Greetings,

I need some suggestions as to how to extract the audio portion from a Sony betamax video tape.

I recorded a concert on my Sony betamax and would like to extract the audio to my pc so I can burn a music cd. When I took the audio out of my Sony Betamax to the line in of the pc, all I got was a steady hum; the same when I took the audio out from the tv.

What steps do I need to take to accomplish my goal of extracting the audio portion
of the betamax video tape, copy it to my pc (via line in on my computer), and burn a music cd using the newly recorded wav file.

Thanks for your help and expertise.
Dave

Well, I can think of two things that may have gone wrong.

1. You are recording from the wrong input. Most soundcards can be set up to record from one source. It can be mic, line-in, aux, what-u-hear etc. Make sure that you have setup your soundcard to record from the correct source.

2. The output of your TV and Betamax is broke. Or it could be the cable. Try connecting it to your stereo system to make sure that's not the problem.

In addition to making sure the mixer-record settings are right...

Hum is a frequent problem when connecting AV systems to various other boxes.
THE MOST COMMON cause is hum coming in on the "ground" or a common mode signal on the cable TV line. This can be fixed with a device such as an isolation transformer that breaks the DC path. The easiest/cheapest solution while you are recording is to just disconnect the cable.

Thanks all who responded to my plea.

The connections were checked and re-checked as that was my first thought. I have successfully been able to rip my LPs to wav via the line in, so I know to check the line-in connection.

The TV output does work, as I do hear a faint sound from my pc speakers when I have the TV out going to my line in (even though it is coming out of only one speaker). The hum is definitely distorting everything...I just don't know what to ground (with my turntable, I grounded it with the turntable ground wire). BTW, the TV is not hooked up to cable. The tape plays fine when it is hooked up to the TV (both audio and video).

The problem is, I just don't want to disconnect my stereo amplifier from upstairs and bring it downstairs...too much effort and a pain in the rear.

Do I need any type of pre-amp (like I use when I rip my LPs) when I am trying to copy the audio from the betamax? If I transfer my beta to vcr, will I have the same trouble? In other words, do I need special/additional equipment to rip the audio from vcr/betamax?

Thanks again for you time and expertise.
Dave

The betamax should output at "line level" and need no extra pre-amp to go to your computer.

Just to check... is it a beta-hifi? (stereo audio out) You don't want to accidently plug the video out into one of the audio ins for your computer. Stranger things happen when you are reaching around behind something to make a connection.

DonP,

Thanks for your reply.

No, my betamax is not a beta-hifi, so I don't have the stereo audio out...I have one output for audio and one for video.

Thanks again for your input.
Dave