it got left at the bottom of the pile. Now I have been given a box of brand new "Pro-X" tapes, which you have to use if you are going to record in Super Beta Pro mode. I thought I might use the beast a little more, now that I have some good tape to feed it with. I would like to do a full alignment on the machine, but can't seem to find any info on the web. Does anyone have any service or setup data on on this model?
Mark.

ben · 17th Mar 2013, 12:51 am

I've heard numerous accounts first hand of these machines being picky with tapes, showing excessive drop outs on all but very new tapes that had fewer than ten passes. Not sure why this might be.

ntscuser · 17th Mar 2013, 4:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

I've heard numerous accounts first hand of these machines being picky with tapes, showing excessive drop outs on all but very new tapes that had fewer than ten passes. Not sure why this might be.

I've had tapes labeled "S-VHS" (Maxell) which were clearly nothing of the sort and totally wrecked the performance of my S-VHS machine.

I suspect the same may be true for some Super-Betamax tapes?

8 Tracker · 17th Mar 2013, 9:40 am

Yes, I thought about that as well (thanks for the info), but once I replaced the heads, the drop-out problem disappeared. The tapes I have are genuine, sealed Sony Pro-X tapes, which were brought out especially for this machine (I think).
I also heard that this model suffered with static discharges causing picture drop-out, but this machine has plastic flaps around the cassette carriage to dissipate the static. I believe this was a later mod.
I don't have any major problems with the machine, just a little bit of ghosting on light/dark transitions. I wanted to go through the alignment to make sure everything was as it should be before I start using it. It seems service information is rarer than the machine.
Mark.

16th Mar 2013, 6:15 pm	#1
8 Tracker Hexode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 286	Sony Super Beta Hello all, I have had a Sony SL-HF950 for quite a few years now, though it has never seen much use while in my posession. I replaced the heads when I first got it, as there was quite a lot of picture drop-out, then it got left at the bottom of the pile. Now I have been given a box of brand new "Pro-X" tapes, which you have to use if you are going to record in Super Beta Pro mode. I thought I might use the beast a little more, now that I have some good tape to feed it with. I would like to do a full alignment on the machine, but can't seem to find any info on the web. Does anyone have any service or setup data on on this model? Mark.

17th Mar 2013, 12:51 am	#2
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Sony Super Beta I've heard numerous accounts first hand of these machines being picky with tapes, showing excessive drop outs on all but very new tapes that had fewer than ten passes. Not sure why this might be. __________________ Regards, Ben.

17th Mar 2013, 9:40 am	#4
8 Tracker Hexode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 286	Re: Sony Super Beta Yes, I thought about that as well (thanks for the info), but once I replaced the heads, the drop-out problem disappeared. The tapes I have are genuine, sealed Sony Pro-X tapes, which were brought out especially for this machine (I think). I also heard that this model suffered with static discharges causing picture drop-out, but this machine has plastic flaps around the cassette carriage to dissipate the static. I believe this was a later mod. I don't have any major problems with the machine, just a little bit of ghosting on light/dark transitions. I wanted to go through the alignment to make sure everything was as it should be before I start using it. It seems service information is rarer than the machine. Mark.