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| FORMAT: Betamax | |||||
DATE: 1979 PRICE: £? [2005: £?] 52x13x19cm 19.2kg | ||||||
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| This upgraded version of the SL-8000 was launched about a year later. Its styling seems to be a step backwards, since it has a wood-grain main case, (though this is actually made of plastic and metal), unlike the 8000's purely silver exterior. | |
| Otherwise, the machine is very similar to the 8000, and shares the same clock, tuner and timer assemblies. The key labelling on the FF and REW buttons suggests that CUE and REVIEW are available; this usually refers to picture search, but the 8080 is too early for this -- CUE and REVIEW can be pressed while playing, without STOPping first,but no picture is shown during the search, just a black screen. |  |
 | The loading ring (white) around the head drum assembly. The black rectangle at the back is the tape arm guide. One odd internal feature is a small component which seems to be an indicator showing how many hours the machine has been used for - presumably to aid the engineer when deciding whether new heads are required. |
| This is marked to show up to 2000 hours, which is the right sort of figure for head wear (at least it was in the 1970s). If I have understood it correctly it implies that this one has been used for just 175 hours. Of course, it could be 2175 if the indicator has "clocked"... | |
