NOTICE ABOUT THE BETA CASSETTE

Only cassettes that have this symbol or mark can be used in a Beta VCR. There were other video cassettes that look like Beta but are recorded in different formats. They will go into this machine, but they will not play a recognizable picture. Cassette harmony is covered in this discussion. When Betamax first hit the scene there was only one cassette and it was for Betamax. But in later years that changed. The shell design was so good that it was used for a number of professional tape formats. These are NOT compatible with the Beta recording format. These cassette will go into the machine but their recordings WILL NOT play correctly. Because these other systems use the same cassette shell this can cause some confusion today. I want to clear away the mystery, so here is the lowdown on the various formats, other than Betamax, and why they will not work. The correct Beta format cassette is shown in the photo above. These might use different color combinations, window placements and variations in branding, but if they have that "B" symbol or mark on the lid in the upper right corner they are good to go. This indicates that it is for use only in Beta VCRs. (Note: some shell manufacturers omitted the symbol but were still identified in some manner as their application for Beta.) Below the picture are illustrated a number of other interesting logos that have also appeared on this formidable cassette shell. They are for a different but similar formats. These recorded and played using a totally different system from Beta. These will go into your Beta VCR and you can trick them into recording. by putting tape over their record protection holes. BUT if they were recorded in their intended formats they WILL NOT produce a viewable picture when played. Going left to right the first one is the symbol to look for, this is for Beta (aka Betamax). Any cassette labeled with this logo will record and play in any Beta machine without any complaint from the VCR. Next to it is the ED Beta (Extended Definition Beta) logo. Tapes recorded in this format will not produce a recognizable picture in standard or Super.Beta machine. It will have too much gain and will be distorted. They will play and record in ED Beta machine without issue. The ED Beta machines, by the way, will also play standard and SuperBeta recordings. They are fully backward compatible. Next to it is the Betacam logo. Tapes recorded in Betacam* WILL NOT produce a clear picture when played in Beta VCRs. It will be scrambled and the sound will be distorted. The rest of the formats shown also WILL NOT produce a clear picture in any Betamax or Beta format machine (if they were recorded in their native format). These other systems only use the same cassette shell but the recording method is totally different. The big red X that I placed over these logos indicates that it cannot be used successfully. Only cassettes made for Beta recorders should be used in this VCR. *Note: Betacam (not BetacamSP or the others) cassettes are loaded with a common oxide formula tape (only the recording method is different for this format, the tape is not). These can be used for recording and playback in regular Beta format VCRs. You will need to put tape over the protection hole to do this. Results show they record just as good as regular cassettes. You can also fool your machine into using the other cassettes (the ones with the big red X though them) if you want to try them. They are good but the downside is they are use a special high-density recording media and they are pricy. Regular Beta machines simply can't take advantage of their denser metal tape formula. The luminance signal of regular Beta just doesn't go high enough to benefit. One other thing. You can use these premium cassettes (the ones with the big red X though them) in the ED Beta units. BetacamSP, Digital Betacam, etc. will be recognized by the ED machine and the results are great. Confused yet? If you want to really delve into video tape and the different video formats check this out. In 2004 the state of Texas commissioned a Videotape Identification and Assessment guide. To examine it click here then run the pdf that opens. The actual address should the link not connect properly is: https://www.arts.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/video.pdf