DESCRIPTION OF SONY SLIMLINE SL-2410

The SL-2410 is Sony's premium E-Z Beta slimline series recorder with the added convenience of speech assistance. Features both BetaScan and BetaSkipscan high-speed picture search. The second option lets you switch into BetaScan mode to see where you are on your tape during fast-forward and rewind modes. Features freeze-frame pause with picture, to halt the action. User-friendly 3-week/4-event timer for automatic unattended recording. Soft-touch 14-pushbutton express tuning with UHF, VHF, and CATV channels. Wireless remote commander for the essential functions of the VCR. Easy-to-use controls and a straightforward design makes this Betamax a favorite. There were three models of talking Betas and this is the silver edition. Links to more information are available from the listing of features below.
• 
Refurbished product that meets or exceeds factory specifications
• 
Standard Beta recording and playback in speeds and , plays
• 
Monaural audio recording and playback in speeds and , plays
• 
Input and output connectors for the audio/video LINE IN and OUT
• 
Voice synthesizer confirms settings and offers helpful instructions
• 
Programmable timer with 4 events over three weeks or every day
• 
Timer Indictor with programming, function and operation stages
• 
Express-tuning with up and down selection of channels using the remote
• 
Push button 14 presets for VHF, UHF and cable for 148 channels
• 
UHF and VHF inputs for off-the-air antenna and cable connection
• 
RF output selectable for VHF channel 3 or 4
• 
Audio chime sounds on the hour (switchable)
• 
Wireless remote control (included) for important functions
• 
4-digit counter for accurate tape location
• 
Multi-display for clock, timer settings, tape direction and more
• 
BetaScan high-speed viewing in forward and reverse during playback
• 
BetaSkipscan high-speed viewing during fast forward and rewind
• 
Freeze-frame pause control for editing between scenes
• 
Tape direction and speed indication system
• 
Feather touch transport function controls for easy operation
• 
Single gap video heads for solid recordings and longer life
• 
PCM switch for making better copies and playing PCM recordings
• 
BNR noise reduction to reduce hiss in the monaural sound track
• 
Manual tracking control for fine-tuning the best picture
• 
Betastack® changer (optional) AG-500 handles up to four cassettes
• 
Auto functions: modules 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 9, 11, 19 and 21 apply
• 
• 
Operation, safety, and protection features are standard
• 
Reproduction of the original owner's manual
• 
Highlighted wording in the features list
• 
711B chassis design group


  To see a vintage magazine advertisement click here.
  To see a national sales distribution map click here.
  To see a popularity graph by model click here.

The first slimline Betas were very successful. Sony knew they had a winner after the first SL-2300s hit the shelves. But these units all had a primitive wired remote, and it was only natural that the next models would break the chains of the dreaded cable. This new SL-2400 series duplicated the success of the SL-2300s in a big way. The case was now smoother, but the popular centralized button array was retained. So was the easy clock and timer setting. The new infrared remote now gave the consumer full control over all the important functions without the unpleasantness of the cord. The popular colors were carried over for the most part with the addition of some new ones. Several new advanced models were also added to the line and showed consumers that Sony was still on top. Some of these sported a variation in the model number just to keep the confusion going. There was the SL-2400 and SL-2401 in three colors each, the SL-2405 in a carmel-colored case, and the SL-2406 in a new purple color. Three high-end units featured the power of speech. These were two SL-2410s, one with a simulated leather case and one in silver, and the SL-2415 that had a suede finish. The top contender in the series was the outstanding SL-2500 that did almost everything but wash your car. These last four models also accepted the amazing Betastack® cassette changer. Added to this lineup were the Canadian and European variants. Some had different numbers (SL-2408C), and some didn't. So there was a lot going on. Only Sony knew what was what. So things were going great for Beta and the future was looking cheerful going forward to the next string of advanced models. The double-digit Betas.


Before the slimline Betas came along, all the Betas were big. These were the 5000 series that can be seen here by clicking on the following links. (A popout panel will open.) SL-5400, SL-5600, SL-5800, and the wierd SL-8600. Then the numbers kind of started over again for some reason with the boxy SL-5000 series. Examples of this 5000 series of imposing VCRs were the SL-5010, SL-5020, SL-5100, SL-5101, and SL-5200 (the first Betahi-fi stereo Betamax). Sony knew that to stay the gold standard of home video, they were going to have to make Beta more modern, more appealing, and more advanced. Sony decided it was time for a new criterion and for this, a completely reengineered tape compartment was invented. The old bulky 710 chassis was abandoned, and a new, smaller 711 chassis opened the way for a slimmer, lower, smoother shape. To perform this feat required the video drum to be made shorter and more compact. This was accomplished with the help of a new, flat brushless motor. This new motor type also allowed for a shorter capstan and reel motors. The audio, erase, and control head (ACE) was also redesigned and made more compact. Everything was reduced in size, including the tape path guides and rollers. The loading and threading operation of the tape was reconfigured. Now the tape was pulled out of the cassette and wrapped around the video drum by a sliding shoe called a shuttle. The #2 and #3 guides were mounted on a smaller circular ring than the old style, and stored away in a tunnel prior to threading. When the tape was loaded, the ring rotated, and they were moved and raised up to assume their final locations. The pinch roller was mounted on a geared slide that locked into position at the completion of threading. All this was reversed when eject was requested. It was nearly a complete overhaul of the system. To look at the changes that took place in the tape path and the simplicity of the new, 711 chassis, click here. Now all new Betas would be smaller, shorter, and more compact. They didn't look as formidable and massive as before but were still strongly built like their predecessors. This was going to be the future of Beta, and Sony went all out. All the new models would be slender. Barely taller than two cassettes stacked on top of each other. New slogans were adopted. These were going to be the slimline and E-Z Beta VCRs. New colors were introduced, and new exterior case concepts were forged. The Beta market soon became populated with a wide assortment based on a central theme. Video recording mania has started. And Sony, along with the other Betamakers that followed suit, sold a lot of machines. They were on a roll and if you wanted a Beta and you couldn't find something to match your particular color scheme or design preference, it was mainly your fault. There were red, white and blue units. There was a tan, brown, gray, beige, silver, sand, gold, chocolate, pink, sepia, purple, and black. Ones with stained wood patterns, a suede textured buff color, a mahogany stain, and a carmel-colored pebbled finish. These were the good times, and variety was king. The main thing that remained the same was the tape path (the wrap or envelope) around the video drum. It was still Beta and was fully compatible with recordings made earlier by vintage machines. To see the handbill* for the E-Z Beta system click here.
*Sony produced a mountain of support literature for their Beta format. More than all the other Betamakers combined.

Is this the Betamax you are looking for? To make selection easier I have put together a table that lists them by their pedigree. To see it click here.

To learn more about the Sony changers click here. To examine the AG-500 BetaStack changer click here. To look at the line-up of other accessories that are available, visit the "Betamax Accessories" section by clicking here.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: The SL-2410 can record the standard Beta picture in the and speeds and play standard Beta , and . Audio is monaural. Tapes recorded in Betahi-fi will play but not in stereo. SuperBeta tapes will play but might exhibit picture noise. This VCR was made prior to 1989 and should be unaffected by Copyguard encryption. To examine a Beta format compatibility chart click here. The MSRP for the SL-2410 was 775.00 in 1984 or $1940.00 in todays money.







I refurbish all the Beta VCRs offered through my Website. If you would like to examine how this is accomplished, I have composed a special section that explains how it's done. To go to the "Beta Refurbishing" section, click here. Read an important message about my refurbished VCRs by clicking here. Do you have one of these premium Betas that isn't working? It is eligible for repair along with a lot of others. To see the list of candidates, click here. For service, click on "Getting It Repaired" in the right button array or click here.

*These rating numbers are comparisons between the Beta VCRS within this particular design group. Contributing factors are engineering quality, popularity, aesthetics, execution, repair frequency, and the number of features and their benefits. Analysis is subjective and should not be considered an endorsement.