I hope you are going to do a series of videos. There is a group of students a TCNJ who are fascinated by the machine. I have forgotten everything I ever knew. I worked on the R and D of the disc player. It was so crushing when RCA abandoned the player in 1985. I was building a reputation as an expert on repairs. I had training for the 400 series that had computer control.
This is the original issue of the player. It was the most easily serviceable machine. 35 years ago I was trained to service this model at RCA Labs. We had 1500 employees. Many of them had players and we had a free lending library for employees. It was my primary position to keep about 600 machines running under the program. Then RCA abandoned the players discontinuing the sales. Needless to say I was out of a great job. On top of that GE took o er the company is a hostile take over. It was then I went to work for IBM.
I just got an RCA SFT 100 from an estate sale and am interested in learning about these. This video looks to be super helpful. My machine sporadically plays a black and white picture. Sounds like the starting point would be replacing the platter, any idea where I’d get the part from?
Jist picked up this exact model, im very new to the format and im kind of lost. Played doesnt make any funny noises disc loads up fine but i never get any video or audio? Stylus seems to be in good condition so im not sure where to start an attempted repair. Any help would be great! Thanks
The players all have coaxial outputs and the stereo models have the composite, RCA jacks people like to call them. Some modern TV's don't have either of these hookups anymore so it would depend on your model of television.
@@ketonicdude thanks for answering my question we never had this sort of technolgy when I was a kid we had VHS tapes I have a blu ray player today and its connected to my HDTV
So the F/G models use 2 belts, a Servo belt for advancing the stylus arm and a turntable belt to get the platter up to speed so the sync plates can take over. The turntable belt rarely needs to be changed, the servo belt needs to be changed almost every time. Unfortunately the belt that RCA used had a concave design which is no longer manufactured. So I offer a kit that comes with a smaller belt and small plastic washers. The washers and smaller belt design prevent it from riding up the motor shaft and get stuck along the wall of the mounting bracket. I offer both the servo belt kit and turntable belt for sale on my website cedatum.com or if you would like measurements of the original belts they can be found here, cedmagic.com/tech-info/belt-replacement-guide/belt-specs.html
I assume that the F/G players are the first generation CED machines, while the J/K is the second generation, is this correct? As a newcomer to the format, which series would you recommend over the other?
The F line was the first to come out, then the G line with stereo models, then the J line with auto loading players and K line was last. F/G & J were all being produced around the same time, then K came out last, around 1984. I personally prefer the J line myself, the 90 and 100 are intro level mono players, the 200 added stereo, the 300 added a remote, and the 400 was the top of the line with interactive capabilities on a few select discs. The SJT400 would have to be my preferred player as I feel the J/K players are the easiest to work on and maintain. The F/G models have a lot of moving parts that all have to function properly to get a well working player, there is a lot more that can go wrong. Hope that helps.
@@ketonicdude Thank you, this helped quite a bit. I've been searching for a used one forever, but I only find them for $100 or more, and I'm not sure I want to pull the trigger when they might have a bad stylus or something else going on.
Rainbow effect is caused by improper turntable speed. Typically on a F/G player you can re-lubricate the turntable shaft and it will resolve the issue. But it could also need a thrust plate adjustment or the platter may have lost it's magnetism over time. Sometimes the belt can create drag as well if it's too worn out. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions, videodiscjunkie@gmail.com thanks.
Hello Jim, it's a pleasure to meet you. I always enjoy hearing from former employees. Another former employee, John Stevens, perhaps you knew him, he used to service the styli. Unfortunately he ran out of spare parts, mainly diamond tips, and then he passed away taking all his knowledge with him. It was a major loss for the format. We have a good understanding of how a rebuild could be done through the RCA Review and we have another former employee from the Stylus department. But the equipment that would be necessary to rebuild a stylus just doesn't exist, nor do we have the spare parts. So unfortunately that is going to be the downfall of the format as a stylus typically runs about $150 on up right now and it's only going to get worse as they get more rare. But as far as the machines go I am working my best to provide as many parts as I can and whatever assistance is necessary. If you are still in the NJ area we do have several members from the CED Magic community that would love to meet with you if you would like to see a player in operation again. Feel free to contact me at videodiscjunkie@gmail.com for further information. Thanks. -Josh
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I hope you are going to do a series of videos. There is a group of students a TCNJ who are fascinated by the machine. I have forgotten everything I ever knew. I worked on the R and D of the disc player. It was so crushing when RCA abandoned the player in 1985. I was building a reputation as an expert on repairs. I had training for the 400 series that had computer control.
Great video man, very useful
Nice job….very helpful😊
This is the original issue of the player.
It was the most easily serviceable machine. 35 years ago I was trained to service this model at RCA Labs. We had 1500 employees. Many of them had players and we had a free lending library for employees. It was my primary position to keep about 600 machines running under the program. Then RCA abandoned the players discontinuing the sales. Needless to say I was out of a great job. On top of that GE took o er the company is a hostile take over. It was then I went to work for IBM.
In 1994 the spinning magnet rim was not a problem. Most of the time it was he belt. Extreme wear wasn’t seen then.
I just got an RCA SFT 100 from an estate sale and am interested in learning about these. This video looks to be super helpful. My machine sporadically plays a black and white picture. Sounds like the starting point would be replacing the platter, any idea where I’d get the part from?
Nice informative video, thank you👍
Helpful video. Thanks!
I need more videos like this
When I get mine taken apart I need to try to clean the caddy track too. It's got a nasty crunchy feel when you load them
Jist picked up this exact model, im very new to the format and im kind of lost. Played doesnt make any funny noises disc loads up fine but i never get any video or audio? Stylus seems to be in good condition so im not sure where to start an attempted repair. Any help would be great! Thanks
I like old technology we never had this type of stuff when I was a kid quick question can those be connected to a modern TV
The players all have coaxial outputs and the stereo models have the composite, RCA jacks people like to call them. Some modern TV's don't have either of these hookups anymore so it would depend on your model of television.
@@ketonicdude thanks for answering my question we never had this sort of technolgy when I was a kid we had VHS tapes I have a blu ray player today and its connected to my HDTV
Can you provide the belt measurements please? Or a source for replacement belts Thank you !
So the F/G models use 2 belts, a Servo belt for advancing the stylus arm and a turntable belt to get the platter up to speed so the sync plates can take over. The turntable belt rarely needs to be changed, the servo belt needs to be changed almost every time. Unfortunately the belt that RCA used had a concave design which is no longer manufactured. So I offer a kit that comes with a smaller belt and small plastic washers. The washers and smaller belt design prevent it from riding up the motor shaft and get stuck along the wall of the mounting bracket. I offer both the servo belt kit and turntable belt for sale on my website cedatum.com or if you would like measurements of the original belts they can be found here, cedmagic.com/tech-info/belt-replacement-guide/belt-specs.html
Just bought this model, mine will take the disc but will not give any picture or audio. Still trying to figure it out.
I’ve got a RCA selectavisionthe door where out discs won’t open all the way..any videos on how to open fix?
That would be a Cam alignment issue, I don't have a video yet but Tony does, th-cam.com/video/tvzgetbdeWk/w-d-xo.html
Can u help me out with low audio on mine
I assume that the F/G players are the first generation CED machines, while the J/K is the second generation, is this correct? As a newcomer to the format, which series would you recommend over the other?
The F line was the first to come out, then the G line with stereo models, then the J line with auto loading players and K line was last. F/G & J were all being produced around the same time, then K came out last, around 1984. I personally prefer the J line myself, the 90 and 100 are intro level mono players, the 200 added stereo, the 300 added a remote, and the 400 was the top of the line with interactive capabilities on a few select discs. The SJT400 would have to be my preferred player as I feel the J/K players are the easiest to work on and maintain. The F/G models have a lot of moving parts that all have to function properly to get a well working player, there is a lot more that can go wrong. Hope that helps.
@@ketonicdude Thank you, this helped quite a bit. I've been searching for a used one forever, but I only find them for $100 or more, and I'm not sure I want to pull the trigger when they might have a bad stylus or something else going on.
I put in a new stylus but I still have rainbow colors off and on in the movies. What can cause this? Thank you
Rainbow effect is caused by improper turntable speed. Typically on a F/G player you can re-lubricate the turntable shaft and it will resolve the issue. But it could also need a thrust plate adjustment or the platter may have lost it's magnetism over time. Sometimes the belt can create drag as well if it's too worn out. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions, videodiscjunkie@gmail.com thanks.
Is there still a source for styli?
Hello Jim, it's a pleasure to meet you. I always enjoy hearing from former employees. Another former employee, John Stevens, perhaps you knew him, he used to service the styli. Unfortunately he ran out of spare parts, mainly diamond tips, and then he passed away taking all his knowledge with him. It was a major loss for the format. We have a good understanding of how a rebuild could be done through the RCA Review and we have another former employee from the Stylus department. But the equipment that would be necessary to rebuild a stylus just doesn't exist, nor do we have the spare parts. So unfortunately that is going to be the downfall of the format as a stylus typically runs about $150 on up right now and it's only going to get worse as they get more rare. But as far as the machines go I am working my best to provide as many parts as I can and whatever assistance is necessary. If you are still in the NJ area we do have several members from the CED Magic community that would love to meet with you if you would like to see a player in operation again. Feel free to contact me at videodiscjunkie@gmail.com for further information. Thanks. -Josh