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Sony SL-F11 Betamax brochure (1982)

Sales brochure for the Sony SL-F11 "Profeel" slimline Betamax. Also available on the Internet Archive here or as a PDF. Click photos for full size

The front cover shows the SL-F11 with a tape inserted and mentions that it only measures 80mm tall and 430mm wide, as well as the price - 278,000 yen!

A nice spread showing the Betamax hooked up to a Sony TV that talks about a few of the machine's features like its size and steady picture search. I have one of these VCRs (with the remote) and it really does feel nice, with a metal chassis and nice features for the early 1980s like front-loading, a computerized tuner/timer, and linear stereo.

Another page pointing out the size of the recorder, only as tall as a pack of cigarettes, and it fits in with some Sony audio components. The RMT-F11 remote was an extra 6000 yen!

This page splits down some of the components of the SL-F11. Under the High-quality image with refined clarity and Betamax quality is the Large Diameter Hi-D Drum (1), Double Azimuth Head (2), Video recording/playback hybrid IC (7), Feedback-type color comb filter (9), and RF modulator using new IC (6). Under Superior sound quality with high-end audio technology is the Sendust audio head (5), Split carrier system (13), Audio multiplex decoder (12), and Beta Noise Reduction (BNR) (16). Under Compact, multi-functional, highly reliable high technology is the New U-loading mechanism (3), Electronic tension regulator (12), 6 motor system (4, 8, 18, 19, 20, 21), 6 microcomputer system (3), Digital servo LSI (10), Double-injection chassis (24), Computer tuning (11), Pulse lock power supply (25), Newly developed hybrid ICs (15), Ultra-thin front-loading mechanism (17), and Infrared remote control (14) (wireless remote control sold seperately).

These pages focus closer on a few of the Beta's features, including the 11 different speeds (counting double speed, regular, 1/5th speed, 1/10th speed, and frame by frame in both directions as different speeds plus pause), some of the accessories available for stereocasts, remotes, and how the multi-program tuner-timer can record different programs on different channels and days.

The left page shows more features, including the indexing system, auto rewind (including an option to start playing as soon as rewinding is done), the tape remaining counter LEDs, and the display and its modes. The right page shows accessories including cameras that could be directly connected to the rear of the deck, Sony monitors and tapes, the PCM-F1, and other Sony accessories.

The rear cover gives some of the hard specs of the deck. The audio frequency response for the linear stereo is stated as 50Hz to 10kHz at Beta II or 50Hz to 7kHz at Beta III speed, with 43dB signal-noise ratio with Beta Noise Reduction switched on.