SX vs SP

[<new kid>]

Can you take a Beta SX format tape play it in a SX deck and record onto a regular BEta tape or Beta SP tape (in an SP deck) Will it then play in any SP deck??

[shootist]

in a word...yes.

you can dub an sx tape to sp. that video is now an analog copy of your original digital acquisition. as such...it will play in any sp deck or in any sony hybrid (sx/sp) deck.

curveball that you did not ask about:

you can also record a digital sx signal onto an sp tape. it is then just that...a digital copy on an sp tape. this will NOT play on an sp deck.
it will however play on a hybrid machine...and at double the record speed. in other words you can record 40 minutes of sx signal onto a 20 minute sp tape.

this is not reversible...you cannot record an sp signal onto an sx tape.

confusing? hope not...
answer your question? hope so...

[<new kid>]

Thanks!
I interned at an SX shop and have to get it to SP

-This board is great!!

[Sportsguy]

A little known fact...

You can record on an SX tape in an SP machine.
Just put a little piece of tape over the hole on the bottom of the cassette opposite the record-protect tab.

http://www.pcteck.ch/tvf/images/betasxdos.jpg

See the little hole at the bottom of the small cassette?

I wouldn't use the tape again after you've done this, though. It's just nice to know if you're in a pinch.

[imported_blank]

Originally posted by Sportsguy:
You can record on an SX tape in an SP machine. ...I wouldn't use the tape again after you've done this, though. I'd be more worried about the SP heads then the SX tape, don't know how much hotter the bias is - it may be OK since SONY says you can do it the other way (SP tapes in SX machines) Do remember the SX machines may switch bias calibration the SP machines may not...

In any case sportsguy,
You can always send the one-run SX tape my way. You got my home addy. I'll make sure to put those robust beta tapes to good use here in Vancouver - home of the SX gods.... :D

[JumpCut]

Our head VTR tech has told me that in fact SX tape itself is identical to SP tape but of a lower quality, believe it or not.

Apparently SX tape is the same as the UVW series tape Sony bought out about ten years ago for the professional series "poor man's" SP gear.