My JVC HR-S5800U has died

[filmjax]

I picked up a JVC HR-S5800U recently at an estate sale super cheap, because it was also super clean looking and the guy apparently had a house full of well-kept electronics. I was able to use it for a good 6 hours or so and now it won't play back any video, just audio. Even the tape I captured successfully for 6 total hours won't play back properly anymore.

I've cleaned the heads of course, no luck there. Anyone still have this unit? Does this sound like a common problem? If there's not a simple fix for this, what are we all doing with malfunctioning VCRs now? I hate to just throw it out, I mean it kinda works...

[davideck]

One thing to try is replacing C6 on the drum motor board. I had an HR-S6800 whose playback suddenly went to snow, and replacing C6 fixed the problem. I also had an HR-S5800 long ago, and I believe that C6 is in that VCR as well.

See this reference;

http://www.science-bbs.com/72-electronics-repair/9024c0baf8b5db46.htm

From Bob (#10/10);

"The other problem was tracking, it just wasn't working no matter what I did, then I read the Repair FAQ on your site Sam and found the problem in no time at all. It was definitely the 3.3 uF, 50 V capacitor labeled C6 on the circuit board just underneath the drum motor. I replaced the defective cap and did a much needed routine cleaning and now it's running like new."

Good Luck!

[lordsmurf]

It was honestly never a great VCR anyway.
These are: VCR Buying Guide (S-VHS, D-VHS, Professional) for restoring video

My 5901 is sitting in a closet.

[jman98]

I've cleaned the heads of course, no luck there. Anyone still have this unit? Does this sound like a common problem? If there's not a simple fix for this, what are we all doing with malfunctioning VCRs now? I hate to just throw it out, I mean it kinda works...

If you can replace capacitors like davideck mentioned, I suppose that's one option. But most people either pay for expensive repairs that may not last or just throw them out and buy another.

VCRs were never intended to last until the end of time so they got made with crappier and crappier components. A large number of the so called "recommended" VCRs that you can find on old lists from 10+ years ago had crap components. The manufacturers just expected you to throw them away and buy a new one when they crapped out. I've read other stories like yours where buyers get a model home and it works fine - for a few days. Then it's just junk after that. Because the components are so crappy in a lot of VCRs, repairs rarely last. Maybe you get a few months or longer out of a repair, maybe less. And that's with reputable repair guys who do know their stuff. At this point I recommend people to just use any VCR they can find that works reasonably well and get their tapes copied as quickly as possible. Every year old VCRs die and get thrown away, leaving fewer and fewer for people like you. At this point just about any used VCR has been rode hard and put up wet as they say. I'd advise prioritizing your needs to capture tapes and get the critical ones done first. And having realistic goals helps, like you have maybe 10 or 20 tapes to copy. Trying to do 150, or 200 or more like some posters claim is just nuts at this point.

[newpball]

At this point I recommend people to just use any VCR they can find that works reasonably well and get their tapes copied as quickly as possible. Every year old VCRs die and get thrown away, leaving fewer and fewer for people like you. At this point just about any used VCR has been rode hard and put up wet as they say. I'd advise prioritizing your needs to capture tapes and get the critical ones done first.

Sound advice!