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Slightly OT:Betamax tape surgery question...

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I have aqquired a very old Beta cassette with a homemade Star Wars label on it. I should have a Betamax deck to try it out later this week, but something has broken off inside the cassette and would foul the takeup reel if I don't crack it open and remove it. It's been years since I've done tape surgery, and never on a Beta before. Should I be able to take the reels and physically put them in a different Beta shell if the need arises? I once actually had to wind a U-matic tape completely onto new reels because the old reels from a damaged cassette would not turn freely in a shell of more modern manufacture.
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Where were you in '77?

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I don't see why not. I've done the same sort of thing on VHS tapes numerous times. If you don't try, you'll never see it anyways.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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In the "Little things designed to drive you slowly mad dept." I saw brand new Beta tapes at a Radio Shack in January. Now nobody seems to have them in stock. And I saw a bag full of odd Betas (including one still factory sealed) at a thrift store a week before I got this mystery tape.
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If you've done this on VHS, the inside Betamax isn't that different. There shouldn't be any problem transferring the tape to another shell. In fact, the piece you say is broken inside may not be. It may just need to be put back in its place.
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I'd swear I saw Betamax tapes at Frys Electronics the last two times I was there. You might want to call a local one and ask (and if so, grab several for a rainy day.)

[EDIT]

Found it!

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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Thanks for the info, you guys. If all else fails, I know where the Fry's in Burbank is located...
There was no way in heck was I going to sacrifice my official Beta copy of Star Wars just to satisfy my curiousity!
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Originally posted by: RowMan
If you've done this on VHS, the inside Betamax isn't that different. There shouldn't be any problem transferring the tape to another shell. In fact, the piece you say is broken inside may not be. It may just need to be put back in its place.



Turns out you were right! I was able to stick the little plastic tape guide thingy right back where it came from. The glue was still nice and tacky, so it's odd it ever fell off to begin with. Alas, my well came up dry. The video turned out to be nothing more than a bad bootleg of the CBS/Fox video. (With a "please rewind" sticker on it!) At least I have a working Beta deck now.
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I don't know if this is of any use but i still have my PAL CBS/Fox Betamax original copies of the original trilogy. Is there anything on them I should get excited about?
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Not unless they have the mono mix or deleted scenes.
I'm just pouncing on any old beta tapes that might have something rare on them. And a tape with a homemade Star Wars label on it was hard to pass up!
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Okay, I can't find my widescreen Star Wars betamax bootleg (sans "Episode IV") anymore, but I do have a FS (non P&S) ESB from the same period (1980-ish). Anything on there? I don't think there was really any differences, but hought I'd ask.

I really need to try and find that SW boot, but I think I loaned it out about 15 years ago and never got it back Wonder if that guy's still around?
Dr.Gonzo
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I don't see the harm in trying to find him (though he may come to some harm when you do - how dare he keep such a precious tape! )

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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i need to know something:

if i got a videotape from the early 80s of the star wars trilogy, would there be a chance if they still worked.
"A Jedi can feel the force flow through him".
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Assuming it's in good physical shape, and hasn't been played a million times, yes.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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I have tapes from that time period and most play very well. There were a few that died, but they had been recorded on no-brand, cheapie tapes.
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Thanks guys.
"A Jedi can feel the force flow through him".
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The irony is older tapes are probably better made than anything from the mid 90's onward. When was the last time you saw a VHS tape with metal parts inside? I shudder at the thought of having to repair a modern tape that has heat welds instead of screws holding it together!
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Where were you in '77?