Sony SL-8080

FORMAT: Betamax

DATE: 1979

PRICE: £
[1994: £]

xxcm

 
previous exhibit next exhibit
previous room next room
this room main hall (home)
enquiry desk next in tour

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.

Another odd thing is a small internal 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; 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"...

The head drum assembly, with the loading ring clearly visible

 

previous room previous exhibit this room enquiry desk return to main hall next exhibit next room next in tour
go to
previous
room
go to
previous
exhibit
return to
current
room
go to
enquiry
desk
return to
main hall
(home)
go to
next
exhibit
go to
next
room
follow
tour