Sony Betamax SL-F30 video recorder multiple issues - Sony can be so clever!

[@fadhlematrook1248]

the sprig sensor right side is very important for thread and unthread mechanism and for begining tape detactor

[@MrBetaByte]

Absolutely - such a clever design but does catch people out!

[@stickytapenrust6869]

Now you know why I use Sanyo VTC5000s and 5150s for transfers! I would have lost my sanity on a Sony like yours! Great video! 🙂

[@MrBetaByte]

I do really like the VTC5000 and have a VTC5150 which I've owned and overhauled twice since buying it in 1992. Sanyo's aren't quite as refined and Sony's and not as much fun to use either but they are very competent and reliable machines which is the main reason I keep my Sanyo because pretty much if I have no working Sony, I know the Sanyo will still play a tape. Thanks for the comment :-)

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

@@MrBetaByte Have you ever worked on a 5300? That's a really fun one if you need to replace the loading belt. You have to remove the cassette carriage, remove the take-up reel table, remove the little plastic arm and gear which is in the way, replace the belt and then re-attach the little spring that falls off below the deck once you remove that "little plastic arm and gear" from the top side of the deck. If you don't re-attach the spring, the machine will not wind the tape back into the cassette if you try to eject it. It took me a whole day to figure it out!

[@borislazarov8475]

Hello I have a SL F30 that hasn’t been used for a long time. Maybe you can help. The problem I have is, when plugged into power socket it has clock on but does not power on when power button is pressed nor when cassette is inserted. I don’t know where to look at if you can point me to the right direction it would be nice. Thanks Greetings

[@MrBetaByte]

There are several things that can cause this. First thing is how confident are you on working on it? Are you happy/comfortable using service manuals? The first place I'd check is the power supply to see what is happening with the 'on' 12v supply (rather than the constantly on). The manual can be downloaded for free from here: freeservicemanuals.info/en/servicemanuals/viewmanual/Sony/SLF30E/SLF30UB/SLF30EC/711B2CHASSIS/ Let me know and we'll take it from there.

[@borislazarov8475]

@@MrBetaByte Hello Thank you very much for your reply and the service manual link. I have just downloaded the manual and will take a look later this days. I’m very confident working with a service manual and already repaired few VHS Sony vcrs, camcorders and many Walkmans but never a beta machine so that’s why I turned to you. On the Palsite it says the IC 601 should be replaced but I’m not sure. Do you have mail address so I can contact you in private? Many greetings Boris

[@MrBetaByte]

Hi Boris. Of course, it's [e-mail]

[@richardsmmo6328]

Great video, thank you. I checked the small hall sensor on the drum, and it's broken. Could you tell me what the sensor's type is?

[@MrBetaByte]

It's a Toshiba THS103. A THS119 is a good replacement.

[@richardsmmo6328]

@@MrBetaByte Thak you! Where can I buy it?

[@MrBetaByte]

@@richardsmmo6328 It's a THS103/THS103A hall-effect device and there are a few sellers on eBay who sell them. A Toshiba THS119 will also do the job well if you can find them. I am looking for a modern alternative solution so keep an eye on the channel for that.

[@presnimavanjevlada]

Thank you for such useful videos, a lot of things I could do now by myself. I have the same problem with the sensor and rewinding and I can't solve it because I don't have a spare sensor. :(

[@MrBetaByte]

I may well have a spare one - drop me an email to [e-mail] and we'll take it from there.

[@presnimavanjevlada]

@@MrBetaByte Oh thank you that would be awesome.

[@bobsbits5357]

hi i have some i better check over have not used them because i got alot of betacam decks in you know what it likeyou find new thing to work on

[@MrBetaByte]

I hear what you're saying - never enough time to look at everything and Betacam is really an amazing format.

[@phelissimo_]

Nice video! What do you think about the SONY SL-C40ES? Is it a good Beta machine?

[@MrBetaByte]

Thank you for the comment :-). I do like the C40 - newer version of the C9 but without the drop-out compensator switch for use with a PCM unit. It's basically a C30 with linear stereo which isn't on the face of it much use but it can help with getting the most out of the audio track on linear only recorded tapes and it does have Beta Noise Reduction which can help with the audio track quality. I will shortly have a C40 video on KZbin so keep an eye out and would love your comments too.

[@CL-qq4bz]

I have a Sanyo 7250 that's only giving me a black and white picture, any advice on how to fix this?

[@MrBetaByte]

That is a very good question and I remember this being a fairly common issue with several Sanyo models but can I remember what it was? Leave this with me - I've not worked on a Sanyo for around 15 years now and that was to do a belt and idler change on my VTC5150 machine I acquired in 1992.

[@CL-qq4bz]

@@MrBetaByte An update: If I tap on the top a few times, the color will come back, but it isn't permanent. Not sure if this narrows it, but would really like to fix this as it's quite annoying.

[@MrBetaByte]

That's sounding very much like bad solder joints (dry joints). I vaguely remember having to re-solder chips that had quite distinct solder failures on the legs. More than likely you can narrow it down by gently tapping around the board. Are you much into fixing these fine machines?

[@CL-qq4bz]

@@MrBetaByte I don’t, but I’m trying to learn. It looks like if I tap the delay line, it’ll temporarily fix the issue.

[@MrBetaByte]

@@CL-qq4bz That is sounding very much like a dodgy delay line - they can become intermittent, usually where the wire whisker or connecting lead attaches to the glass assembly inside. I might have one possibly...