This Mitsu VCR was one of a line of beautifully-designed and engineered VCRs. My favorite feature was the jog/shuttle knob on the remote, which allowed exact tape motion from frame-by-frame to very fast scan, and everything in between. I have the next model up, the HS-U760. Mine was purchased in 1997, so I imagine the model used in this video was probably from 1995. Thanks for this beautifully shot and informative video!
I own a Kenwood vcr and a Yamaha vcr from the 80's that's fully loaded with features such as vu meters, headphone and mic jacks and much more! I wouldn't trade them for nothing in the world. These vcrs were built during an era, when quality meant something.
Working on an HSU545 right now I picked up at a thrift store here for 7 dollars Took the tape assembly out and the belt is still ok Date code points to 2009 Didn’t know VCRs were still being made that late
I use to own a model very similar to the vcr shown here. My didn't have a jog shuttle control and vu meters. Mine did have the Perfect Tape feature on it. The Perfect Tape function just helps to make the best recording or playback possible according to the grade of the video cassette that you are using. The vcr adjusts accordingly to the quality of the tape.
I have a Mitsubishi HS-U65 S-VHS AS soon as you turn it on it turns it self off within 30 seconds. How can I fix this. What do you think is wrong with it?
Very useful thanks. Do you know the belt sizes? [EDIT: I measured the pulley spacing and came up with suitable replacement Parker o-rings: the small one is a Parker 2-021 (1/16 sq), the long one is a 2-042 (1/16 sq)] This got my model HS-U48(c) going again.
Hello Databits, Great video. I am looking at the video, and I have a similar model, HS-U510 and there are three screws securing the bottom, and not two. It looks like you missed one on the back, in middle of the unit. My head unit would not come out until I removed that screw. Thank you.
National = Panasonic. And yes, National was a brand name which never took place in the US. Here in Greece and the Middle East, we had National Panasonic branded VCRs until the early 90s. :) This particular tape is from 1984-85. I have the non-HD version of this exact same tape.
Databits, great instructional video, systematic, with realistic expectations. My question is: since the belts you ordered in the package you displayed [ SKBK0347] did NOT have the correct belts for the Mitsubishi HS-U560, would you please relate a source to find the 2 belts required for that specific VCR? Based on your extensive experience, I would hope that you might relate a reliable source that charges a fair price. Any info would be sincerely appreciated. Allow me to relate a great economical product to remove the black belt goo from your hands. I have used this product for years with no counter productive effects or results. Try using Coleman fuel, the type used for Coleman lanterns and stoves. It runs about 8 -9 bucks a gallon, and this solvent contains no oily residue. It is a naptha based solvent, it has a neutral Ph of 6.9, and dries within 15 seconds of applying. It will not harm the acrylic or plastic spray covering used to protect the circuit board, it will not harm your skin in any manner, although, of course, it is flammable. It dries and leaves a clean surface whether on your skin, plastic pulleys, rollers,ect. It can also remove tar from your car's paint job without any adverse effect to the gel coating on most of today's cars, trucks,ect. I find it more effective than rubbing alcohol. Please send to me your source for the belts I need, I would appreciate your efforts.
So followed your tutorial and took the mechanism out, only to find that both belts were intact. However, when I run the unit, there's a terrible squeal and the tape disengages from the playhead (but doesn't eject). Does this mean that I still need to replace the belts? There's a lot of play on the larger of the two belt. Already cleaned the heads and drum. Thanks!
Im tryin to fix a mitsubishi HS-U446 and it's a pain in my butt. This is the newer model, hoping this would help, nope, this one doesnt have the big belt at all. I got these 2 like small belts, one I know is worn. I used it for years love it, dont wanna let it go! I could go to a repair shop, but no, I wanna learn how to do it. I mean the dang thing doesnt work, and if I fail it would be 30-60 on ebay for another, so Ill keep trying!
Mitsubishi HS - F 5601 V : it's the same mechanism ( I didn't find on the Internet the service manual ) I have the same problem with the 2 belts became very sticky like a slimy substance...
You can download a PDF version of the owners manual here: goo.gl/iko7CZ Im sure it will answer most questions about the unit. Per the date in the manual, it came out in 1995, and per a Popular Photography - July 1996 advertisement , it sold for $389.99USD which equates to $ 591.90USD in 2016 money. I have several early Beta's and VHS VCR's - the parts inside are a whole different world in comparison to newer machines, the weight of an older machine is about the same as a 1961 Lincoln Continental sedan, which I'm sure you're aware of! :)
I have a few electronic things that need new belts. A few cassette machines and my mom's old RCA SelectaVision VCR from the 80s.(now mine) It still works but it just needs new belts. I used a rubber band as a temp fix but it's too wobbly.
databits It was working OK after I put the rubber band on. It played fine on SP tapes but SLP tapes it was jittery. I'll probably grab a kit of belts off amazon or something. Maybe the kit you have since it says universal, or something similar. Then i'll have two Mono VCRs. I need a stereo one like yours so I can record all my VHS tapes to my computer.
I just bought he same model from a good will store for $10 took it home hooked everything up loaded a tape into it found out it wasn't taking the tape. every belt is dry rotted. I'm gonna try to repair it. I don't know where to get belts is the problem.
Cracking machine there, the older ones allways seem better :-D Vcr's pretty much died in the uk, the price was so cheap (£30) that the insides were very nasty indeed, not worth repairing :-(. 1970' and 80's machines were nice to repair and lasted, the ferguson videostar line allways seemed a good machine, even the cheap Orion machines with the white pcbs lasted a good time :-D. Modern stuff is just depressing, never designed to be repaired unlike the smashing machine you just revived.
This Mitsu VCR was one of a line of beautifully-designed and engineered VCRs. My favorite feature was the jog/shuttle knob on the remote, which allowed exact tape motion from frame-by-frame to very fast scan, and everything in between. I have the next model up, the HS-U760. Mine was purchased in 1997, so I imagine the model used in this video was probably from 1995. Thanks for this beautifully shot and informative video!
Thanks for watching Perchpike1
I own a Kenwood vcr and a Yamaha vcr from the 80's that's fully loaded with features such as vu meters, headphone and mic jacks and much more! I wouldn't trade them for nothing in the world. These vcrs were built during an era, when quality meant something.
+Raymond Williams - agreed, don't let them VCR's go!
Working on an HSU545 right now I picked up at a thrift store here for 7 dollars
Took the tape assembly out and the belt is still ok
Date code points to 2009
Didn’t know VCRs were still being made that late
I use to own a model very similar to the vcr shown here. My didn't have a jog shuttle control and vu meters. Mine did have the Perfect Tape feature on it. The Perfect Tape function just helps to make the best recording or playback possible according to the grade of the video cassette that you are using. The vcr adjusts accordingly to the quality of the tape.
+Raymond Williams - oh I see, JVC has it's own tape optimization feature, thanks for sharing!
I have a Mitsubishi HS-U65
S-VHS AS soon as you turn it on it turns it self off within 30 seconds.
How can I fix this. What do you think is wrong with it?
Very useful thanks. Do you know the belt sizes?
[EDIT: I measured the pulley spacing and came up with suitable replacement Parker o-rings: the small one is a Parker 2-021 (1/16 sq), the long one is a 2-042 (1/16 sq)]
This got my model HS-U48(c) going again.
Hello Databits, Great video. I am looking at the video, and I have a similar model, HS-U510 and there are three screws securing the bottom, and not two. It looks like you missed one on the back, in middle of the unit. My head unit would not come out until I removed that screw. Thank you.
National = Panasonic. And yes, National was a brand name which never took place in the US. Here in Greece and the Middle East, we had National Panasonic branded VCRs until the early 90s. :) This particular tape is from 1984-85. I have the non-HD version of this exact same tape.
Seem like most Mitsubishi vcr are about belts wanted to buy the Hsu 795 any suggestion
Databits, great instructional video, systematic, with realistic expectations. My question is: since the belts you ordered in the package you displayed [ SKBK0347] did NOT have the correct belts for the Mitsubishi HS-U560, would you please relate a source to find the 2 belts required for that specific VCR? Based on your extensive experience, I would hope that you might relate a reliable source that charges a fair price. Any info would be sincerely appreciated. Allow me to relate a great economical product to remove the black belt goo from your hands. I have used this product for years with no counter productive effects or results. Try using Coleman fuel, the type used for Coleman lanterns and stoves. It runs about 8 -9 bucks a gallon, and this solvent contains no oily residue. It is a naptha based solvent, it has a neutral Ph of 6.9, and dries within 15 seconds of applying. It will not harm the acrylic or plastic spray covering used to protect the circuit board, it will not harm your skin in any manner, although, of course, it is flammable. It dries and leaves a clean surface whether on your skin, plastic pulleys, rollers,ect. It can also remove tar from your car's paint job without any adverse effect to the gel coating on most of today's cars, trucks,ect. I find it more effective than rubbing alcohol. Please send to me your source for the belts I need, I would appreciate your efforts.
So followed your tutorial and took the mechanism out, only to find that both belts were intact. However, when I run the unit, there's a terrible squeal and the tape disengages from the playhead (but doesn't eject). Does this mean that I still need to replace the belts? There's a lot of play on the larger of the two belt. Already cleaned the heads and drum. Thanks!
Yes it would recommend replacing them. Good luck!
always wanted a VCR with vu meters still haven't run into one yet ;) nice video
+Mike Cramp - thanks Mike, yeah I've seen few like that
My tape mechanism is not working after i replaced the belts i cant get a vhs to go in
Can any one simply explain to me how does the tilted cylinder read the info off the tape and turn it into picture on the tv?
Im tryin to fix a mitsubishi HS-U446 and it's a pain in my butt. This is the newer model, hoping this would help, nope, this one doesnt have the big belt at all.
I got these 2 like small belts, one I know is worn. I used it for years love it, dont wanna let it go! I could go to a repair shop, but no, I wanna learn how to do it. I mean the dang thing doesnt work, and if I fail it would be 30-60 on ebay for another, so Ill keep trying!
Udaya💡💡💡💡💡
I have the same RCA tv as the one sitting under the video monitor.
Wow! Look at it roll! Now we can watch Jackie Gleason while we eat
+Jerry Spann - you got the reference...haha
I have the same exact cassette you have, only branded Panasonic.
Mitsubishi HS - F 5601 V : it's the same mechanism
( I didn't find on the Internet the service manual )
I have the same problem with the 2 belts became very sticky like a slimy substance...
You can download a PDF version of the owners manual here: goo.gl/iko7CZ Im sure it will answer most questions about the unit. Per the date in the manual, it came out in 1995, and per a Popular Photography - July 1996 advertisement , it sold for $389.99USD which equates to $ 591.90USD in 2016 money. I have several early Beta's and VHS VCR's - the parts inside are a whole different world in comparison to newer machines, the weight of an older machine is about the same as a 1961 Lincoln Continental sedan, which I'm sure you're aware of! :)
+Vintage Electronics Geek I have 7 Beta VCRs which date from 1978-1983. These old machines are tanks!
Oh yeah, goooie belts are hell. But just wait until the tape capstan decides to go goooie, what a pain from any vcr/tape/Dac units.
I have a few electronic things that need new belts. A few cassette machines and my mom's old RCA SelectaVision VCR from the 80s.(now mine) It still works but it just needs new belts. I used a rubber band as a temp fix but it's too wobbly.
Yes - you will need some real belts and probably some tires
databits
It was working OK after I put the rubber band on. It played fine on SP tapes but SLP tapes it was jittery. I'll probably grab a kit of belts off amazon or something. Maybe the kit you have since it says universal, or something similar. Then i'll have two Mono VCRs. I need a stereo one like yours so I can record all my VHS tapes to my computer.
wake up at 11:14 P.M. to use the bathroom and see this video. Nice.
+SpyBomber64 - glad I could help you get the job done! lol
I just bought he same model from a good will store for $10 took it home hooked everything up loaded a tape into it found out it wasn't taking the tape. every belt is dry rotted. I'm gonna try to repair it. I don't know where to get belts is the problem.
Hey adventurer! Look for bulk belt kits on ebay. You'll need some flat belts also.
Cracking machine there, the older ones allways seem better :-D
Vcr's pretty much died in the uk, the price was so cheap (£30) that the insides were very nasty indeed, not worth repairing :-(.
1970' and 80's machines were nice to repair and lasted, the ferguson videostar line allways seemed a good machine, even the cheap Orion machines with the white pcbs lasted a good time :-D.
Modern stuff is just depressing, never designed to be repaired unlike the smashing machine you just revived.
This VCR is selling
I HAVE MITTSUBISHI HS-U560 MY DOSIEN:T MOVE YOU COULD TELL WHAT WRONG
Writing on the back of the tape cover is arabic, just because you asked.
+gentuxable - thank you!
databits
You're welcome. Thank you for making great videos, like them a lot!
+gentuxable - thank you for the support!