Sony J-1 Betacam player can play Betamax tapes?

[ryangarfield]

I have a line on buying there above unit, but only need it for playback of Betamax tapes. I’ve been looking it up online and I can’t seem to find a definitive answer whether it will play Betamax tapes or not? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[dellsam34]

No.

[ryangarfield]

Thanks! That’s pretty definitive lol

[dellsam34]

Yep.

[lingyi]

More details: https://www.broadcaststore.com/store/model_detail.cfm?id=22153

Betacam in its various incarnations is a professional video format that is completely incompatible with Beta. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betacam

Pet peeve #186. Beta is the format. Betamax are only Sony Beta VCRs and Sony branded tapes. Which is why you have Betamovie, SuperBeta, Beta Hi-Fi, ED-Beta, Beta I, II, III, Beta Is, Beta Hi-Band, Beta Super Hi-Band

Ahhhh..I miss my Beta and Betamax days. *SIGH*

Edit: If you ever happen to come across a BetaSP tape, don't try to play it in your Beta machine. Not only won't it play, but some use metal oxide tape which is more abrasive and will cause extra wear on the videoheads.

More about the different Beta formats: https://mrbetamax.com/VersatileCassetteEDBeta.htm

A bit of trivia since you're looking for a Beta machine. Best to get a SuperBeta Hi-Fi machine, most of which are Sony Betamax. SuperBeta tapes won't play back on a non-SuperBeta machine.[Only a few Betamax] have S-Video out. The SL-HF2100 is very rare and super expensive, $$$$, but there are a number of Japan only ED-Beta (ED-Beta are not Betamax) machines, ED-Beta 5000, 6000, 8000 available on eBay for mid $$$.

Edit 2: I got it wrong. SuperBeta tapes played back on my Sl-HF2700 and SL-5800 with a herringbone pattern. Beta Hi-Fi tapes had a buzz played back on my SL-5800. They played back fine on my newer non-Hi-Fi SuperBeta machines.