Betamax VCR have problems playing prerecorded tapes.

[digicube]

Recent acquired a used SONY SL-HF900 and it has problems playing prerecorded tapes; lots of static at the bottom of the video. I have attached example video.

The prerecorded tape plays fine on another Betamax VCR, so it must be my SONY SL-HF900. I think the video heads maybe dying or I may have alignment issues.

Home recordings made on this machine doesn't have this problem but on occasions streaks will appear on the video.

[DB83]

I have not downloaded your clip although mega.nz is AFAIK clean.

But for < 14 meg why not just post it as an attachment here ?

[JVRaines]

The noise is cyclical so my guess is an alignment problem with a rotating part in the tape path (other than the drum).

[digicube]

I have not downloaded your clip although mega.nz is AFAIK clean.

But for < 14 meg why not just post it as an attachment here ?

Videohelp reported invalid file format. It doesn't support m4v. I guess I can change it to mp4.

[october262]

Since the unit is used, it probably wouldn't hurt to have it serviced.

[digicube]

Since the unit is used, it probably wouldn't hurt to have it serviced.

Nah, I got it for $50. I'm not gonna spend $200 to service it. I'll live with it or find some DIY tutorials.

[DB83]

Well since I mentioned it, I now downloaded the attachment.

I am no expert here but if self-recorded tapes do not exhibit this issue then I can not see it being an alignment issue.

My own take would be severe tracking - are these commercial tapes SP since I have seen such tapes as LP. And are you certain they are genuine tapes and not fakes. ?

I once obtained a tape from the US which was only available as NTSC. However it played/ captured as a PAL with no PAL60 ie B&W characteristics.

[digicube]

These are genuine commercial BII tapes. BI=SP, BII=LP, BIII=EP. Most prerecorded commercial Beta tapes are BII I think.

[JVRaines]

I am no expert here but if self-recorded tapes do not exhibit this issue then I can not see it being an alignment issue.

If it records out of alignment, it plays back in the same erroneous alignment — and looks okay.

[DB83]

^^ Ok. So you assume that the 'aligment' issue compensates itself at playback.

Of course anyone, in this scenario, with a vcr that has issues would only see those issues when playing back on another vcr - the issue would manifest itself on vhs as well.

More so that a seller can rightfully claim that the vcr is in good working order even if that is not the case.

[digicube]

Just made a home recording with a digital betacam tape. the quality was tiny bit better than a high grade betamax tape.

I was told not to use betacam metal tapes because it can damage the video heads. is this true?