Re: S-VHS cassette recorders

On 05/01/2025 17:33, Cursitor Doom wrote:

On Sun, 5 Jan 2025 17:13:40 +0000, Jeff Layman wrote:
 

I recently came across an old S-VHS recorder in the loft. It's many
years since I had a look inside and after doing so again wondered if
these were the most complex domestic devices ever designed and
manufactured. This particular recorder was a JVC HR-S5000EK (rebadged in
the UK as a Ferguson FR39S). I bought it as an ex-demo machine in 1991.
The cassette motor inside has a date of 26 September 1988.
>
Some photos...
Main view after removing case:
<https://ibb.co/27FWL7j>
View after folding back main (video) board:
<https://ibb.co/T4PYj0V>
Close-up of a couple of added components on the video board (see below).
<https://ibb.co/X2bFpmS>
>
Some questions. Any idea what the two added "black boxes" are (one is
shown in the close-up)? They are 10mm square and 4 - 5mm high, with no
markings and appear to be made of hard rubber (not epoxy). This is a
close-up of where one of the black boxes on the video board would appear
(PCB in service manual from Elektrotanya). Basically it is above C23 and
to the left of Q35.
<https://ibb.co/t3n09WF>
>
Another puzzle involves the added resistor under IC3 (it is on a small
insulated pad. The colours aren't completely clear but it could be 18k
1%). On the board layout diagram something is shown as C178 where this
resistor appears, which is under the board where IC3 is. These mods
aren't shown in the service manual.
>
Finally, also shown on the PCB layout diagram is something designated
B55 (between IC3 and the PCB?). What might this be? Unfortunately the
whole service manual is an image and so not searchable. There are
several other "Bnn" designations on the video and other boards, but they
always seem to appear under an IC, between it and the PCB. Nothing in
the "Electrical parts list" is designated "Bnn". Is it just a link of
some sort?
>
The video recorder itself still plays back cassettes without problem,
although the remote control has long since disappeared. Of course, as
there are no analogue channels for it to record from it's of little use.
It is, however, remarkable that 30+ years-old tapes play without
apparent error, and it is even possible to read the day's text news and
information (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceefax>) on the S-VHS
cassettes.

 The engineering on the better ones (JVC made better ones) is impressive
for sure. Even if you can't record on it any more, you can still play old
tapes of your own and any you might pick up at boot fairs. Who knows what
you might find on them? Could be a fun hobby! I'm quite surprised the
belts haven't stretched or perished after all this time, though. Must have
used good quality rubber.

Might be interesting to see what's around at boot fairs - VHS tapes are often almost given away.
I've got to get a decent SCART cable as the old one came apart in my hands. I can use component (phono connectors) as well. But S-VHS recorders predate HDMI, and my newest (4-years old) Panasonic TV has only HDMI and component input. An older TV has SCART, component, and a 4-pin s-video input. I'm pretty sure that I no longer have a 4-pin cable! It seems that the older TV can also use the SCART input to detect S-VHS if the recorder generates a signal on pin 15. It probably did that, but I always used to connect via a 4-pin s-video cable with a much older CRT TV.
That HR-S5000EK stopped recording around 1998 and I replaced it with a new JVC HR-S8600EK. I also brought that down from the loft and it worked perfectly after I removed a cassette I'd left in it! It jammed up a bit when I first turned it on, but I eventually got it out. As far as I remember that machine was still recording well when I replaced it with a Panasonic DVD-RAM DMR55E recorder (also analogue only; no HDMI).
As you say, any rubber used must have been of exceptional quality as both machines have survived 12+ years in the loft with temperatures cycling from 0 to 40°C or more. By the way, I paid £699 for that ex-demo recorder in 1991 - the price for a new one was £999!
--
Jeff