Repairing SuperBeta and Betamax VCR's - Belts & Rollers

Three Sanyo Betamax VCRs models: VCR4010, VCR7200 and VCR7250. Why did I pick Sanyo? They are easy to find and aren't priced as "gold" like Sony Betamax VCR's tend to be. I obtained two of these from Facebook Marketplace and one from eBay. Repaired using inexpensive parts (see links below).
Fixing VCR's is a relaxing and fulfilling hobby, since the electronics tend to be in acceptable shape. Then you can collect "blank" tapes recorded from TV shows from the '80s. Make sure if you buy a used VCR that it powers up first! Betamax VCR's from the mid '80s are built to last...40 years or more!
Check out an O Ring (tire) kit on Amazon:
amzn.to/444QzE9
A cassette Belt Kit on ebay:
www.ebay.com/itm/165168485403
The pinch roller I had to buy for one of them (this may expire at some point):
www.ebay.com/itm/254870303178
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[@chrisandrus2735]

These machines are so beautiful in that 1980s way that I love!!☺️

[@lhoffmann6537]

The manual cannel tuning brought back memories! As a kid, I had a small television that had the exact same mechanism hidden behind a panel. To select channels, there was just a row of ten or so very clicky buttons.

[@chezsnailez]

OBR is 'One Button Record' - meaning you hit it and it will record for a set amount of time you can select by hitting it again till you get the time you want.

[@born_again_torinos]

My first major purchase in the 80s was a portable beta recorder and camera. $2,500. Then it was a home beta player which was also expensive. Had to pay the department store every month until they were paid off. I still have half a dozen betas laying around and a ton of tapes.

[@Petertronic]

Three lovely units there. My first VCR was a Sanyo 5000, very basic Beta top-loader, I enjoyed tinkering with that. Picture quality was not up to the Sony standard though.

[@Betafreak_GE]

Great Sanyo Betas

[@McSynth]

I love that there's a little screwdriver provided !

[@MitchellHang]

I was waiting for a video on the repair process of these VCRs, particularly the 7250 (also sold by RadioShack as the Realistic Model 22).

[@keithsandulak2292]

Great video. Mine is the 7200. I took it apart as shown. Problem is when stopping the tape does not return but balls up and needs to be detangles. Is that most likely the tires and their drive belt. The tape loading belt. Or the main belt? I love your O-ring tip. Lastly any suggestions for brand name for Belt Kits. There's a lot on e-bay and each looks totally different. Thanks for ALL the effort you put into demystifying these incredible inventions. Loved them thoroughly.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

I remember these 😁

[@ka7hqp182]

"Super Beta has a slight increase in picture quality", Right! Standard VCR picture quality was 230 lines of resolution or less, Super Beta was over 400 lines of resolution, a major improvement. In most cases you did not have a video source that could fully utilize the capability other than to use a high quality camera to show what Super Beta could actually do. Also, HiFi audio came out prior to when TV stereo was available and was a real treat, OMG... This sounded so good when hooked up to your stereo system.

[@matthewzepess5721]

Great video, recently picked up a Sony sl-5000 machine and essentially soaking up the basics of a more analogue design and tips before I jump into my own. Has trouble loading and appears to be famous for bad belts and caps so I’ll have an order in for that soon. I also have an issue where the very thin plastic plunger style buttons on what I assume is the timer like to shoot out. Noticing some are firm in place while others will easily pull out or shoot out if you press an adjacent button. Hoping some simple plastic epoxy will fix that for the limited use it’ll get.

[@HostiaRecords]

I have the black one with his remote control, is a very high quality VCR, better than a Sony Súper Beta HiFi too

[@grandadgamer8390]

OBR, think in UK we had OTR, it's one button record function I think. Great vid 👌 As a kid we had very early Sanyo top loader, weighed a tonne, would love to get one back for my gameroom 🙂

[@erikmolnar6585]

I found the giant top loader betamax player at Goodwill for 20 bucks about 8 weeks ago. Of course its broken but I have a feeling it may be the belts. Cant remember the brand but its the model that Sony also made with the dials on it.

[@ruikazane5123]

Who knew there was a Betamax machine maker other than Sony? Wow! Would love to see you crack into Betacam. Been thinking of getting a camera and deck myself for that real accurate tape video vibe (and because my laptop is of legal age and cannot do video editing well annnnnnnd come on...it's what broadcasters use(d)), the early version can use regular Betamax cassettes and provide you broadcast-quality recordings...but at the expense of time!

[@GaryKeepItSimple]

Toshiba Also did Betamax. They were good at the time.

[@MiSjAtUbE]

​@@GaryKeepItSimpleWe had a Technics at home

[@jasonhaman4670]

A Beta VCR that doesn't keep the tape threaded the entire time the cassette is loaded? That's just wrong. Goes against nature. But, I learned something new today. Thanks for the video!

[@tobroken1965]

Great video! Do you know if the spools drivers have clutches and sensors? Long story short, I have a Toshiba vm41, with a cheater tape it Performs all functions, with a complete tape however, the drive engages the geared drive, but the center post (the part that actually fits up into the tape spool) slips and withing a few seconds stops. It's like that center piece can't turn and maybe somewhere underneath is a sensor that detects the lack of motion, even while the gear drive is working. Any ideas would be great. I can't yet find the service manual.

[@MrBillmcminn]

That first VCR must have been used in the Chicago area, CBS on 2, NBC on 5, ABC on 7 WGN on 9 PBS on 11 (The Max Headroom channels) WFLD on 32 (later Fox) WSNS on 44 carried the OnTV pay TV service, WPWR on 60 before moving to channel 50, and 66 was another independent station that carried the Spectrum pay TV service

[@Captgreatvalue]

Thank you so much I just spent 300 on eBay for another Sanyo and it ate a tape and the o ring thingy broke I have 2 Sanyo betamax vcr4400 vcr 4600

[@databits]

Oh wow, $300 is way too much. If it was listed as “working”, I’d request a partial refund.

[@calzonemaniacsvideocorner0804]

Do you have to remove the tape mechanism? If so, how do you unscrew it from the deck?

[@marcopoblete113]

buen video

[@MitchellHang]

Do you recall the actual sizes of the belts you used for the back and front loading belts (particularly on the 7250)?

[@databits]

The front belt I used was an O ring from the kit like the one in my description. The back belt was from a cassette belt kit from eBay. Did not measure them tho.

[@Talefromthehangar]

Hi can you service my deck ? its the same one in the video except I can't get the plastic cap withe the springs off ?

[@sherwoodstudio1222]

So did you end up using the O-rings as belts? Or did you use the Cassette square belts from your eBay link? Just trying to figure out if I can get by with just using the O-rings from Amazon for my Sanyo 4030.

[@databits]

Both. The O Rings work as smaller belts.

[@sherwoodstudio1222]

@@databits Will order both sets then. Thanks again for making this video!

[@Captgreatvalue]

Question since they don’t sell that Amazon kit any more should the o ring belt fit tight and can you show us how to replace it step by step I’d like to show you pictures of mine if possible

[@databits]

I updated the link for the O rings. Thanks for letting me know. And I’m sorry I won’t have opportunity to show step by step.

[@CtrlAltPurr]

Any tips on how to get it to eject a stuck tape on a sanyo 3900. It ejected once, but never again. I have taken the top off the unit.

[@databits]

I think most of these models have a wheel on the right side of the tape well. Connected to a belt. See if you can turn that wheel by your finger.

[@jordonf9928]

I have the same Superbeta VCR7250. I serviced and fixed mine which did not want to play. After getting it all fixed up, I found out the HIFI audio did not work. Seems like the audio board located by the video head was no good. Tried replacing the caps and got low distorted sound. looks like they normally do require caps but still cant get audio working properly. Any other ideas?

[@databits]

Tracking being off and dirty/worn video heads may be an issue. I’ve found these to play commercial tapes alright, but struggle with recording. One of my test tapes ended up being stretched or warped…that was frustrating. Have you tried replacing that audio board?

[@marcopoblete113]

hola tengo un betamax sanyo,y el problema que tiene está un poco rapida la imagen al reproducir,me podria ayudar con eso porfavor saludo desde chile

[@ToumalRakesh]

I know a place where you can get VCRs repaired.... lightning fast....

[@bobsbits5357]

hi betacam sp is far better to fix as there's alot a round i worked on 100 plus over the years

[@metingokbulut837]

🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷💯💯💯💯👍👍👍👍

[@user-kb4si3ri3n]

DeBUG your VCRs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@databits]

Haha!! 🐜