Replace VCR mechanicals?

[[email protected]]

Is it possible to replace just the mechanicals of a VCR? On my RCA
VR712HF, it requires only six screws and one small ribbon cable to
remove the entire tape transport system. Where can I buy this assembly?
Does anyone know the part number for it? This model of VCR is no longer
sold, but I love the way it automatically fast-forwards through
commercials. I also have a RCA VR708HF I would like to know about, too.
Thanks. Mike

 

[Beloved Leader]

General answer: if the transport comes out with the removal of six
screws and the disconnection of one ribbon cable, then it can be
replaced.

In theory.

The problem is that VCRs are a dead technology. No flames, please, I
was working on three or four of them last week. The odds that you could
actually buy a new transport unit are vanishingly small. You'd be
better off looking for another VCR like the one you have left out for
the trash. Either that or buy a new DVD player-VCR combination unit for
$79.99.

So my guess is that theoretically it can be done, but practically it's
not worth it. I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of it, as most
of what I do is a waste of time.

 

[Dave D]

Is it possible to replace just the mechanicals of a VCR? On my RCA
VR712HF, it requires only six screws and one small ribbon cable to
remove the entire tape transport system. Where can I buy this assembly?
Does anyone know the part number for it? This model of VCR is no longer
sold, but I love the way it automatically fast-forwards through
commercials. I also have a RCA VR708HF I would like to know about, too.
Thanks. Mike

If it were available, it would likely cost several times what you paid for
the whole VCR. My advice is forget it.

You don't say what's wrong with it, but you can usually get service kits to
replace high-wear items on VCRs, ie the takeup clutch, belts, tensioner,
pinch roller etc. That might be your best bet.

Dave

 

[PARAKEET]

[email protected] wrote in @g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Is it possible to replace just the mechanicals of a VCR? On my RCA
VR712HF, it requires only six screws and one small ribbon cable to
remove the entire tape transport system. Where can I buy this assembly?
Does anyone know the part number for it? This model of VCR is no longer
sold, but I love the way it automatically fast-forwards through
commercials. I also have a RCA VR708HF I would like to know about, too.
Thanks. Mike

uh-huh. what do you usually use the VCR for?

 

[Andy Cuffe]

Is it possible to replace just the mechanicals of a VCR? On my RCA
VR712HF, it requires only six screws and one small ribbon cable to
remove the entire tape transport system. Where can I buy this assembly?
Does anyone know the part number for it? This model of VCR is no longer
sold, but I love the way it automatically fast-forwards through
commercials. I also have a RCA VR708HF I would like to know about, too.
Thanks. Mike

This can be done, but only if you can find another similar VCR to get
the parts from. A replacement mechanism would be too expensive if it
was even available.

I've done this before when I've had a nice high end VCR with a badly
worn, or damaged mechanism and a similar low end VCR with a good
mechanism. It's usually much easier to repair the existing mechanism
than try to do a swap though.

I recently did this with a Sony SL-HF-900 4 head hi-fi Beta VCR that
had been worked on several times. The VCR worked, but it would not
align using the procedure in the service manual. I suspect the
mechanism base was warped, or some of the tape guides were worn, or
damaged. In the end I swapped it with the mechanism from a low end
SL-3030 2 head mono. It required swapping the drum and capstan motor
and changing a lot of cables that were different lengths. It was a
lot of work, but it aligned easily and has been working ever since.
Andy Cuffe

[email protected]

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the quick replies. Where would I look for the aforementioned
"service kits"? I realize that VCRs are passe, but these two models
automatically skip through most all commercials. That is a feature I
have not seen on DVRs. And I don't like paying the monthly fee
associated with Tivo. TIA.

 

[Doug]

what kind of problem are you having?
Doug

 

[[email protected]]

I've done this with a JVC, and a couple of "jellybean" makes, worked
every time. The alignment might be an issue but usually they are set up
pretty well in the factory.

-A

 

[b]

Thanks for the quick replies. Where would I look for the aforementioned
"service kits"? I realize that VCRs are passe, but these two models
automatically skip through most all commercials. That is a feature I
have not seen on DVRs. And I don't like paying the monthly fee
associated with Tivo. TIA.

commercial skip is in fact a feature found on many vcrs, just do a web
search for a used one or try ebay! save yourself the hassle.
-b

 

[Mark D. Zacharias]

Thanks for the quick replies. Where would I look for the aforementioned
"service kits"? I realize that VCRs are passe, but these two models
automatically skip through most all commercials. That is a feature I
have not seen on DVRs. And I don't like paying the monthly fee
associated with Tivo. TIA.

I've seen some of these commercial-skip RCA models develop a problem with
the soft-brake on the right side of the tape path. IIRC it causes the tape
to spool out in the tape path after a mode change. It's a real cheap part,
and pretty easy to replace. If this sound familiar - post back and I can
research it for you. It seems to relate to the commercial skip models becase
they shuttle the tape back and forth so much.


Mark Z.

 

[[email protected]]

The most common problem I've had is that during rewind, the tape motor
seems to bog down. Sort of like a car trying to climb a steep hill in
too high a gear. Eventually it will slow to a stop. I thought the belt
was slipping, but it seems to be okay. Again, thanks to all who have
responded with good advice.

 

[Jumpster Jiver]

This can be done, but only if you can find another similar VCR to get
the parts from. A replacement mechanism would be too expensive if it
was even available.

I've done this before when I've had a nice high end VCR with a badly
worn, or damaged mechanism and a similar low end VCR with a good
mechanism. It's usually much easier to repair the existing mechanism
than try to do a swap though.

I recently did this with a Sony SL-HF-900 4 head hi-fi Beta VCR that
had been worked on several times. The VCR worked, but it would not
align using the procedure in the service manual. I suspect the
mechanism base was warped, or some of the tape guides were worn, or
damaged. In the end I swapped it with the mechanism from a low end
SL-3030 2 head mono. It required swapping the drum and capstan motor
and changing a lot of cables that were different lengths. It was a
lot of work, but it aligned easily and has been working ever since.
Andy Cuffe

[email protected]

Hey Andy,
I have a SL-HF900 Clone with a Pioneer Badge on the front sitting in my
basement. It's in bad shape - very abused, and not worth repair because
it looks like it was thrown out of a moving car.
Could you use any specific parts for one of these.
I'm planning on going through my Beta pile soon and fix or sell everything.