Sony PCM 501ES Digital Audio Processor Analysis and test

Today on the bench is a Sony PCM digital audio processor.
I purchased this at a not too cheap price from an ebay seller. It is cosmetically challenged but 1/4 the price of one in pristine condition.
We check the unit out, replace the power cable and see if it can play and record using a video recorder.
I used a Sony SL-HF100P Beta HiFi Betamax video recorder. Its a rather unique machine owned by the BBC research department who customised and converted to record/play PCM enoded video tapes. That part of the custom circuitry is broken but i can still use the VCR play and record ordinary tapes.

[@bobsbits5357]

hi i am super pleased you know what you are doing there's alot who don't know about the decks tips you are very right
i have worked on alot of betacam deck now very soon i have to pull apart 12 X 100ub they came from a ex hire place
my betacam decks came from kingswood A/V hire out side london
it was a big job working on them bob's bit's

[@zero0ryn]

A friend of mine had one of these. I remember it having very good quality audio. I used to have a video8 recorder which had a 6 track PCM mode. 8 bit though.

[@zero0ryn]

Check the emphasis setting, it might be why things sound muffled.

[@OsvalterMoller]

Nice explanation! congrats!!!
May I use any VCR in order to record digital PCM ? You said about modification in this Beta VCR but I didn't understand my english is bad. Thanks

[@ResurrectionRetro]

Yes any video recorder regardless of format should be capable of recording from a PCM unit.

[@bobsbits5357]

betacam sp tapes in a home betamax not a good thing the betamax will wear alot faster
i have betacam sp decks brother used my betacam sp tapes in his home decks and i can tell
they wear the head on the home deck
betacam you can use in the home deck just not the harder tapes i know alot get make of tapes mixed up all the time

[@ResurrectionRetro]

Hi there, Yes im aware to the issues of running betacam tapes long term. Out of my 4000+ tape collection only about 80 are betacam tapes. It would be a problem if i time-shifted programmes daily with them. betacam tapes tend to wear the head tip and the upper drums if used all the time. These days i may only play a betacam tape in a betamax a few times a year as i have so many other tapes! Thanks for the message!