CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Just discovered that my Sony SL-HF870D betamax can be used for PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) digital audio recording. So reading through the manual I found that I need a Digital Audio processor specifically made by sony for this.

The model is a Sony PCM-701ES PCM Digital Audio Processor... I just thought I would ask around here to see if anyone might happen to have one of these stuffed away somewhere? theres a pic below to show what it looks like.

If you DO have one and would be interested in getting rid of it, let me know.

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Here is one in the UK.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-PCM-701ES-Digital-Audio-Processor-/261183637648?pt=UK_Recorders_Rewriters&hash=item3ccfc20890

Or you can get this instead. A much higher end unit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-PCM-10-Digital-Audio-Processor-VERY-VERY-RARE-/281067641762?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4170efdba2

They also made a 501 and 601.

Nashou

Athanasios

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Thanks for the link to that 2nd one nash, thats one hell of a PCM processor Neutral

I threw it in the watch list so I can see if it does anything, hopefully not, Smile

I wonder how beta would compare to DAT & R2R tape since I've never used any video tape for an audio only purpose. Seems like a neat task. I have enough tape here to record years of music too Neutral

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:03 am Post subject:

DID SOMEBODY SAY BETAMAX!?! Cool!

While you're at it record on the HiFi tracks too and do an A/B comparison.

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 3:48 pm Post subject:

HD may look better but did you know much of the HD was shot on Betamax Digital HDCAM SR? 440 Mbit/s mode SQ, and 880 Mbit/s HQ

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:09 pm Post subject:

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject:

Back in the day I pulled more than a few marbles and crayons out of VCRs... Smile

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:20 pm Post subject:

BTW there was more than one PCM processor:

http://www.richmondfilmservices.co.uk/equipment/digital-recorders/PDR043.html

The above one was used with their 1/2 size Beta machine that was designed originally for use with the large camera. I owned one of those back in 1983. Got 2 of those small decks in last year from the recycler, but both had massive issues, so I took them back..

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Mmm that PCM-10 that Nashou linked looks pretty tempting, and professional Very Happy

It was apparently relisted once already so hopefully it sticks around on ebay for a bit longer so I can make a decent offer to the guy. He doesnt know anything about it, or what it even is, or if it works, but he thinks its super rare since he couldn't find any information out on it, probably why he wants $400 Smile

I figure if I hold out for the better one I'll be that much happier with it in the end. Once I get it I could convert my entire FLAC collection to beta, that'll take a few months Razz

I don't blame you for taking those units back curt, tape mechanisms are pretty complex to most, even the more seasoned vets I've worked with. I've been fortunate that none of the tape based machines I've come across have had any major issues. In fact, I'm quite surprised at how well the tape mechanisms themselves in all these old units have held up against usage and the test of time. For something as mechanical as a Beta or anything similar, one would expect there to be a higher failure rate.

Fortunately for my SL-HF870D it seems to be impervious to time. The original owner loved the hell out of it though, the tape heads were HORRIBLE when I cleaned them yesterday. The PQ on "The Wizard of Oz" 50th Anniversary Beta improved so much it looked BETTER than SDTV Smile

Not bad for a 30 year old tape and 30 year old betamax Thumbs Up

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 5:38 pm Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 5:46 pm Post subject:

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

I'd have to say you are right that there may be little practical use for some of the older formats as you say SC, but I would disagree that newer tech is better for audio, and by far at that. People aren't paying thousands of dollars for old audio equipment no matter what category it is, because its fun. Albeit that may be part of the reasoning behind the purchase, but I am sure that when people spend serious cash on 30-40 year old audio gear are buying it more because of the sound reproduction.

Take the JBL paragon speaker. Its a very cool speaker indeed, just having it would be cool, yes. I doub't it sells for $25,000 - $50,000 just because it's cool; more for the fact that its sound reproduction properties are very saught after by many.

Video equipment yes, I will agree that the newer is getting better. Digital has made serious advancements in the last few years, and I am sure 10 years from now it will be acceptable for most, if not all hardcore critics.

The only reason I can see CRT being saught after in the far future is for vintage gaming systems. And even that may not be true. The world of electronics is a complex one, and value of an item, whether its monetary or sentimental, is really based on the person seeking the item, and the ones who have what is being saught after. Some people buy sony because they have it dead set in their head that it is the absolute best you can get, of which most know isn't the truth.

So like I said, I agree, but disagree respectfully. To each his own I say Smile

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:17 pm Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject:

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Foo Fighters last album was all done on Analog Tape in Dave's garage. Love that sound!!!!

Nashou

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:30 pm Post subject: