Covers the most common repair procedures on many 1980s VCRs. Not exactly a high-budget production (looks like it was recorded, edited, and distributed on VHS, with plenty of generational quality loss), but maybe it will help someone...
There wasn't really any alternative to distributing a video in the 80s (besides Betamax which most people didn't have). But yeah, it's ironic that a guide to fix a VCR requires a VCR to watch.
Thank you very much for posting this. This actually helped me repair my 1985 Panasonic VCR that was locking up and chewing tapes. Getting to the idler would have been a mystery to me if it was not for 10:20 to 12:45. I recently bought a 1984/1985 Sears (Hitachi) VCR that I will need to service completely. The unit is similar to the 23:35 model but it is slightly more modern with no PC board at the bottom. It has a cable ready tuner and Linear Dolby Stereo.
Thank you! Some of this repairs I've had to learn by myself. fortunately at the electronic store here in Strasbourg I was able to contact a retired repair guy who worked on TVs and VCRs in the 80s. unfortunately most of the ppl who could also help are long dead.
I wonder if there is anyone that has Volumes Two and Three of this as these are very helpful guides for my growing 1980s VCR collection. Calling Oddity Archive.
Sometimes defective tapes will wreck a VCR so if it messed up a previously working vcr do not try it in a second one. That can cause it to wreck 2nd VCr also and any other tapes put into them after.
And the recording's colors are messed up, it looks like comeone tried to record a PAL signal in NTSC. Swapping the R and G values could solve the problem.
What would cause a Symphonic SC313B combo TV/VCR to shut down after 5-10 seconds of being turned on. If I put a tape in it will play the tape no problems. As soon as I hit the Stop button 5-10 secs it will turn off the TV. The only trick I found is if I disconnect the power cord and wait for lets say 30 mins, then plug the cord back in with a tape in it and hold the tape from coming out it will stay on. As soon as I eject the tape the TV shuts off or if I just manually shut off the TV then turn it back on it will shut off in 5-10 seconds. I have to repeat the process of unplugging the TV for some period of time then power up with a tape in it and hold it so it won't come out then the TV will work again. Any clues what the fix is?
I cant be the only person who see's the irony of producing a "How to fix your broken VCR that wont play tapes" tape...still very helpful though...I have a couple of guide books but there very dry and dont offer a lot in the way of Illustrations...
Sony Betamax sl-hf400 the video drum and the capstan motor with the pinch roller doesn't rotate at all but rewind ffwd eject everything functions well any idea about the problem ?Plz help thanks a lot
Hello. I have a lg dvd-vhs combo vcr. The first 10-15 minutes show bad. Then it gets better. I tried many different cassettes same problem. I wonder what the problem might be. Sorry google translation
I also have an LG DVD/ VCR combo, and after a long period out of use, it would really struggle with tapes, picture quality was shocking, sound was also terrible. I took the covers off, and cleaned the VCR heads by hand with methylated sprits, and tested. (Watch a RU-vid video on how to do this, because getting methylated spirits in the wrong place can cause damage). Sadly it did chew a part of one tape, so test it with a tape you’re not too concerned about, but after that it settled down and has worked reliably ever since.
I have two vhs jvc version HR-D721EN and both play with sound but black image, I already cleaned the heads and it's still the same, if I fast-forward there you can see the rain but then it's black with the play logo. any idea how to repair it or a circuit that is wrong. Thank you
Does anyone know if any of the VCR repair guys here on RU-vid will answer some repair questions? I know time is valuable, so I would try to make it as quick as possible. I'm trying to learn a few things about repairing these beasts. I have about 15 of them and want to avoid having to trash them. They need to live on!...lol.
He actually messaged me and said he would help if he could and we've spoken a few times. But I think he's too busy to answer all of the questions I have. I'm still accumulating VCRs and camcorders, so the questions are piling up. I'd really like to know where to get parts for one thing. I need a power supply for a JVC VCR and a mode switch (I think is what it's called) for a Samsung CC. And also some ribbon cables for a few things. It's kinda overwhelming me!...lol. Thanks for the tip VWestlife.
Anyone else concerned from the beginning on whether or not this is reliable instruction based on the fact they don't know the difference between "insure" and "ensure", or has my OCD gotten a little too extreme?
hmmm. Nope I'm Not gonna try. brand new out the box at downtown los angeles $39 repairman will charge $$$$ and parts will be $$$$ I'll still give you KUDOS for the video and you uploading. i Like, OLE!
I don't know where you could buy a brand new VCR, the only remaining company stopped making them 3 years ago. $39 would be very cheap for a brand new(maybe old stock?) VCR, a decent one certainly cost more than that when they were popular. When the original video was made, some VCRs were very expensive. Anyway, it's nice to get VCRs working again :), especially good models.
VHS VCRs have optical sensors for the end of the tape. Just cover the sensors with black electrician's tape and then the machine will be able to perform its transport functions without a tape.
