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:

Way to go Echo. I never could understand why VHS won the format war when Beta is clearly superior in every way. I bet Sony is still scratching their heads too. I see a lot of Beta machines sell for mucho $$$ on ebay quite often so there must be more than a few Beta devotees still out there. Now that you've done the mod, if you wanna make some fun money, offer the service on ebay for $200 and you'll be rich.


Mike

Hey! Someone did reply. :D

Actually, since I am so pressed for cash lately, I have emailed the auction winners of SL-HF900's, telling them that I could add the BIs speed to their machine for $75 + parts. Two of them say they will contact me as soon as they recieve their machine and have a chance to verify functionallity. We'll see...

Goodwill down the street from me has a few original Beta movies if you are interested,cheap! About $2 or $3.

im looking to do this Mod to my Sl-HF900 its in great shape and would love to make it rec in b-i mode. if anyone know a link or has the instructions on how to do this please e-mail me. thanks

As I remember, the BI capable 900 was called an SL-HF900 Mk II in Japan.

I remember that mod. I recall doing it to my 900 and remember having trouble with it. It's possible that the mod instructions were incomplete, and that's why it did not work right. You have a link to the instructions? Would be fun to pull the 900 out of the rack and see what I did wrong 20+ years ago.

I still have my 900 - EXCELLENT machine! Sony included an excellent demonstration video with the unit that really showed off its superior resolution. :)

A serious blast from the past...

Here's the text file I saved...

I hear ordering parts such as this is getting more difficult from Sony. Best of luck!