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NEC (Nippon Electric Company) Betas VCRs from a mechanical standpoint are very much like Sony units. The model pictured above uses the familiar reel drive mechanism with the single pancake motor to drive a pendulum assembly. The reels are solid with torque and braking modes regulated by electronics. All the threading and tape path components are very much like we what have already seen up to now. NEC did use a different and somewhat more simple cassette loading assembly. All models suffered from the familiar shrinking and cracking over time of the parts made of molded polystyrene plastic. This becomes an issue mainly when it affects pulleys and gears. Belts were used in the loading and threading drives of most models. The very first designs used belts to drive the capstan but NEC opted early-on to eliminate as much rubber in their Betas as possible, because of its tendency to deteriorate over time. NEC didn't produce a large number of models and most of the refurbishing methods discussed in the previous sections would apply across their entire line. Clicking on the photo will bring up nomenclature on the various components.
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