How much is a Panasonic NV-FS200 / AG1980 worth now?

[zeroprobe]

I recently got a Panasonic HS-960 and the picture quality was awful compared to our old NV-FS88. Cleaned the heads etc, but the picture was very noisy and less detailed in comparison.

I then got a NV-FS200 off ebay for around £140. I see the AG1980 is on websites for around $600? Did I get lucky with this one?

Final question. Is it ok to use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean the heads? At first I thought I bought a dud, as it wouldn't play any video at all. I put a head cleaning tape in which cured the problem. The picture is good now, but I'm going to also manually clean the parts myself.

[lordsmurf]

Going rate is about $250 in decent used condition, maybe $350-450 for something that's like new or low hours. The $600 pricing is for people that are living in 1995. Even then, that amount was a tad ridiculous for used S-VHS gear.

I've answered this exact question before at http://www.digitalFAQ.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/restore-filter-improve-17.html
Always some discussion of high-end VCRs going on.

The 140 quid is probably about average price, for something that works well.

[Quasipal]

I recently got a Panasonic HS-960 and the picture quality was awful compared to our old NV-FS88. Cleaned the heads etc, but the picture was very noisy and less detailed in comparison.

I then got a NV-FS200 off ebay for around £140. I see the AG1980 is on websites for around $600? Did I get lucky with this one?

Final question. Is it ok to use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean the heads? At first I thought I bought a dud, as it wouldn't play any video at all. I put a head cleaning tape in which cured the problem. The picture is good now, but I'm going to also manually clean the parts myself.

I am suprised about the 960. Are you using the filters and trying the differeing sharpness settings? Remember, when set to 'edit' the filters are made non-operational. With a similar model (860) using 3-D noise reduction tapes are played back with minimal to no grain at all. I do concur about detail though. My NV-HS1000 plays with more fine detail (hair and clothing texture more visible).

Isopropyl is fine to use but do spend time cleaning all areas. The tape rebate in the lower drum is often ignored but is important to tape alignment (especially the very beginning). The drum of course and also I would renew the pinch roller as it will more than likely have a shine or PM me - I can re-finish it for you on a special machine I have.

When you open the machine, by observing the wear/ oxide deposits on the roller, capstan shaft and also if the static audio head is worn in any way you can tell what sort of use the machine has had.

[orsetto]

It depends on where you live, because of monetary differences and supply/demand. In the USA, the AG1980 is at an all-time low: careful eBay shoppers can snag a functional unit for less than $100, although as LordSmurf notes a clean, guaranteed example sold by a reputable dealer might be closer to $200. $350 would be the absolute extreme limit on a US/Canada version, and that would be for barely-used still-in-box mint VCR. Considering these are quite old now, even "mint unused" ones may require minor servicing, so my personal choice would be getting a clean but used 1980 and having it looked at by a service tech. There's no real advantage to a "mint" AG1980. That goes double for any JVC SVHS, which tend to be harder to repair and align than the AG1980. Do not overpay for a "mint" JVC: make sure its clean and functional, pay a reasonable price, then have a pro rebuild it for you.

I've mentioned previously that there was a virtrually unknown "twin sister" model to the AG1980, which can sometimes be found at a significant savings because it gets totally overlooked. In North America it was model AG5710, I don't know if a PAL version was marketed elsewhere. The AG5710 is identical to the AG1980 except it has no front panel line inputs, no tuner, and no remote receiver (doesn't react to a wireless remote). Instead of these "consumer" features, it adds a complex computer interface at the rear panel for integration with production suite control boards. It originally sold for twice the AG1980 price, but is now often seen for $50-75 on USA eBay. Assuming you don't mind having to operate all controls from the front panel (no remote capabiliy), it can be a "bargain" alternative to the AG1980.

[zeroprobe]

I recently got a Panasonic HS-960 and the picture quality was awful compared to our old NV-FS88. Cleaned the heads etc, but the picture was very noisy and less detailed in comparison.

I then got a NV-FS200 off ebay for around £140. I see the AG1980 is on websites for around $600? Did I get lucky with this one?

Final question. Is it ok to use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean the heads? At first I thought I bought a dud, as it wouldn't play any video at all. I put a head cleaning tape in which cured the problem. The picture is good now, but I'm going to also manually clean the parts myself.

I am suprised about the 960. Are you using the filters and trying the differeing sharpness settings? Remember, when set to 'edit' the filters are made non-operational. With a similar model (860) using 3-D noise reduction tapes are played back with minimal to no grain at all. I do concur about detail though. My NV-HS1000 plays with more fine detail (hair and clothing texture more visible).

Isopropyl is fine to use but do spend time cleaning all areas. The tape rebate in the lower drum is often ignored but is important to tape alignment (especially the very beginning). The drum of course and also I would renew the pinch roller as it will more than likely have a shine or PM me - I can re-finish it for you on a special machine I have.

When you open the machine, by observing the wear/ oxide deposits on the roller, capstan shaft and also if the static audio head is worn in any way you can tell what sort of use the machine has had.

Thanks,

I think the heads are worn on my FS200. When playing videos I will get random sharp horizonal lines appearing quite regularly.

Would it be possible to swap the drum from my FS88 to the FS200 if they are similar? Anyone know of any VCR repair shops still in operation?

[orsetto]

Would it be possible to swap the drum from my FS88 to the FS200 if they are similar? Anyone know of any VCR repair shops still in operation?

We have very little information available in North America regarding the PAL versions of semi-pro Panasonics. For one thing, Panasonic apparently sold many more variations and models of these units in PAL than they did in North American NTSC guise. Here in USA/Canada, we had only two models over many years: first the AG1970, then the AG1980. Near as I can tell, the NV-FS200 is very similar to the AG1980 with its advanced TBC and DNR, but the NV-FS88 is not a direct clone of the AG1970 and there seem to have been several other "flavors" of AG1970 sold in PAL.

While the AG1970 and AG1980 have many things in common and look alike, there are significant internal differences. Aside from the more elaborate TBC/DNR, the AG1980/NV-FS200 use a completely different tape transport mechanism and power supply. Upon examining the insides of my own AG1970 (NV-FS-88?) and AG1980 (NV-FS200?), I find the head drums to be similar but not identical. One has an additional piece mounted on top that the other doesn't. While both models use the higher-grade "DynAmorphous Metal Heads", they may not use exactly the same drum. You'll need to consult a competent technician, unfortunately I do not know any in your country to recommend.

Note that SVHS vcrs are prone to certain defects not seen in less sophisticated VHS models. If an older SVHS unit is handled roughly or shipped, minor electrical shorts or circuit board solder cracks can occur which result in horizontal lines that look much like mistracking or dirty heads. Also the horizontal lines may indicate a need for simple alignment, not new heads. Only a technician can tell you for sure.

[Lodovico]

I recently got a Panasonic HS-960 and the picture quality was awful compared to our old NV-FS88. Cleaned the heads etc, but the picture was very noisy and less detailed in comparison.

My 960 (bought in near-mint condition) also produces a slightly noisy image but a very detailed one. I get the impression that the noise is the price paid for the extra detail in this model. The captures I get from it look "rawer" than those from most of my other S-VHS machines. It's not a VCR I'd choose if I wasn't willing to spend time doing some careful post-processing on the capture.

[Quasipal]

Concerning the sharp lines you see, do check the anti-static brush mounted on the top of the head. I can give more details if you need on this. To sum up. I had one Panasonic VCR that was not draining the static away from the head and it gave sharp white random spikes on the screen. I cleaned the carbon brush and part where the brush touches with spirit and it resolved the issue. If you can, take a photo of the spikes and I may be able to help diagnose.

[zeroprobe]

Thanks for the info guys.

Here is a link to a capture I made which shows you what is happening.

http://www.theoatcake.com/fs200.zip

[victoriabears]

I think thats a tape issue, try winding it back and forwards a few times.

Does it occur on another vcr?

I fixed a problem like that by daisy chaining some vcr's together, I have a lot of UK equipment including two (!) FS200's that work great.
Even thought the bozzo who sold me one form the UK "protected" it with two scrunched up pieces of brown paper and called that proper packing and one of the decorative sides was broken off. He then blamed the courier !

I also have a 930 and a nv121(The last model made I think) and they produce a noisy image but the JVC M100 DVD recorder I have cleans it up.
The JVC UK VCR;s I have with dnr/tbc often over process and produce macroblocks when used with the jvc dvd recorder.

[zeroprobe]

Yeh I've tried fast forwarding and rewinding. I don't get the lines on another VCR.

[Deter]

This is a great question. Had a few JVC high end decks they ran perfect, would not accept anything less than $500. Because I knew they are good VCR's and how rare they are. The AG units are a nightmare, they will not work correct. Have repaired these and sold a few and every one which was sold off was sold at a loss. My repair costs were higher than what people were willing to spend. In all fairness, because it is rare to find a perfect running AG 1980 unit, very few know how the machines are suppose to run, look and feel. A lot of these units will play different than the next. The JVC decks run pretty close to a uniform code even other model numbers. You also have a big difference from like the 7900 to the 9800. You also have two pro decks which are the same as the 7900. Like the 9500 vs the 9800 very little difference if any.