The SL-HFR50 is a real gem of a "Hi-Fi Ready" Betamax. it is loaded with features consumers love and has the sleek, smooth styling that makes it a standout. Here's a great way to step into the premium Beta experience at a fraction of the high-end price. Exported to Canada, this Beta came with a silver or black cabinet. This is the black model. Links to more information are included in the listing of features below.
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Refurbished product that meets or exceeds factory specifications
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Standard Beta recording and playback in speeds and , plays
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Monaural audio recording and playback in speeds and , plays
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Betahi-fi stereo and monaural audio recording and playback †
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Input and output connectors for the audio/video LINE IN and OUT
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Feather touch transport function controls for operation ease
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BetaScan high-speed viewing in forward and reverse during playback
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BetaSkipscan high-speed viewing during fast forward and rewind
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Remote commander (included) wireless control of important functions
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BetaScan and BetaSkipscan in forward and reverse
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Freeze-frame pause picture, to let you see every detail
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Single gap video heads for solid recordings and longer life
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Edit out unwanted content using pause function
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Micro-timing phase (µTP) circuitry for noise free edits between scenes
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Step-motion singular frame advance using the remote
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Programmable timer with 7 day 6-event or every day recording
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Quick Timer recording button for extra convenience
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Timer Indictor with programming, function and operation stages
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Observation window over the cassette compartment
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4-digit tape counter for accurate tape locating
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BNR noise reduction to reduce hiss in the monaural sound track
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Multi-display for clock time, timer settings and other VCR indications
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Display brightness control in two steps
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Clock/counter button for checking tape location
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Express-tuning up and down of VHF, UHF and 24 cable channels
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UHF and VHF inputs for off-the-air antenna and cable connection
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RF output selectable for VHF channel 3 or 4
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Input switch for selecting source from the TUNER or LINE IN
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Manual tracking control for fine-tuning the best picture
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Auto functions: modules 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19 and 21 apply
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Reproduction of the original owner's manual
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Corrections and modifications: modules 1 and 2 apply
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Operation, safety, and protection features are standard
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Betahi-fi ready accepts the HFP-100 or HFP-200 adapter for stereo †
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Highlighted wording in the features list
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711B3 chassis design group

† To learn more about the Sony Hi-Fi adapters here. To examine the HFP-100 or HFP-200, visit the "Betamax Accessories" section by clicking here. To access the index page for the adapters 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.
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.

PERFORMANCE DATA: The SL-HFR50 can record and play standard Beta in and . It also plays recordings made in standard . Recordings made in standard Betahi-fI will play in the SL-HFR50 but they will not be in stereo. To record and play in Betahi-fi stereo requires an HFP HFP-100 or HFP-200. 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.







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.