One of the most unusual (and unique) SuperBetahi-fI video recorders ever made. From a styling perspective alone it is a standout. But the real beauty of this unit is under the hood. Sony improved the way the SL-HF2100 records a picture while still making it fully backward compatible with all the Betas that came before it. They named this new engineering the Opt-4 system. It is uses a video head disk similar to the DA4 used in the SL-HF900, SL-H750, and GCS-50, but employs a dual set of compound video heads of different sizes. Regular DA (dual azimuth) heads are special, and only found in high-end Betas. The dual azimuth are same on each side. This is done so that while the tape is stopped, they can repeatedly trace one frame over-and-over again; and create a clear picture during pause and step-motion. But for the SL-HF2100 Sony changed the engineering and made the front part of the head larger and used its gap to record all three speeds. This unique switching method insures that a large signal is always recorded. During playback the heads are switched. The larger ones play s and and the smaller, secondary ones are optimized for playing and special effects. Combined this with it's flying erase heads and you get a magnetically clean tape area directly in front of the recording heads. They prepare the tape media (recording area) just prior to the recording event. The result is edits that are clean with glitch-free transitions with no moiré effect. Still pause and slow-motion playback pictures are clear and rock steady. And Sony incorporated some of its digital expertise into this model too. A five-stage signal processor helps clean, filter, and separate the video signal before it goes to those Opt-4 heads for a near-perfect, precisely recorded picture. It seems that every area was examined, improved, and made better. The unique front drop-down panel incorporates two touch-sensitive glass plates illuminated by soft amber backlighting. These permit control of most of the operations. The panels have a graphic layout of the buttons and arrows printed on the special glass that senses the slightest pressure of a finger. There are no buttons or knobs on the front of the SL-HF2100. The fluorescent display creates numbers and letters from dots with an impressively subdued yellow-orange glow. It shows the time as well as spells out instructions, timer functions, recording information, elapsed time, and other information, some of it done in marquee style. An interesting status wheel (actually a set of small bars that radiate outwardly in a circle) indicate tape movement and tells you the direction and speed. Because the flip-down door is translucent, the clock display and status wheel shine through it when it is placed in the closed position. So do several LED indicators that show if a tape is inside, Betahi-fi is on, etcetera. The Hi-Band s mode for the SL-HF2100 is impressive too. It uses a 6.0 MHz luminance expansion for sharper images and more detail. The highest of any SuperBeta. You will want to use your very best quality videotape when recording in s for the optimum results and to get the maximum benefit of this Beta's recording capability. SuperBeta and look almost as good as BIs, but if you have a big screen TV, you'll want to knock your eyes out with the Super Hi-Band recordings. The remote is very different too; using a similar touch screen technology, it requires learning a new approach to VCR control. The remote and VCR actually communicate with each other when settings are made. The only way to make the clock and timer settings is with this special remote, but other Sony Beta remotes can control the many of the unit's functions. For ease of operation and to simplify operation I include the Sony RMT-124 remote with your purchase. For more on the remotes click here. Now for the nuts and bolts. Gold-plated A/V connectors ensure that signals to and from this machine are positive and clean with little signal loss. S-video sockets are also provided. For unassisted recording you can program 8 programs to record over a one-year period. For the added convenience "Quick Timer" incremental recording is available. There are control-S and control-L terminals. Index marking, and Synchro-edit for making better copies and playing PCM recordings. Automatic video heads cleaner (the only Beta to ever have one). Unique digital auto-tracking (can be overridden). Bi-directional infrared communication between the remote and the machine allows commands to be issued to the SL-H2100 and then confirmed back to the remote and vice versa. The SL-HF2100 is unique and outstanding. 1 fine beta! Links to more information are available from the listing of features below.

• Refurbished product that meets or exceeds factory specifications
• SuperBeta and standard Beta speeds and recording and playback
• SuperHi-Band Beta 6.0 MHz s and standard Beta playback
• Betahi-fi stereo and monaural audio recording and playback
• Input and output connectors for the audio/video LINE IN and OUT
• S-video inputs and outputs for improved line quality
• Opt-4 recording system with two dual azimuth heads for greater picture clarity
• Five stage digital processing for a cleaner video
• Flying-erase heads for seamless edits
• Audio dub for inserting your separate sound track
• Direct to play for switching to playback from record pause
• Status wheel for tape rotation information
• Touch panels for VCR operation with LED soft glow Illumination
• Dot matrix digital fluorescent display
• Linear time readout showing hours, minutes and seconds
• Programmable timer with eight events over one month
• Cable compatible with reception for 1-125, A-8 to W+84 channels
• RF input for VHF, UHF and cable connection
• RF output selectable for VHF channel 3 or 4
• Timer Indictor with programming, function and operation stages
• Time remaining display with search function
• Tape return with automatic playback
• Stereo broadcast multichannel tuning with SAP reception
• Quick Timer recording in 30 minutes segments up to five hours
• Time search for tape location by hours and minutes
• Control-S in and out for centralized IR control
• Control-L 5-pin DIN interface for adding accessories
• Betascan high-speed viewing in forward and reverse during playback
• UltraSkipscan high-speed viewing during rewind and fast forward
• Micro-timing phase (µTP) editing circuitry for clean edit points
• Step-motion with single, 1/5 and 1/10 frames per second
• Remote control (included) with advanced touch screen interface
• Commander mode selector: VTR code 1, 2 or 3 for remote and VCR
• Assemble and insert editing for professional video/audio composing
• Auto-tracking control for locating the tracking center
• Tape stabilization system with impedance wheel
• BNR noise reduction to reduce tape hiss in the monaural sound track
• PCM switch for making better copies and playing PCM recordings
• SuperBeta indicator shows a recording is being made in SuperBeta
• Betahi-fi indicator shows a recording is in Betahi-fi stereo
• Synchro-editing for controlling a second recorder
• Editing indicator verifies that the VCR is operating in the edit mode
• Sharpness control picture adjustment
• Video heads cleaner controlled sequencing
• Index functions: mark, search and erase
• SuperBeta on/off switch for playing and making standard Beta recordings
• Automatic panel opening if close prior to a requested eject function
• Audible beep touch panel function verification (can be turned off)
• DVD friendly performance offers extra control over the playback
• Power failure back up to protect timer settings up to one hour
• Unswitched AC Outlet for connecting another device up to 200 Watts
• Manual tracking buttons on touch panel for overriding auto-tracking
• Auto functions: modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20 and 21 apply
• Corrections and modifications: modules 3, 4, 5 and 9 apply
• Operation, safety, and protection features are standard
• Original owner's manual with correction sheet and quick reference guide
• Highlighted wording in this features list
• 711chassis design group not indicated

To open a page showing the rear panel of this SL-HF2100 click here.

  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 SL-HF2100 is the only Betamax to come with a touch screen remote that lights up. This complements its golden-glow lighted drop-down, touch-controlled front panel door. This and the remote combination were unique, but just as interesting is that the remote and VCR communicate with each other. And they both announced this collaboration with an audible beeping confirmation signal. This was to indicate that their conversation was successful. It works like this. When setting the clock using the RMT-2100A (A for American) remote, which is the only way I know of doing it, you would enter the year, month, date, and time using the remote's touch screen. Once programmed into the remote, you would press send, and the VCR sets its clock, beeps, and then sends back a signal to the remote, which also beeps. This confirms that the process was successful. This method is also used for setting timer recording dates and times. There is a minor problem, however. The VCR's clock only accepts the years between 1992 and 2007. Why? I don't know exactly. Maybe Sony thought all of these VCRs would be gone by 2007 (after fifteen years). Well, they were wrong. So how come the SL-HF1000 and the EDV-9500 can go all the way up to the year 2099? Different programming method. Anyway, to set the date and time for the right day of the week (for the current year) requires tricking the clock. This is done by entering a year where the days match the year you are currently in. I have a chart that explains how to do this. To see it click here. This method works fine as long as you stay within the current year, but it will not work when recording from one year into the next. The clock won't change over either. You will have to redo everything after January one and fool it again. Thanks, Sony.
Question: Could this be a 15th anniversary Betamax? On their Website, key in Sony > support > manuals, and it is identified as a 15th anniversary Betamax, but it didn't make it to the USA until 1991. Fifteen would be at 1990 (1975 - 1990 = 15). So, maybe in Japan it was released in 1990. Seems that it was. Once it was discovered here in the states, and that it wasn't going to come to the USA, there was a write-in campaign to get it here. In Japan it was the SL-2100 and it had linear stereo as well as Betahi-fi. Runs on 100-volts, has some extra features, picture is the same, NTSC.

The SL-HF2100 has a little secret. Its operating instructions manual had a hard time keeping the specifics in focus. I say this because they reprinted the 130 instruction booklet at least four times that I know of. How do I know this? Because with each reprint the part number changed. For starters, in the service manual, the original part number is 3-752-309-21. This was accurate at the time the manual was printed. During production, when changes are made that affect a particular model Sony sends out a bulletin(s) to alert service people, so they can keep their manuals current. Circuit changes are sometimes made in mid-production, so these can be very important. Now, about that part number (which is on the front of each booklet). So the original number was just for the first printing of the instruction manual. But it had a few printing errors and some bogus information in it. So did the handy 20-page remote reference guide that was included. To overcome these errors Sony also included a correction sheet so owners could make changes and upgrade there manuals. But the errors were significant. So Sony reprinted the manual over again because the VCR continued to sell well. The new version was replaced during the current run of VCRs. To keep track of these improvements Sony added a number to the original so the newer manual became 3-752-309-21(1). It too is right there on the front of the booklets. A bulletin was generated to upgrade the part number for the service manuals. But the new printing had errors in it. What? Yep, important enough to do it over again and create a new number. So along came versions 22(1) and then later 23(1). By the third edition it was pretty close to accurate. Each update had its own correction sheet, but it WAS getting shorter even as they were discovering new errors. The last printing came near the end of the model's production. The numbers on the reference guide changed too as it was also being updated along the way. Now for something that will blow your mind. Right out in front where you can't miss it is a "hidden in plain sight" error that appeared in every edition. On page 89 in big blue letters at the top of the page is the line "To Cancel Timer Settting in the Timer Recording Standby Mode." This is exactly how the line is printed, with three t's in the word "Setting" and no one caught it, even after all three reprints. But hey, it does tell us that this VCR sold well enough to make four editions necessary in order to meet the demand. The model SL-HF2100 was a fine specimen of how forward-thinking and unique Betamax could be. And the operation booklet was a beautifully printed piece that was every bit as nice as the VCR. But there was just something about that manual that haunted Sony. To open a panel that shows this episode in detail, click here.

Another
This Beta is one of only five USA models from Sony that featured S-Video inputs and outputs. The reason for this upgrade is they are very high-end units that provide the very best picture performance that Betamax can provide. Why is S-Video so special and reserved for only the finest of Betas? Here is the lowdown. To store information on magnetic media like videotape the electrical impulses must be converted to something that can excite microscopic iron particles (or another suitable alloy) and cause them to hold a negative or positive polarity position. In the process of converting the video signal (also known as the USA NTSC composite standard) to analog energy that the tape can hold on to, the raw incoming information (active) has to be changed. Converted into something that can be relayed by the video heads in the form of magnetic pluses or minuses. To playback, a recording (passive), the conversion process is reversed. Here are three ways video can be inputted into the VCR for processing. One is using the RF In (or tuner), second, is the composite video (RCA connector usually in the back using a shielded cable with a yellow plug) and third, is S-Video (also usually in the back and requiring a cable having a 4-pin DIN plug). Audio is not going to be covered in detail here since we are mainly concerned with the picture quality. The least desirable way to feed in the video signal in the VCR is through the tuner. This would come in on a coaxial VHF or UHF channel or TV cable. To record this, the VCR has to internally change the selected TV channel RF into a composite signal. Next, it must divide that signal into two electrical elements. These are the luminance, designated as the Y element (which is the basic black and white signal responsible for brightness and detail), and the chrominance, designated as the C element (which is the color information added to the luminance). Because these are two separate types of signals they must be handled differently when recorded. If the video coming in is in black and white the VCR will make a decision to turn off the C circuit and only record or play the Y component. Because the tuner is involved in this method there is the possibility that line noise from an outside source, or a weak input, or the electronics can be a little off, can find its way into the recording. This method is very dependent on the quality of the source and it is very sensitive. Because of these shortcomings, most recorders have composite video inputs and outputs for a more direct connection to the electronics. Using these connectors eliminates the tuner and results is a more direct, and therefore cleaner recording. Now the VCR only has to separate the Y and C signals, no messing with the tuner, or TV reception. With S-Video, the connection is even more direct. An S-video cable has two separate lines, one each for the Y and C. IWith this connection the VCR doesn't have to divide the two signals (like with composite video). This involves even less processing and less electronics. The result, a more direct connection with an even better and cleaner transfer of the signal. This is what makes S-video desirable over composite video and way better than using the tuner. When it comes to outputting the signal, the same benefit is gained, only in reverse. Audio is handled separately, having its own individual connectors when using composite or S-video (or the composite RCA cable). Does S-video offer any improvement when the video is in black and white? Yes, it does. Because the separate Y signal is more direct and therefore also cleaner with less electronics involved. S-video is a win-win situation when it comes to picture quality and clarity.

On a different note. All SL-HF2100 units have a couple of design flaws that are corrected when I do my refurbishing. One, is the drop down panel illumination lights will go dark over time. The panel lighting is provided by an array of LEDs that are powered using several thin wires that are flexed when the door is opened. These fatigue, wear out, and separate over time. Once this happens, the pleasant soft orange glow of the glass touch panels disappears. Then a rather time-consuming corrective repair must be performed to restore their illumination. I have devised an improvement that helps prevent this failure from repeating, and every unit I offer for purchase is modified accordingly. The other, less common problem, is the electromagnets located in the faceplate (behind the door) stop functioning. They are used to open the drop-down door when eject is pressed on the remote or when a cassette is ejected (and the door is closed). I also have a repair for this little annoyance. For more information on these, and other, corrective measures, consult the "Corrections and upgrades" panel link in the features list above, or click here.

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 examine the accessories that are available to expand your Betas versatility visit the "Betamax Accessories" section by clicking here.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: This SL-HF2100 records and plays SuperBetahi-fI in the and speeds. It also records and play tapes in SuperHi-Band 6.0 MHz s. Audio is Betahi-fi stereo and monaural. SuperBeta can be turned off for recording in standard Beta. Tapes recorded in monaural will play but not in stereo. This VCR was manufactured after Sony purchased the Columbia Pictures group in 1989. It therefore is unable to copy factory tapes that were recorded utilizing Copyguard encryption protection. To examine a Beta format compatibility chart click here. The SL-HF2100 MSRP was $1699.00 in 1988, that's around $3550.00 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.