Beta Close-Ups

The Pioneer VX-90 SuperBeta was an interesting machine. It was an EXACT clone of the highest-selling Sony Beta of all time, the Sony SL-HF900 SuperBeta. Both were released in 1985, both were the first Beta to have a jog/shuttle wheel, and both could be modified to record and playback SuperBeta I (B-Is). Here are some detailed pictures of the VX-90.

Front of the unit...notice tri-colored "V" logo on front door

Left side of unit, showing Pioneer nameplate

Rear of the unit, showing connections

The Sony SL-HFT7 was an unusual Beta as well. First, it had a name, the SuperBeta Theater. Secondly, it had a built-in stereo amplifier; all you added was speakers! Next, it had different "sound fields", such as Concert, Stadium, etc., as well as a Bass Boost! Check out the pictures below!

The Sony EDV-30F was an unusual ED-Beta. Released in 1988, it was the industrial version of the EDV-9500. This one has the same editing features as the 9500, but loses the tuner, the remote, and the timer. (Note: See how to modify this machine to approach a 9500 on the BetaTips page!) Also, it was white. It did have a wired remote as an option. It also had a Tone control!

The Sears "Proformance" Beta Hi-Fi was an EXACT clone of the Toshiba VS-36 Beta Hi-Fi, except for its pewter color, and was made by Toshiba for Sears. A high-end unit, with 4 heads, a linear time counter (which worked in Playback and Record only, and with hours/minutes, no seconds), cable-ready, 8-event programming, and an audio-only setting to record Beta Hi-Fi audio with no picture.

(This is a unit your author used to own, and it was missing the right-hand door.)

Front of machine, with left-hand drop-down door opened.

"Proformance" plate on the front of the machine...
(on the Toshiba VS-36, this area says "Beta Hi-Fi")

Tuning controls.

Main function buttons.
Notice the dedicated BETASCAN buttons--
they could be initiated from the STOP mode,
were variable-speed, and LOCKING!

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The displays....double-speed playback indicator, Beta HiFi indicator, tape counter, random-access tuning, etc.

Settings on the right side of the machine, for clock, timer, etc.

The SL-2410 and 2415 were two Sony Betas that had a voice synthesizer circuit, that actually "spoke" to you when you performed certain functions on the machine...setting the timer, setting the clock, etc. Here are some pix of a 2410. Sound bytes of actual messages from this machine will come later.

Shot of the left side of the unit, showing voice volume controls and record speed controls.

Showing tuner and controls behind flip-down door

Rear of unit...notice connection for optional changer!

Rear plate

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