Is Hitachi VL-S100 SVHS VCR w/TBC of any use digitizing SVHS tapes?

[MrCreosote]

I just purchased the S100 and was excited it had TBC and preamp on the drum only to find it functions in SP only.
So I can't play my EP SVHS tapes thru it.
But is there any way its TBC could be used?

I ask these questions as an infant noob, I have gear, I know about RF capture, but I don't know how the gear is strung together and the process (I had a better idea 1-2 years ago but at 72 my memory is garbage).

I am probably not interested in methods that take massive time to rip tapes. I have 18 pro grade SVHS tapes that are "time capsules" of bits, snippets and pieces of stuff from OTA TV that were amazing - predating the internet for the most part.

If the S100 has no value, I'm going to return it.

It's a big disappointment, this unit was just too amazing having never seen one until a week ago. It's reminiscent of the Beta portables. It doesn't overload the senses like a Nagra, but it ain't too shabby.

Here an ad ChatGPT found:


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NOTE: I took crappy cell phone pics of the User Manual which may be the only one in existence on net - Chat could not find any.

[dellsam34]

Having a pre-amp on the drum is a great idea but watch out for the contact brushes, they tend to wear out or get dirty and create static noise, Manual tracking is nice for problematic tapes but automatic tracking is much better. If your tapes are SP keep it.

[MrCreosote]

Having a pre-amp on the drum is a great idea but watch out for the contact brushes, they tend to wear out or get dirty and create static noise, Manual tracking is nice for problematic tapes but automatic tracking is much better. If your tapes are SP keep it.

Unfortunately all my tapes are EP.
So the TBC is of no use for digitizing?

[themaster1]

if you need a good EP s-vhs deck i have one. No tbc but great in this specialty. Although you're in the u.s, might make things not easy.

[MrCreosote]

if you need a good EP s-vhs deck i have one. No tbc but great in this specialty. Although you're in the u.s, might make things not easy.

I have a bunch of SVHS: U82 that is dead & needs repair, Toshiba 990 with loose tape tension (tape gets loose momentarily when scanning - if I had a serv man could be quick fix), JVC 3600 SVHS ET (untested), JVC lowly basic model SVHS ET works fine. I buy every SVHS deck I encounter in thrift stores and Marketplace. Maybe I'll get insanely lucky and score a good one.

[dellsam34]

Tape gets loose momentarily while fast forwarding or rewinding is a symptom of worn out spindle hubs' brakes.

[MrCreosote]

Tape gets loose momentarily while fast forwarding or rewinding is a symptom of worn out spindle hubs' brakes.

FF and REW OK, it's when during Playback and you Scan (usually press and hold FF) there is momentary slack in tape - the result is a permanent scratch damage on the tape. The slack and recovery is not abrupt like it is barely happening, so I'm thinking a slight tension adj may be all it needs. Couldn't see any markings on the PCB and don't have a service manual (I probably should start trying to find a SM before I actually need it.)