DESCRIPTION OF SONY PRO SLO-1800

The SLO-1800 is an industrial strength duplicator designed for mass producing large quantities of prerecorded movies, music videos and special interest Beta tapes. It is built for continuous operation and ease of maintenance. All the areas that would normally see the most wear are beefed up and built with endurance in mind. For example the cassette loader uses a unique lock and capture design found only in the SLO-1800. This special grasping action prevents mis-loads and makes it very difficult for an operator to jam, short-load or misalign a cassette. Only after being advanced to a holding point does the loading to motor begin operate. Once accepted in this way the loading tray with the cassette travels inside. Sony placed a photosensor in the tape path to tell this VCR if there is tape to be recorded. If it doesn't break the LED beam threading is immediately halted and the cassette is ejected. Important feature when you are cycling through cassette after cassette during production. To make regular cleaning easier the top of the cabinet has an access cover to the tape path and video drum area. The video drum is also unique to the SLO-1800. Unlike conventional Betas where only the heads spin against the tape, this unit has its heads (2) mounted on a thick disk. This provides additional head protection and makes cleaning less risky. It also increases the inertial mass of the rotating components which makes the spinning more uniform. The SLO-1800 is the only example of this design in a SuperBetahi-fi VCR. To aid in servicing every circuit behavior is sectioned into application blocks. The circuit boards that incorporate these different disciplines are spaced apart and rotate out on plastic or metal hinges. This makes them easily accessible for troubleshooting and repair. As far as functionality there are numerous configurations possible for operating this Beta. Explained in the manual adjustments and refinements that can be made for intelligent recording, and playback (even though this is a mass duplicator it plays back a great picture). These options are provided to afford an operator a wide range of functional possibilities, to fit the most complicated and demanding duplication routine. Sony recommends that due to the large video disk in the SLO-1800 tapes no longer than L-530 be used. Links to more information is 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 5.6 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 with limiters
• Side Band Boost option higher quality standard picture
• BetaScan high-speed search in forward and reverse (optimized for )
• Single gap video heads for solid recordings and longer life
• Dual pancake reel motor with electronic back tension
• Sequence control provides numerous settings for scheduling actions
• Control switch for selecting front panel local keypad or remote operation
• Headphone jack jack with volume control monitoringthe audio privately
• Linear time hours, minutes and seconds counter with reset
• Front mounted access terminals for checking PG, RF, CTL and GD
• Four rear feet for setting the VCR on its upright on it back
• Warning lamp to indicate when input is missing or lost
• VU meters for monitoring the video, audio and tracking levels
• Tape detection sensor to prevent false recording
• Cassette staging loads whenever VCR is turned ON
• Hours meter for keep track of video head time used
• BNR noise reduction to reduce noise in the monaural sound track
• PCM switch for making better copies and playing PCM recordings
• Rugged construction with thick metal and rigid plastic design
• Open access subdivided components for easy servicing or replacement
• Modulator RFU-634 (optional) for monitoring broadcast channels 3 or 4
• Monitor out connectors for video RF out and switching pulse
• Wired remote controls plus wireless RMK-151 (both optional)
• RCC-5C and Control P connectors for adding various remote operations
• External sync available for controlling the video signal (switchable)
• Index functions: mark, search and erase recording and signaling system
• External index marking input to record index markers at desired locations
• Manual tracking control for fine-tuning the best picture
• Auto functions: modules 8, 9,17, 19 and 21 apply (additional functions can be programmed)
• Operation and safety features are standard
• Corrections and modifications: modules 4 and 10 apply
• Reproduction of the original operation manual
• Highlighted wording in this features list
• 711A chassis design group

There was a design change to the SLO-1800 early on in production. Before serial number 11,201 the units had dual linear audio heads. These recorded stereo in the normal audio track. This was in addition to the Betahi-fi stereo. Later the dual audio recording head was replaced with a single monaural head. The electronics also changed to record using the single head, in monaural. The Betahi-fI recording was not affected. What is linear audio and how is it different from the Betahi-fI stereo system? Click here to find out.

To examine at the line-up of accessories that are available to expand your Betas versatility visit the "Betamax Accessories" section by clicking 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.

PERFORMANCE DATA: The SLO-1800 can play and record SuperBetahi-fI in the speed. Also can be switched to record using Side Band Boost in standard Beta. Both SuperBeta and Betahi-fi can be turned off. The SLO-1800 can also play tapes recorded in standard Beta, Betahi-fI and SuperBetahi-fi in speeds and . This VCR was made prior to 1989 and should be unaffected by Copyguard encryption. To examine a Beta format compatibility chart click here.

To find out more about the RMK-151 remote adapter and the RF modulator open "Accessories" in the first page. For information on the head hours meter click here. Each SLO-1800 includes the improved and refined loading assembly, to examine why this is necessary and how it is done click here.







I refurbish all the Beta VCRs offered in 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. This page will be replaced by the repair form.

*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.