EchoWars
11-09-2002, 04:09 AM
Yes, it's a Beta. Yes, it's old. Yes, I still love it. I should..the bloody thing cost over $1000 when it was new. :eek:
Was stumbling about the web last Sun when I ran across this site detaling how to modify the old 900 to record at the BIs speed. If you know Beta machines, you know that BIs (BI Superbeta) provides an astounding picture at the expense of tape (the standard L-750, usually a 3-hour tape at the 'normal' BII speed, is eaten-up in 90 minutes).
One of the things that always bugged me about the 900 was that the Japanese version included the BIs speed, whereas Sony left it off of the US model. Why they would is anybody's guess. I also learned that there were techs in the US who would mod your 900 to add the BIs speed for about $250. I nearly did this several times, but usually I was too pressed for cash to jump on it.
After finding the web site, I see that all it will take is three transistors, a diode, a relay, and a 1K resistor. $30 worth of parts from Sony, and I had a guide on how to do it. Cool. I ordered parts from Sony online that night.
Parts came in today. The whole mod took me about 3 hours (mostly trying to find the component placement on the boards...pretty damn busy in that machine!!)
Reconnected the machine, fired it up, promptly recorded 'Robbery-Homicide Division' on CBS at my new uber-BIs speed.
Playback is outstanding for an analog format!!! Damn...wish I had been able to use BIs all these years, it flat ROCKS!! Puts any S-VHS or regular VHS to shame...
I guess I would be suprised if anyone here was still using a Beta, and probably more suprised if anyone replied to this thread. Regardless, wanted to share my elation at having a machine able to record at near-pro levels. Way cool.
:beerchug:
Was stumbling about the web last Sun when I ran across this site detaling how to modify the old 900 to record at the BIs speed. If you know Beta machines, you know that BIs (BI Superbeta) provides an astounding picture at the expense of tape (the standard L-750, usually a 3-hour tape at the 'normal' BII speed, is eaten-up in 90 minutes).
One of the things that always bugged me about the 900 was that the Japanese version included the BIs speed, whereas Sony left it off of the US model. Why they would is anybody's guess. I also learned that there were techs in the US who would mod your 900 to add the BIs speed for about $250. I nearly did this several times, but usually I was too pressed for cash to jump on it.
After finding the web site, I see that all it will take is three transistors, a diode, a relay, and a 1K resistor. $30 worth of parts from Sony, and I had a guide on how to do it. Cool. I ordered parts from Sony online that night.
Parts came in today. The whole mod took me about 3 hours (mostly trying to find the component placement on the boards...pretty damn busy in that machine!!)
Reconnected the machine, fired it up, promptly recorded 'Robbery-Homicide Division' on CBS at my new uber-BIs speed.
Playback is outstanding for an analog format!!! Damn...wish I had been able to use BIs all these years, it flat ROCKS!! Puts any S-VHS or regular VHS to shame...
I guess I would be suprised if anyone here was still using a Beta, and probably more suprised if anyone replied to this thread. Regardless, wanted to share my elation at having a machine able to record at near-pro levels. Way cool.
:beerchug: