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How to archive Betacam SP tapes?

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I just purchased some EPK's from films that I like but all is on Betacam SP. Any idea how to transfer those? Will a regular Betamax machine play them?

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No, although the tapes look similar Betacam SP and Betamax are completely different formats.

I would look into getting a Betacam SP tape deck off eBay, and a capture card that can capture an analogue component input.

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Moth3r said:


No, although the tapes look similar Betacam SP and Betamax are completely different formats.

I would look into getting a Betacam SP tape deck off eBay, and a capture card that can capture an analogue component input.


I'm not worried about the capture card. I capture everything through my hauppauge at this point since I really don't burn DVD's any more.

I'm more concerned about the outputs. Most of the ones I've seen on ebay have XLR outputs for audio and I never saw Component Video outputs...but I could be wrong.

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Yes the deck will probably use professional connectors - XLR for audio and BNC for component video. You'll have to use adapters, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Can the Hauppauge take a component input? If not, s-video would be a second choice.

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Moth3r said:


Yes the deck will probably use professional connectors - XLR for audio and BNC for component video. You'll have to use adapters, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Can the Hauppauge take a component input? If not, s-video would be a second choice.


Yup. It captures HD so you have to be able to accept component.

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A simple BNC to RCA cable will work from a Betacam Deck to your capture card.

Capture via component for best results.

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poita said:


A simple BNC to RCA cable will work from a Betacam Deck to your capture card.

Capture via component for best results.


At this point, I don't know what to do. I don't know if it's worth buying a deck and capturing myself...or bringing it somewhere to have it transferred.

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BetaCAM SP decks are still expensive, and many are junk as they have been thrashed to death.

You would be better off taking it somewhere to have transferred I would think, if you know anyone at a small television station you could probably get it done on the side for a case of beer or similar.

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I know no one at a TV station, unfortunately. I just bought 5 or 6 tapes and that would be a long time to record.

I looked into having it transferred and it's $50 a tape which I'm NOT spending. :(

I'm still looking into Ebay options. Looks like I'll be spending $300-400 on it. I'm fine with that because I still have the hope that I'll find others, which will also be on Betacam-SP. But I'll also have this hunk of machine sitting in my living room....along with my laserdisc player :)

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Just be careful, many Betacam SP players heads are pretty much destroyed from use. Get any seller to send you a quick video of a tape playing in their unit before you pay.

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Got this up and running last night! SCORE! So excited to be archiving something else!

Now the question is where to find more of these. Any ideas? :( Other than Ebay, I'm at a loss.

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Which player did you end up getting?

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There are collector forums.

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So I'm bringing up this thread again because I got some more Betacam SP tapes but they're smaller and they only have a "window" on the lefthand side. They're all original interviews for Attack of the Clones. Anyone know the differences between types of Betacam SP tapes?

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drngr said:


Wikipedia claims that all decks should be able to play the small tapes. Also see the photo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betacam


Hmm...I haven't tried it but that doesn't make much sense.

Most of the ones I have are the Betacam SP L but the Clones ones I got were Betacam SP S.