VCR gone south - advice please

[dadrab]

Good day all.

Recently, my beloved JVC 9600 began powering down whenever turned on or a tape was inserted. It will come on for an instant, then down it goes. I can't get it to do a damn thing.

I took it to a local shop for repair after talking to them on the phone. They say they're a JVC authorized shop, but I'm beginning to wonder.

In any case, they've now had it for five weeks.

I don't worry them to death or anything, but I do call from time to time to be appraised of progress. So far, there has been none.

First, they said they were waiting on some capacitors. Same thing second time I called.

Today, they guy told me they might have to replace the "whole board" in it and he didn't know if those parts are still available.

Needless to say, I'm beginning to lose confidence.

I have no qualms with going in and asking for my vcr back, but the big question is: Will anyone else have any better luck? Do those of you familiar with repair circles think I'm having my chain yanked?

I guess I'm thinking ahead (maybe too much so), but if this were your unit, what would be your next move?

I could begin looking for another unit. Chances are flea-bay might yield something.

Truthfully, I'd rather have my old unit back. I raised it from a pup, you know. It's been a very good machine and I know "where it's been," so to speak.

I'd just as soon not drop $500 on a Mitsubishi 2000 DVHS, but I realize there might not be much choice.

Let me know what you all think.

Thanks in advance.

[creakndale]

Back in 1990, I had a JVC HR-D180U VCR that began powering itself off and it wouldn't eject a tape. In my case it couId take up to an hour for the VCR to shut itself off. I took it to a local repair shop and ultimately got the run-around. He kept it for 5 weeks and when I finally got it back he said it had been powered on for 24 hours, never powered itself off, played multiple tapes without any problem. I paid him $100 and when I got it home I plugged it in and put in a tape. Within 30 minutes it powered itself off. This was the same exact problem it had before I took it in for repair.

I found that there was a JVC Factory Service Center located in Cypress, California near where I frequently traveled for work. I hand carried the VCR there on the airplane and dropped it off. A week later I got it back and it was fixed. The problem was the 4-output Voltage Regulator Integrated Circuit "STK5481". It's a big 12 pin IC that mounts to a heatsink.

I got 1/2 of my money back from the local repair shop after showing him the JVC repair receipt for $79 which included parts, labor and shipping.

Here's the link to the JVC Factory Service Centers.
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/support/support.jsp?pageID=10

I believe your HR-S9600U VCR is shown here?
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?pathId=49&archive=true

I would call JVC and see if service is still available for your unit and if so get your VCR back from the local shop ASAP.

creakndale

[Number Six]

It has been years since I have worked on a VCR, but if I remember correctly the symptoms that you describe are usually caused by the optical sensors on the transport mechanism being bad, and / or the BELTS and rubber IDLER TIRES are too old and not gripping. The optical circuit is composed of an IR LED in the middle of the transport and 2 IR SENSORS, 1 on the left side and 1 on the right side. The very old original VCRs had a real light bulb instead of an IR.

I have no idea why they are trying to replace capacitors - or why they would want to replace a board. Any idea what board they are trying to repair?



BTW: What ever happened with your computer that would shut down when unprovoked?

[victoriabears]

Where are you in the USA as there may be good advice on a local repair shop.

If they do not know what is wrong with it within 24 hours of looking at it, they will never know.

Get it back.

[orsetto]

The "classic" JVC high-end machines are an absolute bitch to get repaired properly. Local "authorized" shops have no clue: as others have suggested, get it back right away and send it to an actual JVC Factory Service depot. Chances are, they won't know their ass from their elbow either on a unit this old, but its worth a try. If they can't do it,or quote you some ridiculous price, let it retire gracefully and replace it with either the Mitsu 2000 or the JVC SR-VD400 DVHS, whenever you can afford it. Just taking a quick look at eBay today, I note prices have recently dropped dramatically on mint, used DVHS units: many had winning bids under $200. New-old-stock in sealed box still fetches $450, but nice clean used machines go for half. DVHS is a much safer bet used than the older SVHS, and will remain repairable longer.

But try direct JVC service first: their results with your 9600 will determine your options. Good luck!

[dadrab]

Thanks for the input, guys.

I'm not surprised by your responses, but I'm a bit disappointed in the shop. You know the feeling you get in your gut when something's just not right? I had it when I dropped my unit off and I didn't pay attention because the shop has a reasonable reputation.

I'm in Augusta, Ga. There is a service center in Lawranceville, Ga. - which is near Atlanta - about 125 miles or so from me. Hand delivery is pretty questionable since business wouldn't take me even close. I supposed UPS is my friend. I do still have the original box and packing for the unit, so shipping shouldn't be a problem.

Still, I now question the wisdom of repairing the unit.

I have found a JVC 9611 on ebay that I might be able to pick up reasonably. Who knows where the bidding will go, though.

B&H has refurbished JVC HM-DH4000U and HMD-H5U units for sale for what I deem to be reasonable prices. I'm not scared of factory refurbs - in fact, my 9600 was a refurb.

What can anyone tell me about these units? Will they fit the bill?

Any idea what board they are trying to repair?

I wish I could tell you, but I can't.

BTW: What ever happened with your computer that would shut down when unprovoked?

I posted up a note at the end of that thread in the hopes that others seeing the post would see I finally found closure. 8)

The problem turned out to be the motherboard. It's been running correctlly for about three months now - rock stable. I just wish the shop had chosen to replace the board first, but since all the components were under warranty, I had to work their recommendations first and most of their techs were absolutely convinced the board wasn't the problem.

In the end, I didn't feel like such a dumbass after all - in fact, I felt a little vindicated.

[orsetto]

The typical nagging problem JVCs develop is in their tracking and transport systems. This is why I usually advise against them as a used purchase at inflated prices. The 9911 is a good case in point: this was nothing but their low-end $130 vcr chassis tarted up with a fancy drop-down front panel and the TBC/DNR chip. When you get right down to it, the 9911 is a plastic crap vcr in its bones (and yes, I know there are dozens of members who own and love them: more power to you, I've never seen or had one that worked right). If you can pick up a functional 9911 for under $100, fine, but at $200 there are better choices.

Right now, with the economy slumping, early adopters are all dumping their barely-used MGA 2000 DVHS units on eBay at the same time, which is driving prices down to levels unseen since 2005. This is a killer machine: same TBC/DNR system as JVC but *much* better mechanics, loader and tracking. At $180 used/clean, it is unbeatable unless you find a comparable JVC DVHS for the same price. Even then I'd opt for the MGA: it has an actual TBC, where the JVC DVHS only have DNR (to be fair, the output of any DVHS playing regular VHS looks great, TBC or not: the DNR alone is that good). Of the two you're looking at from B&H, the JVC 40000 is known to have overheating problems, and it is more valuable for dedicated DVHS uses than as a feeder deck for DVD transfer. The HM-D5U is the same vcr but without the fancy front panel and no tuner. Its debatable which is better: both have similar inherent flaws, the HM-D5U is considered slightly more reliable because its power supply was redesigned to run slightly cooler. The only reason to risk a JVC DVHS over a Mitsubishi is if you actually intend to use the DVHS "D-theater" tapes, a JVC exclusive which their machines are optimized to play into almost any display. If you just want a feeder deck for DVD transfer of normal VHS, and *must* have a JVC, look for the SR-VD400US which runs a lot cooler and is the most reliable JVC ever made, on par with the Mitsubishi 2000.

[Number Six]

It is probably best to get the unit back from that shop before they do serious damage to it, and further compound the problem.


Also, glad you got that computer fixed - I was following that thread and do not know how I missed your final post

[dadrab]

Also, glad you got that computer fixed - I was following that thread and do not know how I missed your final post

Don't give it another thought... 8)

It was a while between my initial post and final resolution. I thought about the fact that I'd left a thread hanging some time after that and posted those last comments.

I guess I'll use part of my day off tomorrow to go retrieve my machine - damn it.

Once I have it back in hand, I'll try some alternatives. Hell, I might even go in and try to figure out how to fix it myself.

[gshelley61]

Sell it as-is for parts/repair on eBay. Use the money towards something else.

Perhaps you can find another 7600/9600/9800 in good shape. Or opt for one of the DVHS machines mentioned.

[themaster1]

There is an Ebook for troubleshootings on VCR that goes in great depth for many common problems (most are mechanical though), maybe yours is one of them:

http://books.google.com/books?id=YiDraJn7wwQC&pg=PA31&lpg=PA32&ots=ProRyzVx7M&dq=vcr%2...fr&output=html

edit:

if you can save a few pages at the same time because i can't see pages anymore it's all restricted for me :/

[dadrab]

I appreciate the info from all who've posted.

Thanks very much guys.

I'm off to retrieve my machine. 8)

[dadrab]

**UPDATE**

Good day, all.

As per your recommendations (and my own decision), I went and retrieved my beloved JVC 9600 from the folks who had it. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure they opened the case.

...water under the bridge...

The upside is that, while I was there, the guy who took my machine in recommended another shop in the area and told me the proprietor was really good with VCRs. Turns out I (peripherally) know the guy.

The second guy and I chatted for a good while before I left the machine with him.

I got a call from him this morning saying the head motor was bad - sporatically - so, I guess it's really "going bad." He said he'd even been able to get it to run for almost the length of a tape, but toward the end, the machine shut down. He also said it might not be worth the cost of the repair to replace the motor.

I'm not so sure I agree with that assertion, but who the hell am I? Given that I'm going to be looking at around the $350-500 range to get something that I can work with (of the calibre I'm used to) I think the repair might be worth it - especially if I can do it myself.

I feel certain I can source the motor and I'm fairlly handy with a soldering gun (snickering to myself).

Anybody got any good sources for VCR parts?

Thanks again.

[victoriabears]

How much can you earn per hour?

How much is it worth to you to get a machine as 100% working as you can?

Let the repairer do it, unless you can source a machine with good "provanence" as they say in the antiques trade.

An Ebay search indicates there are many choices and your price may be a bit high:-

http://shop.ebay.com/items/__jvc-vcr?_trkparms=72%253A1234%257C66%253A2%257C65%253A12%....c0.m14&_pgn=4

This is from a respcted member of this forum:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-SR-V101US-S-VHS-STEREO-HI-FI-VCR-TBC-DNR-NICE_W0QQitemZ2203433...3A2%7C294%3A50

Or:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290287794153

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-SR-MV45US-VCR-DVD-Recorder-Combo-SR-MV45US-Refurb_W0QQitemZ290...3A3%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-SR-V101US-PROFESSIONAL-S-VHS-VCR-DECK-WORKS-GREAT_W0QQitemZ290...3A3%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-HR-S9600U-SVHS-S-VHS-VCR-DECK-WORKS-GREAT-BIN-PRICE_W0QQitemZ3...3A1%7C294%3A50

Best of all, but hours of use, in my experience is not the whole answer, many electronics are better if used at least weekly:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/JVC-HR-S9600U-VCR-HiFi-SVHS-S-VHS-w-Remote-Manual-Mint_W0QQitemZ15...3A1%7C294%3A50


Just takes a bit of patience and research.

[themaster1]

Top 15 Failures of the 90s

Number 4
CPU RESET - do you know where the reset button is on your VCR? If you say there is no such thing, we have a surprise for you. No, it's not a red button on the back, but you can still operate it without even openning your VCR. Simply by removing the AC power plug for about 30 seconds and then plugging it back in again. This resets the CPU. Turning the VCR off with the power button won't work; it must be unplugged.

This can solve a number of problems. Any time your VCR appears to be dead or doesn't respond to anything, try resetting it. Any time it behaves weird, like your channel indicator locks up or your clock goes to all 8's, try resetting it. This phenomenon occurs a lot more often than most people think. The primary cause is believed to be static electricity and power surges. You know that feeling you get when you walk across a staticy carpet and touch something like a door knob. It seems like it shocks your finger tip off. This electricity can also rearrange the digits inside your VCRs CPU. Fortunately, resetting fixes most of these problems.

Source: http://www.fixer.com/osm/top-15a.php

Not sure it'll help but who knows.. the infos on this site are priceless though

[dadrab]

themaster1,

Excellent idea, but no dice in my case. I really hoped it would be that simple, but a reset was the first thing I tried.


victoriabears,

I really appreciate the research. I hadn't done much since the time of my original posting and there appears to be a lot more available now. Thank you.



I have a couple of questions for those of you with multi-machine experience.

1) What can anyone tell me about a Panasonic AG DS555P. The guy who's working on mine has a couple of them. He thinks pretty highly of them. What do you all say?

2) What can you folks tell me about the JVC SR-V101US that's for sale? I just a soon buy a replacement from someone here for obvious reasons

[robjv1]

I have a JVC SR-V101US and use it as one of my primary VCRs. It's case construction (plastic) is not the best, but the VCR itself has worked perfectly for me over the last two years. I have nothing bad to say about it and it performs every bit as good as my JVC 7600u did.

[Endzone]

Darn, I just took my 9600U to my storage space that was a parts unit. I bought this unit as a refurb and it had a tape transport problem that would crunch tapes. Like a previous poster said, most of the problems are in the tape transport mechanism, and they are difficult units to work with. I know a guy who bought a new HR-D750U and paid over $600 for it in 1988, and the local service shop was never able to find the problem in the tape transport.

1. I wouldn't buy a refurb unit as it may in fact have a hidden problem that wont show up during a routine testing.
2. You can get a 9600 or 9800 used on Ebay pretty cheap now that probably hasn't been used much.
3. Unless somebody really knows what they're doing, I wouldn't try to get the 9600 repaired. As besides somebody who might have been really good on them at one time may not have worked on them in quite a while. I think most problems with VCRs were mechanical and not electrical.

**UPDATE**

Good day, all.

As per your recommendations (and my own decision), I went and retrieved my beloved JVC 9600 from the folks who had it. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure they opened the case.

...water under the bridge...

The upside is that, while I was there, the guy who took my machine in recommended another shop in the area and told me the proprietor was really good with VCRs. Turns out I (peripherally) know the guy.

The second guy and I chatted for a good while before I left the machine with him.

I got a call from him this morning saying the head motor was bad - sporatically - so, I guess it's really "going bad." He said he'd even been able to get it to run for almost the length of a tape, but toward the end, the machine shut down. He also said it might not be worth the cost of the repair to replace the motor.

I'm not so sure I agree with that assertion, but who the hell am I? Given that I'm going to be looking at around the $350-500 range to get something that I can work with (of the calibre I'm used to) I think the repair might be worth it - especially if I can do it myself.

I feel certain I can source the motor and I'm fairlly handy with a soldering gun (snickering to myself).

Anybody got any good sources for VCR parts?

Thanks again.

[dadrab]

** UPDATE II **

...to tie up loose ends...

The second guy I took my machine to did indeed diagnose the problem. It seems the head motor went to hell in the proverial hand-basket.

He didn't know if he'd be able to find parts and, if he did, wasn't sure he'd be able to get the alignment back properly.

So, I took the advise of you fine folks and bought another machine from one of this site's respected members.

The machine arrived yesterday.

I don't really know what came over me, but I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get home, plug it up and try it out...

...which I did. 8)

As far as I can tell, the newer machine works very well. I tossed in one of my Wild, Wild West tapes and began ripping away. The output was very nice - maybe even better than my 9600.

One of the conclusions I've come to through all this is "don't put off encoding those old tapes."

I've got a lot of work to do.

Thanks all.

Rab