SL-F1
Sony 1983
Betamax SL-F1



beta vcr logo
711P SYSTEM

Technical

Rear view of an SL-F1E
Camera and MIC connectors


Rear view of an SL-F1E
Rear view of an SL-F1E


Upper Drum without brass
Upper drum (without brass)


SL-F1 inside view
Inside view

Camera Socket

The 14 Pin Camera socket found on the side of the unit is known as a Sony K-connector. Details of the pin connections are available online. A MIC connector is also available.

Multi-Connector

The 8-pin Din Connector is known as a Sony Multi-connector and carries a combined Audio, Video and Remote control ( later known as CTRL-S ) signals. Details of the pin connections are available online.

Fault and repair guide

Getting inside

Top Cover

  1. Remove the top by unscrewing the two screws on the cassette window.
  2. Now remove the two screws at the rear. The top case can now be slid off carefully, backwards and up.

Bottom cover

  1. Turn the unit upside down
  2. Remove the four black screws to remove the bottom cover.

Access to the drive motors

  1. From the underside, find four screws holding the drive in place (they are indicated with arrows on the circuit board)
  2. From the top, fold out the left hand side circuit board by unlocking the two clips.
  3. Locate and remove two (horizontal) earthing screws holding the drive board in place.
  4. Fold out the whole of the front panel, this is held in place with two plastic clips on either side.
  5. Locate the wire connector back left connected at the bottom to the side board and unplug it.
  6. The whole of the drive can now be folded up.
  7. Unscrew 5 screws holding the drive motors in place.
  8. The drive motors can now be accessed.

Tuning problems

There are sometimes problems with the SL-F1 tuner failing to lock on to a TV channel. The first thing to try is to switch off the AFT. This is to cater for the case whereby it is not locking onto a signal due to a NICAM sound carrier throwing it off.

Failing that, it sounds like a fault, the problem is possibly that a fuse has gone. These though are very small circuit board (silicon) fuses. They are small components labeled f-1, f-2. If you have a meter and can find them it is possible to test to see if they have blown. This is quiet common on the F1. The first fuses to test are the ones nearest to the metal can (i.e. the DC to DC convertor).

Irregular tape transport during rewind/review.

This is cause by the tape which sticks to the upper drum when it is worn. It can be fixed by replacing the upper drum. Sony now supply an improved type which is made of a harder wearing alloy.

The photo below shows the new upper drum which no longer has a mounting plate.

Grating noise during tape threading/unthreading.

This is caused by a split threading gear. Sony now supply an improved type which does not contain the inside metal bush. In the original design this would expand and cause the plastic to crack. It is also advisable to replace the threading belt at the same time.

Machine appears dead.

The circuit protectors in the secondary power supplies are common to failing. Check the one near the centre of the bottom PCB first. If all fuses check out OK then suspect failure of one of the micro processors. These are surface mount components and are difficult to replace.

Tracking noise bar across picture.

With older machines it is not unknown for the capstan servo lock to drift slightly. This can result in what looks like a tracking noise bar permanently across the picture. The cure is to readjust the capstan bias.

hall effect sensors with glue
Hall effect sensor attached with glue

No head drum rotation / shuts down

You may find that the head drum fails to rotate or shuts down after only a few seconds. This is due to a problem with the Hall effect device on the head drum motor which is secured by a blob of glue. Full details on how to fix this can be found on the head motor page.
SL-F1 ribbon connector
SL-F1 ribbon connector

Erratic operation

Over time, this ribbon connector is prone to fracture causing erratic behavior of the VCR. Symptoms include random operation of machine functions or loss of audio. Also pressing a button can get no response or a strange response.

See also the ribbon connector parts page.


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