DESCRIPTION OF SONY SLIMLINE SL-2400

The SL-2400 is the Sony's premium basic Betamax in the attractive Slimline, low profile E-Z Beta series. Features BetaScan high speed picture search and BetaSkipScan, that lets you switch into BetaScan mode to see where you are on your tape during fast-forward and rewind. Freeze-frame to stop the action. Easy to use 3-day/1-event timer for automatic unattended recording. 14-pushbutton express tuning with wireless remote commander with all the essential functions of the VCR. Easy to use controls and simple design make this a Betamax a favorite. Links to more information is available from the listing of features below.

• Refurbished product that meets or exceeds factory specifications
• Standard Beta recording and playback in speeds and , plays
• Monaural audio recording and playback in speeds and , plays
• Multi-display with tape direction, counter, timer setting and clock
• Inputs and output for the audio/video LINE IN and OUT
• Feather touch transport function controls for operation ease
• BetaScan high-speed viewing in forward and reverse during playback
• BetaSkipscan high-speed viewing during fast forward and rewind
• Programmable timer with 3-day 1-event or every day setting
• Timer Indictor with programming, function and operation stages
• Power failure memory backup of 5 seconds for settings
• Push button express-tuning 14 preset for VHF, UHF channels
• UHF and VHF inputs for off-the-air antenna channels
• RF output selectable for VHF channel 3 or 4
• Single gap video heads for solid recordings and longer life
• Cassette inside indicator in the multi-display
• Freeze-frame in pause with tape control (optimized for )
• 4-digit analog tape counter with reset button
• BNR noise reduction to reduce hiss in the monaural sound track
• PCM switch for making better copies and playing PCM recordings
• Wireless remote (included) for important functions
• Auto functions: 1, 6, 8, 9, 19 and 21
• Corrections and upgrades: modules 1 and 2 apply
• Operation and protection features are standard
• Reproduction of the original owner's manual
• Highlighted wording in the features list
• 711B chassis design group

  To see a vintage magazine advertisement click here.
  To see a national sales distribution map click here.
  To see a popularity graph by model click here.

The first slimline Betas were very successful. Sony knew they had a winner after the first SL-2300s hit the shelves. But these units all had a primitive wired remote and it was only natural that the next models would break the chains of the dreaded cable. This new SL-2400 series duplicated the success of the SL-2300s in a big way. The case was now smoother but the popular centralized button array was retained. So was the easy clock and timer setting. The new infrared remote now gave the consumer full control over all the important functions without the unpleasantness of the cord. The popular colors were carried over for the most part with the addition of some new ones. Several new advanced models were also added to the line and showed consumers that Sony was still on top. Some of these sported a variation in the model number just to keep the confusion going. There was the SL-2400 and SL-2401 in three colors each, the SL-2405 in a carmel colored case, the SL-2406 in a new purple color. Three high end units featured the power of speech. These were two SL-2410s, one with a simulated leather case and one in silver and the SL-2415 that had a suede finish. The top contender in the series was the outstanding SL-2500 that did almost everything but wash your car. These last four models also accepted the amazing Betastack® cassette changer. Added to this line up were the Canadian and European variants. Some had different numbers (SL-2408C) and some didn't. So there was a lot going on. Only Sony knew what was what. So things were going great for Beta and the future was looking cheerful going forward, to the next string of advanced models. The double digit Betas.

Before the slimline Betas came along all the models were big. These were the 5000 series that can be seen here by clicking on the following links. (A separate panel will open.) SL-5400 SL-5600 SL-5800 and the wierd SL-8600. Then the numbers kind of started over again for some reason with the boxy SL-5000 series. Examples of this 5000 series of imposing VCRs were the SL-5010, SL-5020, SL-5100, SL-5101 and SL-5200 (the first Betahi-fi stereo Betamax). Sony new that to stay the gold standard they were going to have to make Beta more modern, more appealing and more advanced. Sony decided it was time for a new criterion and for this a completely reengineer tape compartment was invented. The old bulky 710 chassis was abandoned and a new smaller 711 chassis opened the way for a slimmer, lower, smoother shape. To perform this feat required the video drum to be made shorter and more compact. This was accomplished with the help of a new, flat brushless motor. This new motor type also allowed for a shorter capstan and reel motors. The audio, erase and control head (ACE) was also redesigned and made more compact. Everything was reduced in size including the tape path guides and rollers. The loading and threading operation of the tape was reconfigured. Now the tape was pulled out of the cassette and wrapped around the video drum by a sliding shoe called a shuttle. The #2 and #3 guides were mounted on a circular ring and stored away in pockets prior to threading. When the tape was loaded the ring rotated and they moved raising up when assuming their final locations. The pinch roller was mounted on a geared slide that locked into position at the completion of threading. All this was reversed when eject was requested. It nearly a was a complete overhaul. To look at the changes that took place in the tape path and the simplicity of new 711 chassis click here. Now all new Betas would be smaller, shorter and more compact. They didn't look as formidable and massive as before but were still strongly built like their predecessors. This was going to be the future of Beta and Sony went all out. All the new models would be slender. Barely taller than two cassettes stacked on top of each other. New slogans were adopted. These were going to be the slimline and E-Z Beta VCRs. New colors were introduced and new exterior case concepts forged. The Beta market soon became populated with a wide assortment based on a central theme. Video recording mania has started. And Sony, along with the other Betamakers that followed suit, sold a lot of machines. They were on a roll and if you wanted a Beta and you couldn't find something to match your particular color scheme or design preference it was mainly your fault. There were red, white and blue units. There was a tan, brown, gray, beige, silver, sand, gold, chocolate, pink, sepia, purple and black. Ones with stained wood patterns, a suede textured buff color, a mahogany stain and a carmel color pebbled finish. These were the good times and variety was king. The main thing that remained the same was the tape path (the wrap or envelope) around the video drum. It was still Beta and was fully compatible with recordings made earlier by vintage machines. To see the handbill* for the E-Z Beta system click here.
*Sony produced a mountain of support literature for their Beta format. More than all the other Betamakers combined.

Is this the Betamax you are looking for? To make selection easier I have put together a table that lists them by their pedigree. To see it click here.

To look at the line-up of accessories that are available, visit the "Betamax Accessories" section by clicking here.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: The SL-2400 can record the standard Beta picture in the and speeds and play standard Beta , and . Audio is monaural. Tapes recorded in Betahi-fi will play but not in stereo. SuperBeta tapes will play but might exhibit picture noise. This VCR was made prior to 1989 and should be unaffected by Copyguard encryption. To examine a Beta format compatibility chart click here. The SL-2400 MSRP was $600.00 in 1983, that's around $1550.00 in todays money.







I refurbish all the Beta VCRs offered in my Website. If you would like to examine how this is accomplished I have composed a special section that explains how it's done. To go to the "Beta Refurbishing" section click here. Read an important message about my refurbished VCRs by clicking here. Do you have one of these premium Betas that isn't working? It is eligible for repair along with a lot of others. To see the list of candidates click here. For service click on "Getting It Repaired" in the right button array or click here. This page will be replaced by the repair form.

*These rating numbers are comparisons between the Beta VCRS within this particular design group. Contributing factors are engineering quality, popularity, aesthetics, execution, repair frequency and the number of features and their benefits. Analysis is subjective and should not be considered an endorsement.