Now there are BVW and PVW Beta SP machines too. While these machines are real tanks, BVW machines can be pushing 25 years old, products of the late 80's. Again you have the same high cost of repair problems, or even if you can get parts for them at all.

Now the old timers can start to laugh because my 3/4 machine refuses to die. Its a vintage 80's machine with matching TBC. Outside of needing to lube the mechanics of the U tape loading ring, these things where built to last. Its too bad the tapes aren't nearly as durable. I'll also have to admit my 1" machine is also working ok. When you see those big 2 hour reels spinning at 50X fast forward its more than impressive and you'd best keep hands and hair clear.

If you think you are safe with DVCpro, think again. The original 650 series tape machines also have their problems. Specifically the capacitors in them all start to leak and fail. A very common repair on these machines is to pull all the circuit boards in them, and replace all the capacitors. Since Panasonic does make tape machines now that still play DVCpro as a legacy format, you've got more time with these tapes, but the clock is still ticking.

Even other DV based formats present their challenges because with different tape lubricants used in early tapes, its easy to have problems playing back those tapes. Even if the tapes do work, they often coat the tape transport with their lubricant type making play of another tape of a different brand a problem. Go clean the machine again ! While new DV tapes don't have this problem as much, what about those tapes you have from the late 90's that do ?