I had a look. The Hitachi VK 122 Se is something I no longer have. During recording the image was more with grain and the tone was not well recorded. The image did flutter. I replaced it with a Philips VCR-V630 six-head video recorder. I think after looking at your videos I may have made a mistake and the Hitachi may just have required alignment and cleaning. No belts were bad. The Hitachi weighed a ton and the Philips did not.
nice deck, noisy capstan motors can usually be sorted by popping some oil on the top front bearing where the belts mount as that's the one that gets the most tension if they dry out then you get bearing slop, works for me, i do this every so often on my tape deck motors and never had a motor wear out yet, luckily i only have one VCR with a capstan motor a ferguson from the mid 80s but the motors always been reliable in it, much prefer direct drive capstans in VCRs.
Nice video mate! I really love these multi system machines from the 80s. They are the most rare and cool vcrs. These where sold in the middle east and eastern Europe. I don't know how it found its way to Canada!
I bought one of these new in 1985. I was trading bootleg VHS tapes and needed PAL playback capability. While it is a robust and heavy unit and played PAL [and other] tapes perfectly I never liked the way it recorded. The tapes always had a grainy look to them. When dubbing I always used this unit to playback and recorded with my warhorse: The JVC HR-7100.
My aiwa multi system vcr also shuts down like that, it really powers down completely and won't spit out the tape anymore. I suspect it could be more of a electrical failure than a mechanical problem.
My Hitachi Studio Edit VT-S730A turns on then shuts down right away. I don't even get to put a tape into it! I'd like some pointers on fixing what might be the problem as I don't want to junk the unit. Also, though I have the rubber replacement kit for the Zenith SVHS VRE550HF, I'm a bit leery of opening it up and never being able to put it back together again. I might have to see if the last repair shop in town can do it for me. I'd like to try it myself though I lack the experience. Down to my last working deck now, so it's bite the bullet and try or else take it expert help to try. The Betamax SL-HF750 cannot be repaired in town and will have to be sent away. The Panasonic AG-1980 won't load tapes but you say to just write that off. Okay, so where to pick up good refurbs in Canada? I have yet to find a quality deck at a yard or estate sale and definitely not at the Sally Ann or Value Village. Slim pickings in my neck of the woods...
Question: Years ago I disposed a Video Tape Recorder VT-135E from Hitachi. Not sure how many heads it has but it came with a Luxor Satellite TV. Maybe the wrong decision?
I have 17 years of experience repairing and restoring VCRs, and what's your opinion with Funai/Symphonic, Sanyo (not Fisher), and Toshiba VCRs made before 1990? I currently have these three brands rated more-reliable and dependable by me than Hitachi as of now, which you described and liked in your videos. 1984-1987 Funai VCRs had the same belt problems as Hitachi/RCA, but the electronic boards were more-reliable and simple. 1986-1989 Toshiba also used only one belt, which is loading, and the electronic boards were also better than Hitachi. I also like the 1986-1988 Sanyo (but not Fisher) as well. These three makes are currently rated ahead by me than Hitachi/RCA 6-belt for reliability, can't say why. Finally, I completely agree with you that the Panasonic S-VHSs were totally junk. Troublesome on the power supply, SMD caps on chroma board, timing gear, and etc. Yuck... The regular Panasonic VHS were much more-reliable, sometimes beating the Hitachi 6-belt (only if it has linear transformer instead in very few models). Toshiba also built the longest-lasting S-VHS VCRs, I think, after years of my careful evaluation (sorry, it's not Mitsubishi, JVC or, even Hitachi, again). Maybe you have more detailed story that I don't know. Anyways, thanks for your response, if any.
Smashing job :-D, Now thats a propper machine. Loverly access. Thats a machine i have never seen, i enjoyed repairing machines of that era, as you said "belts", ive done many jockey wheels because the ff/rew didnt work, so so common with machines of that era. Even the cheaper machines with the White Orion pcb were simple to fix, and didnt fail after a service, i do like that era :-D. Apart from the ferguson videostar, i found the panasonic NV-333 and similar machines to be very forgiving and allways gave a decent picture, i never had a pcb/electronics fail, it was allways the rubber parts that wore out. Later "Cheap shit" economy vcrs just killed my interest in them :-(
+zx8401ztv I hear you on the cheap shit. I have a bunch of old work horses that just won't die. They are paying off for conversions. I keep pretty busy. I go through about 100 dvd-r a month!
@@12voltvids then you should really check the loading mechanism…😂 I got a Bang Olufsen VHS66 and you have inspired me to try and get it running. Slowly Im getting there but i worked on it all day today and still having problems with the tape going in. Its sort of crocked going in. From what I understand Hitachi did the assembly for Bang Olufsen. So I looked at your video and it looks the same. Anyway. Love to watch your videos. Keep it up
Heya, I was really hoping you could point me the right direction. I got an RCA VKP-950 described as "just needs new belts." Tried a tape, and it sounded like something was grinding. Checked belts, they had liquified. So I went ahead and got new belts, pinch roller, and idler. Still makes that horrible noise. It looks like it has a similar if not same chassis as yours, but with all the motherboards sandwiched around it to make it "portable." Pain in the butt to disassemble. Right spindle doesn't turn reliably, even with the new idler and belt. Left spindle barely turns, and when it does, it's like teeth gnashing. I couldn't see any broken gears on the back, either. Is there maybe a tensioner or something for the idler? I saw the set screw, but that just bolted it to the motor shaft. Also can't find any service manuals that don't cost hundreds of dollars from a sketchy website. I was wondering if you'd seen this problem before: ua-cam.com/video/p0-bo35GMm4/v-deo.html Thanks.
+Prashant Kumar Banjare No, loose belt causes no loading. If one of the other ones were to break it wouldn't play, and if the big drive belt breaks, it will eat the tape.Slow rewind is probably the clutch is gummed up, or the drive idler is slipping.
sir one more query please...despite cleaning the encoder switch in my samsung dvd vcr combo the rewinding is no happening properly...........it works for a while then aborts similalry the forward too works very slowly...........here reapirer are saying its a loose belt...........and i am not getting the belt here...kindly offer some advice.......what could be the main reason for this slow action.
Have any other videos for this particular unit? I have a very similar unit (vt-35) and I'm having a nearly impossible time diagnosing the issue. I had it up and running for a few months with a new belt kit (not the proper belts) and I got my hands on a new set of the proper belts for it, and now it's video cuts out about every 3 seconds and sometimes just rejects the tape immediately after it starts playing. I've noticed if I put a little pressure on the capstan pinch roller it seems to work for about 20 seconds. Any tips? Your videos are fantastic.
I think I've only done the one on that old unit. I really don't use it much because I don't see very many pal tapes these days. I also have a Samsung multisystem converter doesn't much better job that I would be using. But then again it's been so long since I've had a pal tape to transfer it used to do tons and tons of tapes back in the '90s before DVD and the internet took over of people sending tapes their families back and forth but it all dried up real quick when high speed internet became available.
I completely understand. My VT-35 is one of my favorite units (aestheticly) I'd really love to get it back up and running. Any tips you may have based on my issue?
Your workshop make me want to clean mine. Problem is I don't know where to begin because mines as bad as yours. =) I do clean it up from time to time but its a disaster after a few repairs lol! Oh well... Very interesting VCR =)
BTW love the carpet on the workbench, I have the same. Only time I regret it is working on cellphones, those tiny screws get lost in it. Otherwise its great!
+Jay Walt That's the problem. Every time I clean my bench up, it gets cluttered with the next repair. Every time I dump the garbage bin my son thinks that it is his personal garbage bin to throw his big gulp cups in. If it is full, he moves on and puts them in the main can.That VCR is a rare beast, as it has multiple color circuits in it to process the different color standards. I have a multi standard TV as well, that will display NTSC 3.58, NTSC 4.43, PAL and SECAM video formats. I needed that in the days where I was converting to those standards when people used to send tapes in the mail.It is a small 14" monitor that cost me close to a grand when I bought it.But back in the mid 80's and up to about 2000, tape converting was a booming business. It still is, now that VCRs and cameras are all packing it in, and people are left with tapes they can't play.This this past week I did 48 tapes for a client, and just tonight I had 4 to do. One needed this very machine as it was from Australia, and the other 3 were digital 8.
+12voltvids Ah yes I converted all of our home videos and my girlfriends from VHS to digital (authored them to DVD for distro to family). I'd like to find a super8 reel to reel that has a good bulb (seems all the ones at garage sales need bulbs =( ) and a convertor apparatus (the things where u shine the projector into it and your camcorder is aligned with another hole) . I could record from a conventional setup but I've heard the convertors give better results. I've tried offering VHS to DVD conversion but people around here want it done for practically nothing.
+Jay Walt I do it as a business an I have lots of work. I use professional gear. Stand alone dvd recorders give great results. It is all having the right equipment, an offering a good service at a good price. I don't give discounts for quantity. It is a flat fee for vhs, 8 mm including hi8 and d8, and DV. I don't author, I don't edit and I don't watch the videos. I time them and set the machine up make sure there is a picture an let it rip. To do film yes a projector and telecine box will work if you have the right camera. Needs to be a ccd with variable shutter that can be slowed down to match the gate speed of the projector. Cmos cameras with their rolling shutter no good. Scanners are great but processing 1 frame a second means 18 seconds to do 1 second of film. Unless you have a client with a big budget nobody can afford to do this. 1 of those 50 foot reels of film that runs 3 minutes takes a whopping 55 minutes just to scan in as a series of. Jpg and then you have to render. Nobody in their right mind would pay 50 to transfer a 3 minute film, but they will pay 5.00 for an acceptable transfer. If you look at my video of the George Massey tunnel construction, that was a film I transfered many years ago using a light box and a sony ccdvx3 hi 8 3ccd camera. Looks very good. It is easy to mod projectors to use a small 75 watt halogen bulb and that is more than bright enough to use with a camera. I also have a goko film player but I never use it because the quality is not that much better than the telecine but the setup and alignment to get it working is too long for the slight improvements. I don't do a lot of film these days. Most of the people that used it have either already transfered it or they ar dead and the kids didn't care.
I have no issues with kodachrome using my 3ccd setup. Use a 75 watt 12 volt halogen. With ir cut filter. No projection done. Projector lens assy has a ground glass diffuser. Telecine camera attached directly to projector. Get excellent results in real time. Straight to DVD. I can do HD, but usually not much better considering the quality of most old home movies.
Hi, I have just acquired one of these VCR's, makes a loud wurr noise when trying to play/rwd/fwd any idea, have been told belt. Great Vid, hope my issue is only a belt, the bulletproof comments you made give me some hope
@@12voltvids Thanks for the reply, just had the cover off, doesn't feed the tape the cassette goes in fine the silver part (novice lol) spins but it doesn't feed the tape
@@12voltvids Thanks, I see that in the video, the belt next to the tyre you pointed at early in the vid (black tyre on my unit) the belt next to that is seems very loose, which belts would I need to buy to replace them all?
@@MarkLee-ih6hn there are 5 belts that should be replaced on it. Capstan, reel drive, play, and 2 loading belts. I don't know the sizes off hand as i used to order them from RCA as a belt kit but the last one i changed was probably 25 years ago. You will need to measure. 3 of the belts will be sbm-xxx one will be an sbs-xxx and the capstan an fbm-xxx where xxx is the size in inches.
Possible Mech position switch that is what my Tele,video, sat servicing book says if you are wondering who it is by Eugine Trundle, do you have another machine you might strip for parts or maybe replace the IC on the capstan motor.
+DAVID GREGORY KERR Its not the ic that makes it noisy. It is the bearing that is wearing out. The encoder switch goes by many names.Linear encoder, Mechanism position switch, mode switch.The other style that turns is called a rotary encoder. They are all the same thing. They tell the micro the mechanical position of the mechanism.
I have a same type of VCR. Now it is working after its restoration but it would be neccesary to fine adjust a couple of things in it. Because of the previous owner... Can you help me with a service manual? If you have it? Please...
Hi, I sent you an email about a week ago- I have a VT39EM that I acquired not too long ago, and have done extensive work to. The email was a bit long-winded but basically, the machine will not advance in play when using SECAM tapes recorded on an actual VT39EM which I owned in Europe in the 80's. The capstan motor refuses to turn at all with SECAM tapes. If I press pause or FF while in play the picture is visible. With NTSC tapes it plays just fine as long as the NTSC switch is set on the front of the panel. If the switch is set to "colour" mode (panasonic's way of meaning auto) the same thing happens. In this mode the only way to coax the machine to play, is to FF while in play. Once the NTSC indicator illuminates the capstan motor will advance and tape will play. I would be grateful on any insight you may have, or can discuss the possibility of sending the machine to you for diagnosis and repair, as my capabilities are limited without an oscilloscope, to trace the signals. Thanks in advance.
Having seen just about ALL of your VCR repair videos, and hearing you describe how you have done many video standards conversion services, along with your 30 plus years of experience in this field, you hardly strike me as a person who would NOT know, or understand the SECAM video standard. In addition I've basically offered myself up as a customer who is in need of a repair of a specific VCR that you seem to know so well. If it helps I could make a video of the VCR and the issue, and email it to you if you'd like. Otherwise I am quite puzzled by the short response.
I know NOTHING about the SECAM standard, and little about PAL. In North America we use the NTSC standard, and that is where my training and experience is. PAL is similar in some respects, but is different enough that I would not feel comfortable with working on PAL equipment. SECAM is a totally different system, and of SECAM there are 2 flavours that are not compatable. There is the French system which is totally on their own and then the SECAM used by the rest of the european coountries, referred to in the VCR world as MESECAM. Mechanism wise VHS is identical, however circuitry wise there are completely different, with different signal paths and signal processing. I have no specialized test equipment for working with SECAM equipment. I do still have a multi system TV that will display SECAM and PAL and will probably show it off some day with a little cheap PAL/NTSC converter recorder I was given. I know the NTSC version of the Hitachi VCR well, the multi system I know very little about because I never had to repair them. The one I have was given to me, and the only work I have done on it was belt replacement. I am quite picky on what pieces of equipment I work on these days because I did make the choice to exit the service business as a career in 2003 and train for a totally different field. I tend to stick more to audio, and vintage equipment, and domestic VCRs from the late 80's through the 90's. Again I am quite picky with VCRs as I know the ones that can be easily fixed and the ones that had many faults like those horrible Mitsubishi decks that fell apart. VCRs are tough these days as there are very few parts still available. Even getting the belts has become a challenge. I do maintain my own machines, but I have more non working machines, or machines that I started to repair, and decided they were not worth the effort and abandoned. Those videos never saw the light of day. I for example have an old Panasonic AGW1 that would be a nice machine to fix, but I have NO clue what is wrong with it, no service manual, and even if I did, the chances of finding parts these days are slim to none. The Samsung multi system I did for a client was an exception, but I had an identical donor machine to pick parts off to fix that one. Again that one was a mechanical fault. I also have an Aiwa multi system that I have spent hours on, and put it away as I wasn't getting anywhere with that one. I have an idea what is wrong with it, tape sensor LED and end sensors but I have been trying to find the parts for 2 years and no luck.
Ok, understood. Thank you for the detailed explanation. As of this writing I just fired up the VT39EM, and discovered that I can no longer get it to play anything. I'm suspecting a loading belt as the secondary one it has is quite old. Last week I soaked it in dish soap, and later cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol and it regained some of its grip enough to work up to now. I did not have time to open the bottom of the VCR tonight to see if it is slipping again. I've ordered a belt kit to replace all six belts in the unit. The only ones in the unit at the moment that are half decent, are the main drive belt, the capstan belt the transport belt beneath the clutch wheels with the cut washers, and the primary loading belt. The belt on the top of the machine on the take up reel and pulley beside has a tiny rubber band for the time being until the kit arrives. This drives a pulley for some type of motion sensor. The idle tire is in really good condition with ample tension, but I've ordered one as the original does have some minor cracking. Once the belt kit is in, I will also deoxit the mode switch- I've already cleaned it with deoxit once, but I did not take the switch apart as you did in the RCA VPT 295 which is similar to the VT39EM. All in all, i don't believe the issue is specifically related to any video standard. I think the VCR in general will not easily track even an NTSC signal unless I FF while it is in play. If i do that, it gives the VCR a chance to detect the NTSC signal, and then it plays just fine. Speaking of AGW1 that you mentioned, I found one of those as well-comes with remote, original box and owners manual. Given the history of that model, I kind of regret it, but we will see how it fares. I've also found a Hitachi VT498EM in mint condition. Now back to the VT39EM: I am located in Calgary AB, and from watching your videos, I would guess you are in Vancouver BC. If all else fails, could I send you the machine? Take a crack at it, I will pay you an initial diagnostic fee, plus shipping both ways, and then you would have nothing to lose whether you manage to find the issue/s or not. I'm willing to bet that once you throw it on the oscilloscope, you will work your magic. The reasons I'm willing to go these lengths: 1) After watching your videos, I don't trust any of the so-called techs here in Calgary to even touch it. If there is one here, I have not found him/her yet.. 2) I don't trust, nor do I have any assurances that someone here tasked with a repair attempt, won't scavenge it for parts, and basically tell me that the machine is not worth anything, just so he can keep it for parts, or for himself, or even return it to me in worse shape than it was before. Watching you at work through your videos, you have gained my trust and rapport-even though I've never met you. 3) This model VCR is basically my mid-teen prized possession back in the day-call it sentimental nostalgia. I've been searching for this machine for years. Let me know either way, if you are at all interested. Thanks. :)
great work...and nice vcr,I like multi system vcrs,I have Panasonic nv-w1 such as ag-w1,his nick name"monster"and another multi system vcr sony slv-x95thak you for your video :)
do you still need a capstain motor for this machine I have 3 of the same model all work but one has bad heads so it being used for parts I live in the uk
@@12voltvids would you like the whole deck or just the motor the caseing I am keeping but you can have the mech it works but the heads are very bad chiped
@@12voltvids ok buddy I will remove it from the machine and do a torgue test on it I know it is very strong very quiet a trick I have tried on old vcrs that have tired motors is spray I very tiny amount of wd40 it does wonders I will let you know when I have it out
That happened on my JVC HR-7700. The DC-DC converter died and I have no display. I have no ideal where to find these parts for a 1980 machine in 2016...
@12voltvids, I used to have this vcr. Beautiful machine
watching all your videos again and again
I'd love to see you do a top 5 of old tech for each category.
I had a look. The Hitachi VK 122 Se is something I no longer have. During recording the image was more with grain and the tone was not well recorded. The image did flutter. I replaced it with a Philips VCR-V630 six-head video recorder. I think after looking at your videos I may have made a mistake and the Hitachi may just have required alignment and cleaning. No belts were bad.
The Hitachi weighed a ton and the Philips did not.
nice deck, noisy capstan motors can usually be sorted by popping some oil on the top front bearing where the belts mount as that's the one that gets the most tension if they dry out then you get bearing slop, works for me, i do this every so often on my tape deck motors and never had a motor wear out yet, luckily i only have one VCR with a capstan motor a ferguson from the mid 80s but the motors always been reliable in it, much prefer direct drive capstans in VCRs.
Nice video mate! I really love these multi system machines from the 80s. They are the most rare and cool vcrs. These where sold in the middle east and eastern Europe. I don't know how it found its way to Canada!
Fivos Sakellis I'm an Canada and found one! It's a different model though
Grey market same as in the US. I bought mine in Times Square, NYC
I bought one of these new in 1985. I was trading bootleg VHS tapes and needed PAL playback capability. While it is a robust and heavy unit and played PAL [and other] tapes perfectly I never liked the way it recorded. The tapes always had a grainy look to them. When dubbing I always used this unit to playback and recorded with my warhorse: The JVC HR-7100.
My aiwa multi system vcr also shuts down like that, it really powers down completely and won't spit out the tape anymore. I suspect it could be more of a electrical failure than a mechanical problem.
My Hitachi Studio Edit VT-S730A turns on then shuts down right away. I don't even get to put a tape into it! I'd like some pointers on fixing what might be the problem as I don't want to junk the unit. Also, though I have the rubber replacement kit for the Zenith SVHS VRE550HF, I'm a bit leery of opening it up and never being able to put it back together again. I might have to see if the last repair shop in town can do it for me. I'd like to try it myself though I lack the experience. Down to my last working deck now, so it's bite the bullet and try or else take it expert help to try. The Betamax SL-HF750 cannot be repaired in town and will have to be sent away. The Panasonic AG-1980 won't load tapes but you say to just write that off. Okay, so where to pick up good refurbs in Canada? I have yet to find a quality deck at a yard or estate sale and definitely not at the Sally Ann or Value Village. Slim pickings in my neck of the woods...
Question: Years ago I disposed a Video Tape Recorder VT-135E from Hitachi. Not sure how many heads it has but it came with a Luxor Satellite TV. Maybe the wrong decision?
I have 17 years of experience repairing and restoring VCRs, and what's your opinion with Funai/Symphonic, Sanyo (not Fisher), and Toshiba VCRs made before 1990? I currently have these three brands rated more-reliable and dependable by me than Hitachi as of now, which you described and liked in your videos. 1984-1987 Funai VCRs had the same belt problems as Hitachi/RCA, but the electronic boards were more-reliable and simple. 1986-1989 Toshiba also used only one belt, which is loading, and the electronic boards were also better than Hitachi. I also like the 1986-1988 Sanyo (but not Fisher) as well. These three makes are currently rated ahead by me than Hitachi/RCA 6-belt for reliability, can't say why.
Finally, I completely agree with you that the Panasonic S-VHSs were totally junk. Troublesome on the power supply, SMD caps on chroma board, timing gear, and etc. Yuck... The regular Panasonic VHS were much more-reliable, sometimes beating the Hitachi 6-belt (only if it has linear transformer instead in very few models).
Toshiba also built the longest-lasting S-VHS VCRs, I think, after years of my careful evaluation (sorry, it's not Mitsubishi, JVC or, even Hitachi, again).
Maybe you have more detailed story that I don't know. Anyways, thanks for your response, if any.
Smashing job :-D, Now thats a propper machine.
Loverly access.
Thats a machine i have never seen, i enjoyed repairing machines of that era, as you said "belts", ive done many jockey wheels because the ff/rew didnt work, so so common with machines of that era.
Even the cheaper machines with the White Orion pcb were simple to fix, and didnt fail after a service, i do like that era :-D.
Apart from the ferguson videostar, i found the panasonic NV-333 and similar machines to be very forgiving and allways gave a decent picture, i never had a pcb/electronics fail, it was allways the rubber parts that wore out.
Later "Cheap shit" economy vcrs just killed my interest in them :-(
+zx8401ztv I hear you on the cheap shit. I have a bunch of old work horses that just won't die. They are paying off for conversions. I keep pretty busy. I go through about 100 dvd-r a month!
Hitachi VT P90 video nahi a hra hay
great, as always ...
I would love to see you talk about the alignment on the loading mechanism. If you still have this machine….
Actually I do still have this machine. Don't know if it works anymore.
@@12voltvids then you should really check the loading mechanism…😂 I got a Bang Olufsen VHS66 and you have inspired me to try and get it running. Slowly Im getting there but i worked on it all day today and still having problems with the tape going in. Its sort of crocked going in. From what I understand Hitachi did the assembly for Bang Olufsen. So I looked at your video and it looks the same. Anyway. Love to watch your videos. Keep it up
Is it possible to open the mode switch and clean it or will it break?
Heya, I was really hoping you could point me the right direction. I got an RCA VKP-950 described as "just needs new belts." Tried a tape, and it sounded like something was grinding. Checked belts, they had liquified. So I went ahead and got new belts, pinch roller, and idler. Still makes that horrible noise. It looks like it has a similar if not same chassis as yours, but with all the motherboards sandwiched around it to make it "portable." Pain in the butt to disassemble. Right spindle doesn't turn reliably, even with the new idler and belt. Left spindle barely turns, and when it does, it's like teeth gnashing. I couldn't see any broken gears on the back, either. Is there maybe a tensioner or something for the idler? I saw the set screw, but that just bolted it to the motor shaft. Also can't find any service manuals that don't cost hundreds of dollars from a sketchy website.
I was wondering if you'd seen this problem before:
ua-cam.com/video/p0-bo35GMm4/v-deo.html
Thanks.
Does loose belt is the reason for slow reverse action in all vhs
+Prashant Kumar Banjare No, loose belt causes no loading. If one of the other ones were to break it wouldn't play, and if the big drive belt breaks, it will eat the tape.Slow rewind is probably the clutch is gummed up, or the drive idler is slipping.
sir one more query please...despite cleaning the encoder switch in my samsung dvd vcr combo the rewinding is no happening properly...........it works for a while then aborts similalry the forward too works very slowly...........here reapirer are saying its a loose belt...........and i am not getting the belt here...kindly offer some advice.......what could be the main reason for this slow action.
Have any other videos for this particular unit? I have a very similar unit (vt-35) and I'm having a nearly impossible time diagnosing the issue. I had it up and running for a few months with a new belt kit (not the proper belts) and I got my hands on a new set of the proper belts for it, and now it's video cuts out about every 3 seconds and sometimes just rejects the tape immediately after it starts playing. I've noticed if I put a little pressure on the capstan pinch roller it seems to work for about 20 seconds. Any tips? Your videos are fantastic.
I think I've only done the one on that old unit. I really don't use it much because I don't see very many pal tapes these days. I also have a Samsung multisystem converter doesn't much better job that I would be using. But then again it's been so long since I've had a pal tape to transfer it used to do tons and tons of tapes back in the '90s before DVD and the internet took over of people sending tapes their families back and forth but it all dried up real quick when high speed internet became available.
I completely understand. My VT-35 is one of my favorite units (aestheticly) I'd really love to get it back up and running. Any tips you may have based on my issue?
Your workshop make me want to clean mine. Problem is I don't know where to begin because mines as bad as yours. =) I do clean it up from time to time but its a disaster after a few repairs lol! Oh well... Very interesting VCR =)
BTW love the carpet on the workbench, I have the same. Only time I regret it is working on cellphones, those tiny screws get lost in it. Otherwise its great!
+Jay Walt That's the problem. Every time I clean my bench up, it gets cluttered with the next repair. Every time I dump the garbage bin my son thinks that it is his personal garbage bin to throw his big gulp cups in. If it is full, he moves on and puts them in the main can.That VCR is a rare beast, as it has multiple color circuits in it to process the different color standards. I have a multi standard TV as well, that will display NTSC 3.58, NTSC 4.43, PAL and SECAM video formats. I needed that in the days where I was converting to those standards when people used to send tapes in the mail.It is a small 14" monitor that cost me close to a grand when I bought it.But back in the mid 80's and up to about 2000, tape converting was a booming business. It still is, now that VCRs and cameras are all packing it in, and people are left with tapes they can't play.This this past week I did 48 tapes for a client, and just tonight I had 4 to do. One needed this very machine as it was from Australia, and the other 3 were digital 8.
+12voltvids Ah yes I converted all of our home videos and my girlfriends from VHS to digital (authored them to DVD for distro to family). I'd like to find a super8 reel to reel that has a good bulb (seems all the ones at garage sales need bulbs =( ) and a convertor apparatus (the things where u shine the projector into it and your camcorder is aligned with another hole) . I could record from a conventional setup but I've heard the convertors give better results. I've tried offering VHS to DVD conversion but people around here want it done for practically nothing.
+Jay Walt I do it as a business an I have lots of work. I use professional gear. Stand alone dvd recorders give great results. It is all having the right equipment, an offering a good service at a good price. I don't give discounts for quantity. It is a flat fee for vhs, 8 mm including hi8 and d8, and DV. I don't author, I don't edit and I don't watch the videos. I time them and set the machine up make sure there is a picture an let it rip. To do film yes a projector and telecine box will work if you have the right camera. Needs to be a ccd with variable shutter that can be slowed down to match the gate speed of the projector. Cmos cameras with their rolling shutter no good. Scanners are great but processing 1 frame a second means 18 seconds to do 1 second of film. Unless you have a client with a big budget nobody can afford to do this. 1 of those 50 foot reels of film that runs 3 minutes takes a whopping 55 minutes just to scan in as a series of. Jpg and then you have to render. Nobody in their right mind would pay 50 to transfer a 3 minute film, but they will pay 5.00 for an acceptable transfer. If you look at my video of the George Massey tunnel construction, that was a film I transfered many years ago using a light box and a sony ccdvx3 hi 8 3ccd camera. Looks very good. It is easy to mod projectors to use a small 75 watt halogen bulb and that is more than bright enough to use with a camera. I also have a goko film player but I never use it because the quality is not that much better than the telecine but the setup and alignment to get it working is too long for the slight improvements. I don't do a lot of film these days. Most of the people that used it have either already transfered it or they ar dead and the kids didn't care.
I have no issues with kodachrome using my 3ccd setup. Use a 75 watt 12 volt halogen. With ir cut filter. No projection done. Projector lens assy has a ground glass diffuser. Telecine camera attached directly to projector. Get excellent results in real time. Straight to DVD. I can do HD, but usually not much better considering the quality of most old home movies.
Hi, I have just acquired one of these VCR's, makes a loud wurr noise when trying to play/rwd/fwd any idea, have been told belt. Great Vid, hope my issue is only a belt, the bulletproof comments you made give me some hope
Capstan motor bearings get real noisy on those units. They are cheap DC motors with a servo FG on top. Changed many over the years.
@@12voltvids Thanks for the reply, just had the cover off, doesn't feed the tape the cassette goes in fine the silver part (novice lol) spins but it doesn't feed the tape
@@MarkLee-ih6hn belts under the board.
@@12voltvids Thanks, I see that in the video, the belt next to the tyre you pointed at early in the vid (black tyre on my unit) the belt next to that is seems very loose, which belts would I need to buy to replace them all?
@@MarkLee-ih6hn there are 5 belts that should be replaced on it. Capstan, reel drive, play, and 2 loading belts. I don't know the sizes off hand as i used to order them from RCA as a belt kit but the last one i changed was probably 25 years ago. You will need to measure. 3 of the belts will be sbm-xxx one will be an sbs-xxx and the capstan an fbm-xxx where xxx is the size in inches.
Sar i am inda Gujarat Vadodara say Sar my vcr Hitachi vcr model no vt 428 dp me pinch rolling and idler spare parts new milaga
Great vhs keep up the good work.
Thanks! this helped me fix my VT-130e lol
Possible Mech position switch that is what my Tele,video, sat servicing book says if you are wondering who it is by Eugine Trundle, do you have another machine you might strip for parts or maybe replace the IC on the capstan motor.
+DAVID GREGORY KERR Its not the ic that makes it noisy. It is the bearing that is wearing out. The encoder switch goes by many names.Linear encoder, Mechanism position switch, mode switch.The other style that turns is called a rotary encoder. They are all the same thing. They tell the micro the mechanical position of the mechanism.
Neat VCR!
I have a same type of VCR. Now it is working after its restoration but it would be neccesary to fine adjust a couple of things in it. Because of the previous owner...
Can you help me with a service manual? If you have it? Please...
Is it a VT-33? VT-39?
Hi, I sent you an email about a week ago- I have a VT39EM that I acquired not too long ago, and have done extensive work to. The email was a bit long-winded but basically, the machine will not advance in play when using SECAM tapes recorded on an actual VT39EM which I owned in Europe in the 80's. The capstan motor refuses to turn at all with SECAM tapes. If I press pause or FF while in play the picture is visible. With NTSC tapes it plays just fine as long as the NTSC switch is set on the front of the panel. If the switch is set to "colour" mode (panasonic's way of meaning auto) the same thing happens. In this mode the only way to coax the machine to play, is to FF while in play. Once the NTSC indicator illuminates the capstan motor will advance and tape will play. I would be grateful on any insight you may have, or can discuss the possibility of sending the machine to you for diagnosis and repair, as my capabilities are limited without an oscilloscope, to trace the signals. Thanks in advance.
vyper883
Sorry I know nothing about the secam format nor the problem you describe.
Having seen just about ALL of your VCR repair videos, and hearing you describe how you have done many video standards conversion services, along with your 30 plus years of experience in this field, you hardly strike me as a person who would NOT know, or understand the SECAM video standard. In addition I've basically offered myself up as a customer who is in need of a repair of a specific VCR that you seem to know so well. If it helps I could make a video of the VCR and the issue, and email it to you if you'd like. Otherwise I am quite puzzled by the short response.
I know NOTHING about the SECAM standard, and little about PAL. In North America we use the NTSC standard, and that is where my training and experience is. PAL is similar in some respects, but is different enough that I would not feel comfortable with working on PAL equipment. SECAM is a totally different system, and of SECAM there are 2 flavours that are not compatable. There is the French system which is totally on their own and then the SECAM used by the rest of the european coountries, referred to in the VCR world as MESECAM.
Mechanism wise VHS is identical, however circuitry wise there are completely different, with different signal paths and signal processing. I have no specialized test equipment for working with SECAM equipment. I do still have a multi system TV that will display SECAM and PAL and will probably show it off some day with a little cheap PAL/NTSC converter recorder I was given.
I know the NTSC version of the Hitachi VCR well, the multi system I know very little about because I never had to repair them. The one I have was given to me, and the only work I have done on it was belt replacement.
I am quite picky on what pieces of equipment I work on these days because I did make the choice to exit the service business as a career in 2003 and train for a totally different field.
I tend to stick more to audio, and vintage equipment, and domestic VCRs from the late 80's through the 90's. Again I am quite picky with VCRs as I know the ones that can be easily fixed and the ones that had many faults like those horrible Mitsubishi decks that fell apart.
VCRs are tough these days as there are very few parts still available. Even getting the belts has become a challenge. I do maintain my own machines, but I have more non working machines, or machines that I started to repair, and decided they were not worth the effort and abandoned. Those videos never saw the light of day.
I for example have an old Panasonic AGW1 that would be a nice machine to fix, but I have NO clue what is wrong with it, no service manual, and even if I did, the chances of finding parts these days are slim to none. The Samsung multi system I did for a client was an exception, but I had an identical donor machine to pick parts off to fix that one. Again that one was a mechanical fault.
I also have an Aiwa multi system that I have spent hours on, and put it away as I wasn't getting anywhere with that one.
I have an idea what is wrong with it, tape sensor LED and end sensors but I have been trying to find the parts for 2 years and no luck.
Ok, understood. Thank you for the detailed explanation. As of this writing I just fired up the VT39EM, and discovered that I can no longer get it to play anything. I'm suspecting a loading belt as the secondary one it has is quite old. Last week I soaked it in dish soap, and later cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol and it regained some of its grip enough to work up to now. I did not have time to open the bottom of the VCR tonight to see if it is slipping again. I've ordered a belt kit to replace all six belts in the unit. The only ones in the unit at the moment that are half decent, are the main drive belt, the capstan belt the transport belt beneath the clutch wheels with the cut washers, and the primary loading belt. The belt on the top of the machine on the take up reel and pulley beside has a tiny rubber band for the time being until the kit arrives. This drives a pulley for some type of motion sensor. The idle tire is in really good condition with ample tension, but I've ordered one as the original does have some minor cracking. Once the belt kit is in, I will also deoxit the mode switch- I've already cleaned it with deoxit once, but I did not take the switch apart as you did in the RCA VPT 295 which is similar to the VT39EM. All in all, i don't believe the issue is specifically related to any video standard. I think the VCR in general will not easily track even an NTSC signal unless I FF while it is in play. If i do that, it gives the VCR a chance to detect the NTSC signal, and then it plays just fine.
Speaking of AGW1 that you mentioned, I found one of those as well-comes with remote, original box and owners manual. Given the history of that model, I kind of regret it, but we will see how it fares. I've also found a Hitachi VT498EM in mint condition.
Now back to the VT39EM:
I am located in Calgary AB, and from watching your videos, I would guess you are in Vancouver BC. If all else fails, could I send you the machine? Take a crack at it, I will pay you an initial diagnostic fee, plus shipping both ways, and then you would have nothing to lose whether you manage to find the issue/s or not. I'm willing to bet that once you throw it on the oscilloscope, you will work your magic.
The reasons I'm willing to go these lengths: 1) After watching your videos, I don't trust any of the so-called techs here in Calgary to even touch it. If there is one here, I have not found him/her yet..
2) I don't trust, nor do I have any assurances that someone here tasked with a repair attempt, won't scavenge it for parts, and basically tell me that the machine is not worth anything, just so he can keep it for parts, or for himself, or even return it to me in worse shape than it was before. Watching you at work through your videos, you have gained my trust and rapport-even though I've never met you.
3) This model VCR is basically my mid-teen prized possession back in the day-call it sentimental nostalgia. I've been searching for this machine for years. Let me know either way, if you are at all interested. Thanks. :)
i love it
great work...and nice vcr,I like multi system vcrs,I have Panasonic nv-w1 such as ag-w1,his nick name"monster"and another multi system vcr sony slv-x95thak you for your video :)
+abood issa my agw1 died years ago. Bad capacitor issue that affected many of the Panasonic machines.
do you still need a capstain motor for this machine I have 3 of the same model all work but one has bad heads so it being used for parts I live in the uk
Yes it still needs one.
@@12voltvids would you like the whole deck or just the motor the caseing I am keeping but you can have the mech it works but the heads are very bad chiped
@@hawkryder1555 just the motor
@@12voltvids ok buddy I will remove it from the machine and do a torgue test on it I know it is very strong very quiet a trick I have tried on old vcrs that have tired motors is spray I very tiny amount of wd40 it does wonders I will let you know when I have it out
Sounds like a bad clutch and noisy loading motor.
Are you planning to make an AG-W1 repair video?
I might take another look at it at some point.
+12voltvids Will bad caps affect the brightness of the display?
On those Hitachi machines is usually the dc-dc converter module. That is where the display hv source I generated.
That happened on my JVC HR-7700. The DC-DC converter died and I have no display. I have no ideal where to find these parts for a 1980 machine in 2016...