Setting up SV-5000W to play an NTSC vhs tape

[Alan Taplow]

I've been playing around with the setup of a newly acquired SC-5000W all evening. Every time I put in a regular USA made VHS in NTSC format, when I hit play, it switches to PAL and shows garbage on the screen. I've tried every menu combination possible, and it still does this.

Page 29 of the manual says that in play system mode, there is a Case 1 which alternates input from Auto---> NTSC ---> PAL-M, and there is a Case 2, alternating between Auto,--->PAL--->SECAM--->MESECAM. Well, when I go to the play system option, my only choices showing are Case 2 choices ---- I can't seem to get it into the section which shows the Case 1 options.

Anyone have any experience with setting this up, please post your thoughts & contact me: ataplow@gmail.com

[hech54]

Do you mean a Samsung SV-5000W?

[DB83]

Replies only at the forum (as the Romans would say)

And, yes, it would help if you gave the full details of the VCR. The Samsung that my friend quotes does not concur page-wise with your comments.

Page 8 of that manual shows playback to be automatic depending on the tape inserted. The are two scenarios. A for recording and B for playback.

Also you should check for any NTSC playback option on your tv. These are not necessarily automatic.

[Alan Taplow]

Many thanks for commenting.
It is a Samsung SV-5000W which I just purchased on ebay. When I insert an NTSC tape, the input indicator on the front panel changes from NTSC to PAL, and then the play I get is sound but no picture.
So, using the remote, I first made certain the input system was set to NTSC, and then
I tried following these directions:
all no no avail, since it shows two cycle sequences. On the machine when I follow these steps, there is no way to access what they call Case 1, Auto---> NTSC ---> PAL-M, If I could somehow access this I think I'd solve my difficulty. All I get is the other sequence as a choice. That may be causing the machine to avoid NTSC and automatically switch to PAL as soon as I start an NTSC tape.

There must be something I should be hitting that I'm not, and I need help in discovering that.

Many thanks for any help you can render.

Alan

[hech54]

I don't understand.....why do you need this VCR to play NTSC tapes?
This machine is very similar to my old Aiwa converting VCR....playback is controlled by the front buttons.....if that doesn't work then it's broken.

[DB83]

Well as I said, that page does not appear in the manual for the same vcr that I downloaded earlier.

But I am also concerned by that graphic. PAL-M is NOT part of the UK broadcasting standard. The only time I have come across such machines is a friend of mine from Brazil which did use this for analogue tv .

Dare I ask where you sourced this VCR from via fleabay ?.

And actually, virtually ANY UK sourced PAL-I/vcr can play back a NTSC tape.

[Alan Taplow]

I got it primarily to convert an occasional PAL tape to NTSC so I could make a DVD for customers. http://preserve-your-memories.info
However, I expected to be able to universally use it to replace an aging NTSC VCR. It seems to only recognize or presents only the PAL format or the SECAM formats as options, and not automatically play an NTSC tape, even though the NTSC button is pushed on the output. The input indicator changes from NTSC to PAL every time I insert any tape.

Perhaps it is just defective, however I keep thinking that if I were able to bring up the "Case 1" selections on the selecting input menu, I'd be able to play the tapes I have and want.

[DB83]

Go to

http://tv.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/samsung/sv5000w.html

Compare your manual to this one (open as pdf)

BTW did you try the vcr on a PAL tape (apologies if you already said this) and did you set the vcr as I/B (for PAL) if such an option exists from the various menus (not the front panel)

[mazinz]

I own this deck (I'm in the US) and I can tell you on the main menu I have a "settings 1" and "settings 2" options. It does allow a manual or auto tape detection, however it can be overrode by pushing whatever output format you like on the front panel of the machine.

Based on what you had mentioned occurring with your deck detecting an NTSC tape as PAL and that the front panel output selection seems to be ignored tells me your deck is clearly defective in some way. If the seller had sold it as "as is", you're stuck. If not and they sold it as tested and working you have a case for it to be returned.

[DB83]

@mazinz

How does your manual compare to the one the OP illustrates to the one I linked to ?

[mazinz]

@mazinz

How does your manual compare to the one the OP illustrates to the one I linked to ?

If I could find the manual I could answer your question easily. My deck was also used. I was lucky in that it came from an inhouse production that had little use for the deck so it pretty much sat on a shelf. I can also swear it had the original manual like the one you had pointed to in the link ( since I recall reading it to learn of the decks functions mostly controlled by the remote and that the terms matched such as setting 1 and 2). The manual the OP was given seems to be a slightly broken quick run thing. I have nothing on my machine with a case 1 or 2.

To be frank the options are pretty basic and straight forward with the menu settings section for playback and output. Also as mentioned you can change anything at will while the tape is playing. Since the OP mentioned ntsc tapes being detected as pal would have been alarm number one for me. Alarm 2 would be the front panel being ignored when pushed.

[turk690]

to OP, I'd first start with a good PAL tape and verify that it plays it satisfactorily, then I will try a known good NTSC tape (verified on a separate NTSC-only machine). Defective tapes (with weak sync, among others) of either system will confuse the machine so a range of known good tapes should be tried first. This Samsung was extraordinary in its time when real-time, true field/frame conversion required a lot of then-expensive CPU and memory, so it will cut off unnecessary processing so as not to introduce unnecessary delays. You probably see only the PAL menu because it somehow detects, initially, PAL sync in the tape and took that as a cue to mute the NTSC menu (like it would have been if a tape initially had PAL recorded on it, then erased and NTSC recorded over), or it's a pre-recorded commercial NTSC tape with anti-copy pulses which confuse the VCR's NTSC detection capabilites.

[Alan Taplow]

Thanks to all who have responded. I have a customer who gave me several PAL tapes to convert to an NTSC DVD, and that function seems to be successful. However the tapes she gave me have a lot of snowy streaks, which I suspect is due to them being 10th generation copies. So I ordered a new PAL tape on ebay and then will be able to confirm whether or not the snowy streaks are due to her tapes, or whether it is caused by the player. If that plays well, then at least the machine is doing the main function I need & why I got it --- to be able to convert a customer's PAL tapes to an NTSC DVD. If it doesn't play well, then I'll probably attempt to return it, since the e-bay listing says it was fully functional.

I was sort of hoping I could also use it to play NTSC tapes and have it replace my aged NTSC player. Until I get my test PAL tape, I'm probably going to get on to other things for a bit, but then I want to try playing & converting an NTSC to PAL by piping the NTSC signal in from another player & see what happens. If anyone recognizes that Case 1 & Case 2 setup choice in the manual, & how I can access Case 1 which cycles thru NTSC & PAL & SECAM, please let me know. The machine seems stuck on Case 2, which has no NTSC option. I'll re-post when I get a chance to do some more fussing around. Thanks again, all ---- Alan

[jagabo]

the tapes she gave me have a lot of snowy streaks

Like this?


[Attachment 40143 - Click to enlarge]

Those are caused by a grounding problem in the SV5000. You can fix it temporarily by sanding where the grounding flange touches the head assembly. If you search you'll probably find some guides about it. Here's one example:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t151239-major_dropout

[mazinz]

To add to Jagabo's post (and who help me about two years back when I had the same comet issue shown in the post above concerning this vcr deck), you can also solder on and create a ground wire which should eliminate the need to sand the contacts down. Tomorrow night I can post pics of my deck with this procedure or at least let you know which screws to remove so you can access those damn contacts

[jagabo]

Yes, sanding the leaf spring is a short term fix. Soldering a ground wire is better long term solution.

[Alan Taplow]

No not tiny flashing streaks like in the above pictue, more like wide bands of snow intermittently going across the entire top half of the picture. vtech at another forum thread mentioned many instances of a cracked solder joints on the main pcb right underneath the connector for the cylinder motor. Said that due to the stress against the connector, it will eventually crack the ground tab and cause this. Suggests disassembling and resoldering that joint. I just printed out the service manual, after trying your suggestion, if that doesn't do it, will give this a try. Vtech's suggestion involves taking everything apart to get to the solder side of the board, which I'd like to avoid unless necessary.

Thanks loads to you and the others posting suggestions --- this is a fantastic forum with many more results than I ever expected.

[mazinz]

No not tiny flashing streaks like in the above pictue, more like wide bands of snow intermittently going across the entire top half of the picture. vtech at another forum thread mentioned many instances of a cracked solder joints on the main pcb right underneath the connector for the cylinder motor. Said that due to the stress against the connector, it will eventually crack the ground tab and cause this. Suggests disassembling and resoldering that joint. I just printed out the service manual, after trying your suggestion, if that doesn't do it, will give this a try. Vtech's suggestion involves taking everything apart to get to the solder side of the board, which I'd like to avoid unless necessary.

Thanks loads to you and the others posting suggestions --- this is a fantastic forum with many more results than I ever expected.

I still think it's the contact issue mentioned. At one pal to ntsc transfer I was doing , the whole screen was literally a comet and snow laden mess like the worst UHF channel you ever tried to tune in. It was that transfer which led me to look into the issue more because adding some slight pressure to the top of the vcr case made most of it go away. Will post pics later tonight

[mazinz]

Ok here you go-- This is my deck with the crude ground wire but it works.

This was from fixitforya with which screws you need to remove, though I think I only removed the larger 3 and nothing from the bottom

Your chassis ground is intermittant. Remove the VCR cover and look just behind the head drum. You will see two copper tangs sticking out, these supply the ground to the grey chassis and are a pressure fit. Remove the 7 screws from the grey chassis, two are underneath the VCR, two on top near the VHS tape opening, and three larger screws are on top of the chassis (2 near back and 1 near front). This will allow you to lift the grey chassis about a 1/2" and you can then reach below the copper tangs and gently pry them up. Reinstall the 7 screws and the VCR cover and the snow will disappear.

I used what would be equal to probably a 16-18 gauge generic electric wire on a spool you can get at radio shack. I still sanded the contacts as suggested and then soldered only one side with the wire contact. The other wire I kept stripped and just put it (with a washer) back into one of the larger screw holes on the back on the grey chassis (this was mentioned in one of the guides for proper ground) and that is pretty much it. Don't want to jinx anything but I no longer had any comets or screwed up snowy picture after this. Hope this helps. Its a pretty basic and easy procedure. I circled in black the main work area you are looking for

3 pics sorry for the larger size

[JVRaines]

No not tiny flashing streaks like in the above pictue, more like wide bands of snow intermittently going across the entire top half of the picture.

Check the rabbet (ledge where the tape rides) along the bottom of the video drum and make sure it's clean.