Connecting a Betamax to a modern TV
Discussion
Hi, not sure if this is in the right forum, but I wonder if anyone has any experience with vintage Betamax recorders (yes I know Betamax
and how they can be connected to a modern or fairly modern TV.
The model I have is a Sanyo Betacord 9300 from the early 80s, and it weighs a ton, about 20kg, which doesn't seem that heavy but it is. As I have lots of old recorded shows and films on those tapes I decided check them out after, though the tapes and player have been stored in the loft for a good 20 years and have been played since. I decided to use an old CRT 14" TV (the only inputs being a scart and an aerial RF input) just to see if I could get a signal or the thing powered up at all, which luckily it did after changing the fuse on the pug. I used a standard aerial wire and connected one end into the "output" port on the rear of the player, and then the other end of the cable I connected into the aerial socket of the TV. As far as I'm aware this is the only way I can connect the recorder to the TV I am using. There is no connection for composite, though I have read that some players use a BNC connection (no idea what that is). I have selected the switch on the rear of the recorder to "video" not "camera". I have gone through all of the inputs on the TV to try and get a signal, but I can't seem to be able to tune it in.
The tape does play, but due to its long term storage the keys and tape belt are quite stiff (maybe need some additional cleaning), but I should at least get a inputting signal through the TV.
Anyone had any experience with these machines?.
and how they can be connected to a modern or fairly modern TV. The model I have is a Sanyo Betacord 9300 from the early 80s, and it weighs a ton, about 20kg, which doesn't seem that heavy but it is. As I have lots of old recorded shows and films on those tapes I decided check them out after, though the tapes and player have been stored in the loft for a good 20 years and have been played since. I decided to use an old CRT 14" TV (the only inputs being a scart and an aerial RF input) just to see if I could get a signal or the thing powered up at all, which luckily it did after changing the fuse on the pug. I used a standard aerial wire and connected one end into the "output" port on the rear of the player, and then the other end of the cable I connected into the aerial socket of the TV. As far as I'm aware this is the only way I can connect the recorder to the TV I am using. There is no connection for composite, though I have read that some players use a BNC connection (no idea what that is). I have selected the switch on the rear of the recorder to "video" not "camera". I have gone through all of the inputs on the TV to try and get a signal, but I can't seem to be able to tune it in.
The tape does play, but due to its long term storage the keys and tape belt are quite stiff (maybe need some additional cleaning), but I should at least get a inputting signal through the TV.
Anyone had any experience with these machines?.
Assuming you've got it connected up correctly, you'll need to tune your TV into the channel the VCR is outputting on. Your TV probably does auto-tune. Given that a) there are no analogue terrestrial TV broadcasts any more and b) you don't have the arial plugged into your TV via the VCR anyway, your VCR output should be the only thing it finds
So, start a tape playing, switch the TV to "Terrestrial / Analogue TV" input and run an autotune.
Your TV might also have composite in via an adapter - did anything come with the TV?
So, start a tape playing, switch the TV to "Terrestrial / Analogue TV" input and run an autotune.
Your TV might also have composite in via an adapter - did anything come with the TV?
Make sure your tv is set to analogue in the tuning menu.
Sometimes the old videos had a setup switch which basically made the video output a pair of vertical bars as a picture to allow you to fine tune the picture.
Most videos used to output at RF 31 or 35 iirc, although some had to be altered when channel 5 was introduced.
Sometimes the old videos had a setup switch which basically made the video output a pair of vertical bars as a picture to allow you to fine tune the picture.
Most videos used to output at RF 31 or 35 iirc, although some had to be altered when channel 5 was introduced.
The 9300 has a composite video out on the BNC socket.
Your TV will likely have a composite video input (post the make and model of your TV if unsure)
You will also need to run a separate audio feed to the audio in on the TV (these are usually RCA - aka 'phono' sockets) if using composite video.
On the back of the VCR, there should be a switch marked "Test signal" which will aid tuning it to the TV, and will produce the vertical black and white bars as mentioned by a previous poster.
Finally, with some modern TV sets, you may run into 'sync' issues where the TV cannot synchronise properly with the video signal coming from the VCR - this may result in a picture that "tears" or bends at the top - worst case might just be a garbled mess.
I used to repair these 'back in the day', so if you need any help...
EDIT: Corrected some typos.
Your TV will likely have a composite video input (post the make and model of your TV if unsure)
You will also need to run a separate audio feed to the audio in on the TV (these are usually RCA - aka 'phono' sockets) if using composite video.
On the back of the VCR, there should be a switch marked "Test signal" which will aid tuning it to the TV, and will produce the vertical black and white bars as mentioned by a previous poster.
Finally, with some modern TV sets, you may run into 'sync' issues where the TV cannot synchronise properly with the video signal coming from the VCR - this may result in a picture that "tears" or bends at the top - worst case might just be a garbled mess.
I used to repair these 'back in the day', so if you need any help...
EDIT: Corrected some typos.
Edited by TonyRPH on Thursday 15th November 12:26
Thanks for all the advice there, very much appreciated.
I will have another look at it soon when I have the time (though at present its in the loft as it's near on impossible, due to the weight of it, to bring it down safely). I have plenty of spare composite wires (red, white and yellow if that's what's needed?) knocking about, but I didn't think this particular make of Betamax had the suitable inputs for it, and if it does then it's surprising that all the years of owning the machine we never knew it could be connected up using those cables.
I know what you mean about the test signal bars, that does ring bells with me when we used to test it years ago, but so far I haven't had anything like that appear on screen. I have switch the various switches on the back of the video to see what happens, but nothing happens and no test bar. The TV I'm using at the mo is a 14" Daewoo CRT (can't remember what model I'm afraid, and I'm trying to find the manual which I should still have) from about the early 2000s. There is a remote for it that works - kind of, but when I press "Menu" all that is displayed is the colour, brightness, etc, but no tuning options as I can see, and the OK button won't work. There are a few buttons on the front of the TV for channel selection and sound, but nothing for tuning that I can see. Also on the front of the TV there are two inputs - one for for audio and one for video (composite). On the rear it has one scart socket and an aerial input.
It could just be that the recorder is knackered. It does power up, but the tape loading mechanism is slow. The keys seemed jammed at first trying, but then after few minutes of trying they became unstuck.
Managed to find a photo of the TV I have, though on this example the remote is slightly different:
https://sprzedajemy.pl/sprzedam-telewizor-daewoo-1...
.I will have another look at it soon when I have the time (though at present its in the loft as it's near on impossible, due to the weight of it, to bring it down safely). I have plenty of spare composite wires (red, white and yellow if that's what's needed?) knocking about, but I didn't think this particular make of Betamax had the suitable inputs for it, and if it does then it's surprising that all the years of owning the machine we never knew it could be connected up using those cables.
I know what you mean about the test signal bars, that does ring bells with me when we used to test it years ago, but so far I haven't had anything like that appear on screen. I have switch the various switches on the back of the video to see what happens, but nothing happens and no test bar. The TV I'm using at the mo is a 14" Daewoo CRT (can't remember what model I'm afraid, and I'm trying to find the manual which I should still have) from about the early 2000s. There is a remote for it that works - kind of, but when I press "Menu" all that is displayed is the colour, brightness, etc, but no tuning options as I can see, and the OK button won't work. There are a few buttons on the front of the TV for channel selection and sound, but nothing for tuning that I can see. Also on the front of the TV there are two inputs - one for for audio and one for video (composite). On the rear it has one scart socket and an aerial input.
It could just be that the recorder is knackered. It does power up, but the tape loading mechanism is slow. The keys seemed jammed at first trying, but then after few minutes of trying they became unstuck.
Managed to find a photo of the TV I have, though on this example the remote is slightly different:
https://sprzedajemy.pl/sprzedam-telewizor-daewoo-1...
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 15th November 12:30
Jukebag said:
<snip>
I have plenty of spare composite wires (red, white and yellow if that's what's needed?) knocking about, but I didn't think this particular make of Betamax had the suitable inputs for it, and if it does then it's surprising that all the years of owning the machine we never knew it could be connected up using those cables.
Those are not composite cables, they are separate RGB (red, green, blue) cables (although you can use them in singles as a composite cable - you only need one for composite video).I have plenty of spare composite wires (red, white and yellow if that's what's needed?) knocking about, but I didn't think this particular make of Betamax had the suitable inputs for it, and if it does then it's surprising that all the years of owning the machine we never knew it could be connected up using those cables.
Jukebag said:
I know what you mean about the test signal bars, that does ring bells with me when we used to test it years ago, but so far I haven't had anything like that appear on screen. I have switch the various switches on the back of the video to see what happens, but nothing happens and no test bar. The TV I'm using at the mo is a 14" Daewoo CRT (can't remember what model I'm afraid, and I'm trying to find the manual which I should still have) from about the early 2000s. There is a remote for it that works - kind of, but when I press "Menu" all that is displayed is the colour, brightness, etc, but no tuning options as I can see, and the OK button won't work. There are a few buttons on the front of the TV for channel selection and sound, but nothing for tuning that I can see. Also on the front of the TV there are two inputs - one for for audio and one for video (composite). On the rear it has one scart socket and an aerial input.
You can use a SCART adapter such as this one from Amazon and connect the composite output (and audio) to this, and select the SCART input on the TV (probably the best solution in my opinion). Jukebag said:
It could just be that the recorder is knackered. It does power up, but the tape loading mechanism is slow. The keys seemed jammed at first trying, but then after few minutes of trying they became unstuck.
There's every likelyhood that it'll simply chew up the first tape you insert (if you haven't already tried a tape).Scart adapter:
From what I've read about on Betamax forums, is that you need a BNC connection. Yet, I don't recall ever using such a cable, nor RGB, scart adaptor to get a signal. All I can recall is that we used a standard cable or some kind and simply connected the other end into the TV. I have lots of plenty of red, yellow and white and RGB type cables, and also a scart adaptor, but as I said I've never needed to use any of them when hooking up this video to a TV, not that I can recall anyway.
None of the RGB cables I have will fit into any of the available inputs that are on the rear of the 9300. I must have cables somewhere that I have used to get a video and audio signal from this recorder.
All that appears on the TV by pressing the buttons on the front are CH4, CH4, and SVHS. No test bar appears indicating an inputted signal from the recorder.
Yes it did chew up a tape on first play, and luckily I managed to pull the tape out.
None of the RGB cables I have will fit into any of the available inputs that are on the rear of the 9300. I must have cables somewhere that I have used to get a video and audio signal from this recorder.
All that appears on the TV by pressing the buttons on the front are CH4, CH4, and SVHS. No test bar appears indicating an inputted signal from the recorder.
Yes it did chew up a tape on first play, and luckily I managed to pull the tape out.
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 15th November 13:00
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 15th November 13:23
You would normally have used an RF connection, which consists of a standard 'Belling' aerial plug - the cable would have been male to female - the male end would have plugged into the TV, the female end plugs into the the video machine RF converter output.
Male to female TV aerial connector
You can get BNC to RCA adapters like these on Amazon
It will save you a lot of messing about trying to tune the telly - and - will yield a better picture (but not by much lol)
RCA / BNC converter.
Male --> Female aerial cable.
Male to female TV aerial connector
You can get BNC to RCA adapters like these on Amazon
It will save you a lot of messing about trying to tune the telly - and - will yield a better picture (but not by much lol)
RCA / BNC converter.
Male --> Female aerial cable.
Edited by TonyRPH on Thursday 15th November 13:28
I am using RF cables, one end connected to the "Ant Out" input of the recorder, and the other end into the TV. I assume that's the right procedure as no other connection will fit.
BTW, the model of TV I have is a Daewoo R-28B03. I just can't seem to be able to tune in, if tunining needs to be done.
BTW, the model of TV I have is a Daewoo R-28B03. I just can't seem to be able to tune in, if tunining needs to be done.
Not sure if this explains or assists my problem, but in this video there is a yellow phono cable inserted into the Video Out input in the VCR, but what is the cable connected to to enable the photo cable to be inserted?. You can't insert one of a phono cable into that input on my 9300 as it does not fit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu_ITfubQtc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu_ITfubQtc
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 15th November 19:12
FurtiveFreddy said:
Is this what the back of it looks like?
If so, the video in/out connectors are PL-259 not BNC, so you may be referring to a cable which converts one type of connection to the other?
Yes the back of it looks like that, except mine is silver/grey not black, but exactly the same model really. If so, the video in/out connectors are PL-259 not BNC, so you may be referring to a cable which converts one type of connection to the other?
I'm not sure what you mean by a cable which converts one type of connection to the other. As it was a long tome ago since I last used it, I can't recall what type of cable I used, only that it wasn't a phono/RGB/composite or phono-scart type of connection.
I have pressed the test signal switch to video, but nothing happens in the way of any test bars appearing, just static display from the TV. And I can't seem to tune it in.
The video example appears to show a silver cable with a yellow phono type wire above it in the Video Out port. Looks like an RF type one to me, but those don't seem to fit.
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 15th November 21:20
Is that not your video you posted then?
OK, so to recap - the test switch will put a test bar on the screen once you have connected an analogue TV to the aerial out socket (ANT OUT) and tuned the TV in to the channel the player is outputting on. This is assuming the player is fully working of course.
Reasons why you can't see anything on TV could be - broken player, broken aerial cable connecting player to TV, TV doesn't have analogue tuner, TV tuner is broken....
That flap in the middle says 'RF Converter"??? That may be a channel selector so you can change the channel the player is outputting on. Try playing with that as well as maybe your TV can't tune to the channel it's currently set to.
The other way you can get video (video only, no audio) out of the player is to connect a composite monitor or a composite video input on a TV to the 'Video Out' connector on the back of the player. For that, you will need a cable with a PL-259 male connector on one end and a BNC or phono plug on the other end. Or you could just stick the wires from the bare end of a composite video cable into the PL-259 socket if you want to bodge it and can't easily find a PL-259 plug.
Does that all make sense?
OK, so to recap - the test switch will put a test bar on the screen once you have connected an analogue TV to the aerial out socket (ANT OUT) and tuned the TV in to the channel the player is outputting on. This is assuming the player is fully working of course.
Reasons why you can't see anything on TV could be - broken player, broken aerial cable connecting player to TV, TV doesn't have analogue tuner, TV tuner is broken....
That flap in the middle says 'RF Converter"??? That may be a channel selector so you can change the channel the player is outputting on. Try playing with that as well as maybe your TV can't tune to the channel it's currently set to.
The other way you can get video (video only, no audio) out of the player is to connect a composite monitor or a composite video input on a TV to the 'Video Out' connector on the back of the player. For that, you will need a cable with a PL-259 male connector on one end and a BNC or phono plug on the other end. Or you could just stick the wires from the bare end of a composite video cable into the PL-259 socket if you want to bodge it and can't easily find a PL-259 plug.
Does that all make sense?
Edited by FurtiveFreddy on Friday 16th November 11:11
That's the same video has mine.
I think the likely cause is that I can't get the TV to tune in. I tried connecting a modern VHS recorder (a Sony SLV-SE740) to the TV to see if I could get any signal from that, but again nothing, and I'm sure connecting via scart would've automatically detected a signal.
I don't ever recall ever connecting the Betamax using the PL-259 cable. I'm fairly sure that the Ant Out was used.
Edit: If all fails using this method, is there any way I could connect the recorder up to a laptop?. I suppose I will need some kind of adaptor.
I think the likely cause is that I can't get the TV to tune in. I tried connecting a modern VHS recorder (a Sony SLV-SE740) to the TV to see if I could get any signal from that, but again nothing, and I'm sure connecting via scart would've automatically detected a signal.
I don't ever recall ever connecting the Betamax using the PL-259 cable. I'm fairly sure that the Ant Out was used.
Edit: If all fails using this method, is there any way I could connect the recorder up to a laptop?. I suppose I will need some kind of adaptor.
Edited by Jukebag on Saturday 17th November 09:56
Don't confuse SCART (video and component video and audio) with RF (antenna out)
When using SCART, there is no need to tune in to the signal, you simply select the "A/V" input on the TV (it will likely be called something other than A/V).
You can use this PL259 to RCA adaptor and then use an RCA to RCA cable to connect the video out from the VCR to video in on the TV (via a SCART adaptor - or even directly if your TV has an RCA socket for video.
If you have a modern flat panel LCD TV - you should have received some adapters with it when you bought it - there will likely be a component video adaptor (usually a short cable with a 3.5mm plug to 3 RCA sockets) and also a standard video adapter with a 3.5mm plug to a single RCA socket.
Your TV may even have a single RCA socket for video in (it's usually yellow in colour) - or - there might also be three RCA sockets in red, green and blue, one of which will be marked "Composite video".
Finally - you can buy Video to USB adaptors such as this one on Amazon - however - with respect - I suggest that if you are struggling this much with a simple VCR to TV connection, then using this USB converter may well be beyond the limits of your skills.
PL259 to RCA converter:
EDIT: You could simply send your tape(s) to Betamax to DVD transfers from video99.co.uk for transcription to DVD or video files.
"Cost to DVD just £13 for up to 2:30 hours, extra copies £3.50 or less."
I have no association with the above company - I just Googled and they were the first UK hit.
Additionally - if your VCR has been in storage for an extended period (especially if in the loft) there's every chance that condensation has caused pitting of all the aluminium parts such as the video drum and heads.
Is it all still shiny when you look into the mechanism?
You may just be better off making use of the above service.
When using SCART, there is no need to tune in to the signal, you simply select the "A/V" input on the TV (it will likely be called something other than A/V).
You can use this PL259 to RCA adaptor and then use an RCA to RCA cable to connect the video out from the VCR to video in on the TV (via a SCART adaptor - or even directly if your TV has an RCA socket for video.
If you have a modern flat panel LCD TV - you should have received some adapters with it when you bought it - there will likely be a component video adaptor (usually a short cable with a 3.5mm plug to 3 RCA sockets) and also a standard video adapter with a 3.5mm plug to a single RCA socket.
Your TV may even have a single RCA socket for video in (it's usually yellow in colour) - or - there might also be three RCA sockets in red, green and blue, one of which will be marked "Composite video".
Finally - you can buy Video to USB adaptors such as this one on Amazon - however - with respect - I suggest that if you are struggling this much with a simple VCR to TV connection, then using this USB converter may well be beyond the limits of your skills.
PL259 to RCA converter:
EDIT: You could simply send your tape(s) to Betamax to DVD transfers from video99.co.uk for transcription to DVD or video files.
"Cost to DVD just £13 for up to 2:30 hours, extra copies £3.50 or less."
I have no association with the above company - I just Googled and they were the first UK hit.
Additionally - if your VCR has been in storage for an extended period (especially if in the loft) there's every chance that condensation has caused pitting of all the aluminium parts such as the video drum and heads.
Is it all still shiny when you look into the mechanism?
You may just be better off making use of the above service.
Edited by TonyRPH on Saturday 17th November 11:16
I am familiar with scart connectivity and the fact that you don't need to tune the signal in whilst connecting a TV, video etc using this method. It seems though that the problem could be with the TV I used not tunnng in for some reason, and when I tried to test a VHS recorder using scart, nothing was detected. So could be the TV I'm using is on the blink, yet it wasn't that long ago when I tried it and seemed ok.
There's nothing on the tapes that are anything important such as home videos, just recordings of old shows etc.
There's nothing on the tapes that are anything important such as home videos, just recordings of old shows etc.
Jukebag said:
I am familiar with scart connectivity and the fact that you don't need to tune the signal in whilst connecting a TV, video etc using this method. It seems though that the problem could be with the TV I used not tunnng in for some reason, and when I tried to test a VHS recorder using scart, nothing was detected. So could be the TV I'm using is on the blink, yet it wasn't that long ago when I tried it and seemed ok.
There's nothing on the tapes that are anything important such as home videos, just recordings of old shows etc.
Your old 14" TV - what model is it and how do you tune in the channels? Has it got something somewhere which tells you the channel range it covers (usually 21-68 for the UK).There's nothing on the tapes that are anything important such as home videos, just recordings of old shows etc.
Did you look at that frequency selection bit on the back of the player? Does that have anything to allow you to change channels or does it have any channel numbers indicated on it? It looks a bit like that RF Converter module can be removed from the player. Maybe it's got a dirty connection so try removing it an reseating it if you can do that.
Then try adjusting it's output channel slightly to see if that gets you a signal you can tune the TV into.
Edited by FurtiveFreddy on Sunday 18th November 15:00
FurtiveFreddy said:
Your old 14" TV - what model is it and how do you tune in the channels? Has it got something somewhere which tells you the channel range it covers (usually 21-68 for the UK).
OP says his TV is the same as this - which is clearly sporting a yellow video socket on the front panel.Quite why he just doesn't buy a PL259 adapter and RCA cable is lost on me...
FurtiveFreddy said:
Did you look at that frequency selection bit on the back of the player? Does that have anything to allow you to change channels or does it have any channel numbers indicated on it? It looks a bit like that RF Converter module can be removed from the player. Maybe it's got a dirty connection so try removing it an reseating it if you can do that.
Then try adjusting it's output channel slightly to see if that gets you a signal you can tune the TV into.
Those RF converters were notorious for developing bad connections on the 'Test signal' switch, I lost count of how many I had to apply a liberal dose of contact cleaning spray to back when I used to repair & service them.Then try adjusting it's output channel slightly to see if that gets you a signal you can tune the TV into.
The trimmer that adjusts the frequency is also prone to damage, so it could be either the switch or the trimmer that's causing issues in the OP's case.
As I (and others) said before...
Use the video + audio outputs to video + audio inputs on TV and job done - however the OP seems hell bent on making his life as difficult as possible here!!!
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