Don't Laugh!!! Have a ? re. downloading a BetaMax tape

[act2]

Ok, everyone, please don't laugh. I got out my old BetaMax VCR the other day so I could burn a couple of tapes onto DVD's...(one is a coffeehouse in 1986, the other is the music challenge the same year) but lo and behold, it kept eating up my tapes.

I have searched the internet some to try to find an adapter but to no avail.

I called a local VCR repair shop and they dont fix BetaMax anymore. Can anyone help?

The decisions we make today form our future.

[Steve!]

You may have to try to find another BetaMax VCR.

Or you may have to try to find a service that does that.

It may just need a cleaning. Look around for other VCR repair shops, maybe another can help.

[Trefor Heywood]

Being a Betmax fan myself I won't be laughing.

It's very unfortunate that this superior system was beaten by VHS. But it does mean that service and repairs become considerably harder to get. I have a couple of Betamax machines that need fixing. I have been given details of a place in Manchester UK that does it but they would be PAL versions, not that this would affect the tape transport mechanics.

A site that may be of help is:

Betamax Palsite

For general information and has loads of links you can take a look at.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Trefor Heywood

"Cymru Am Byth!"

[Zixar]

You might try to find another Betamax VCR on eBay. Probably cheaper than what a repair shop would charge just to look at your other one.

[a little later...]

I just checked. There are several up for auction on eBay, from $8.00 on up to over $100.

Edited March 16, 2004 by Guest

[Trefor Heywood]

Yes ebay is a good site.

However watch the wording - any indication that "slight attention" or "heads need cleaning" means avoid like the plague.

But good ones can go for fabulous prices - one over here which was in immaculate condition, and still with box went for over twice its original price.

Trefor Heywood

"Cymru Am Byth!"

[act2]

Thanks for all the info. I did take the BetaMax apart the other day to see how it worked and how it was eating up the tapes.

I will pull up the website again that you gave me Trefor when I get home. I think with their help, I can fix it myself.

(I just need it to copy 2 tapes... hate to spend on another one, when that is all I need it for.)

[Trefor Heywood]

Yes act2 it's worth having a go yourself if you only want to do the one thing.

Failing that you might be able to find someone who can transfer the tapes for you.

Glad to be of help.

[socks]

Probably a stupid suggestion, but have you cleaned the heads? Several times? I had an old VHS deck that I wanted to keep and it kept fouling out tapes. Got a new one. Kept the old one and kept poking at it to try and bring it back. Finally completed about 5 cleans with a simple tape cleaner, starting stopping and voilah. Got a few more months out of it. You might also try a manual clean of the heads if a tape just won't load.

[act2]

Socks, a great suggestion...yes, I did clean the heads, but will try it again.

I was too tired last nite to fool with it.

Thanks for all the helpful tips.