Yup that's a Hitachi-made VCR. Very similar to the Hitachi VT-11 and VT-14. Literally all of the late 70s-early 80s VCRs were built the same way with hinged circuit boards for ease of service. :)
A Hitachi VT-11 or very similar. My grandparents bought the Hitachi version in 1983, but being PAL it was a single speed SP only machine (4 hours max recording time). 4 hour tapes (E-240s) were very new in 1983, previously the max recording time had been 3 hours. An E-240 would be similar in physical tape length to the T-160 due to PAL-SP speed being slower than NTSC-SP (the E-180 being the same as the T-120). This was the VCR I remember using when I discovered you could copy the audio to a cassette tape directly from the RCA output on the front rather than a microphone close to the TV speaker. Also there's no specific AV input mode, it just switches when it detects something plugged into the AV IN sockets, which meant you could record the pictures from the TV tuner but add you own sound, as it didn't have audio dub to add new sound later, so it had to be done "live". The remote is slightly different as the buttons were larger and more spread out. Those decks have a clutch mechanism under the idler so if Rew/FF work but there's no take up in Play then it's the belt inside the clutch, as it switches over to bypass the belt during Rew/FF.
I have a Magnavox top load vcr and i’m really stuck. Can’t get playback or rewind but fast forward works. I changed the belts from the top but still not playing so i’m trying to access underneath and see the hinge circuit board but can’t get it to swing open at all. I’ve taken out every screen except now found the culprit the tracking wheel and front AV plugs are screwed into the circuit board that’s supposed to swing open. The screw is hidden so I have NO CLUE how to get the hinged circuit board open. Any ideas?
Hey probnot, I got a couple of questions and hope you reply: Does the 1979 RCA VCR require power to eject? Or if it's playing and the power goes out, does the tape get stuck?
There's an interlock that prevents it from ejecting if the tape is loaded (ie: when playing a tape, and also if it was playing and the power was disconnected). Once the tape is loaded fully back in the cassette, it can eject without power. So if power goes out during playback, you won't be able to eject. The interlock also engages during fast forward and rewind, but since fast forward and rewind shut off if power is disconnected, this is only active when it's powered on.
I just found your channel.... Your videos are great! Are you Canadian? Somewhere in Ontario or west of it? I'm from Ontario and you have a similar accent to the people here.
Hello my fellow Canadian, great video, helped me open the bottom of the vcr :) the belts are toast on mine, any idea where I could order a kit? Thanks so much!
I think SMC Electronics is the only place I know of that still sells VCR belts (Studio Sound discontinued their VCR parts). They're not being made any more, so I would check with them first to make sure the belts are in stock. Otherwise than that, I guess take a gamble on ebay and hope for the best.
I have a RCA VKP-950 with a similar issue. I installed new belts, pinch roller, and a new idler, but neither the supply nor pickup spindles will rotate reliably. Someone else had worked on it, and the supply spindle was missing a washer so it was too low (scraping on the frame.) I have no idea if the pickup spindle is the right height. Very frustrating. I really want to get it working, but I just can't get the idler to provide enough tension to get the spindles to turn. I've triple checked the set screw is nice and tight, so it's connected to the idler motor shaft firmly.
This deck is made by Matsushita Panasonic, there is 3 record speeds( SP,LP, and SLP/EP ) I ask me if linear audio head, is unique ( mono), ou double ( stereo or 2 differents audio mono )
I thought it was Matsushita at first too, but it's actually from when RCA started selling Hitachi-made VCRs for their non-portables. the mechanism inside is identical to similar aged Hitachis, and has some telltale signs, like the physical eject button. The linear head in this model will be mono, since the VCR doesn't support 2 audio tracks and the stereo audio head would have been more expensive.
Interesting, I assumed this was Panasonic built due to its age (and the flip-down circuit board), but it looks like the VJT series was the first to switch over to Hitachi. Also, I realized this particular unit was built in early '84 (though it was also around in '83) Which model Hitachi is it?
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Yup that's a Hitachi-made VCR. Very similar to the Hitachi VT-11 and VT-14. Literally all of the late 70s-early 80s VCRs were built the same way with hinged circuit boards for ease of service. :)
A Hitachi VT-11 or very similar. My grandparents bought the Hitachi version in 1983, but being PAL it was a single speed SP only machine (4 hours max recording time). 4 hour tapes (E-240s) were very new in 1983, previously the max recording time had been 3 hours. An E-240 would be similar in physical tape length to the T-160 due to PAL-SP speed being slower than NTSC-SP (the E-180 being the same as the T-120).
This was the VCR I remember using when I discovered you could copy the audio to a cassette tape directly from the RCA output on the front rather than a microphone close to the TV speaker. Also there's no specific AV input mode, it just switches when it detects something plugged into the AV IN sockets, which meant you could record the pictures from the TV tuner but add you own sound, as it didn't have audio dub to add new sound later, so it had to be done "live".
The remote is slightly different as the buttons were larger and more spread out. Those decks have a clutch mechanism under the idler so if Rew/FF work but there's no take up in Play then it's the belt inside the clutch, as it switches over to bypass the belt during Rew/FF.
got the same problem on an older model let's hope this works also how do you rough up the wheel? some sand paper and a very light rub?
I have a Magnavox top load vcr and i’m really stuck. Can’t get playback or rewind but fast forward works. I changed the belts from the top but still not playing so i’m trying to access underneath and see the hinge circuit board but can’t get it to swing open at all. I’ve taken out every screen except now found the culprit the tracking wheel and front AV plugs are screwed into the circuit board that’s supposed to swing open. The screw is hidden so I have NO CLUE how to get the hinged circuit board open. Any ideas?
RCA VJT VCR series were all 1983 models. VKT series were 1984. VJTs were the first ones made by Hitachi for RCA.
From what I've read, the VJT were the 1983 "model year" but were manufactured and sold in 1983 and 1984 - similar to cars.
Someone had put some VCRs out by the road and one of them was a top-loading VCR nothing digital on it and it looks very old like late 70s old.
Hey probnot, I got a couple of questions and hope you reply:
Does the 1979 RCA VCR require power to eject? Or if it's playing and the power goes out, does the tape get stuck?
There's an interlock that prevents it from ejecting if the tape is loaded (ie: when playing a tape, and also if it was playing and the power was disconnected). Once the tape is loaded fully back in the cassette, it can eject without power. So if power goes out during playback, you won't be able to eject.
The interlock also engages during fast forward and rewind, but since fast forward and rewind shut off if power is disconnected, this is only active when it's powered on.
@@probnotstech Hey man, thanks a bunch. I needed that info badly and this channel's a gold mine. Subscribed.
@@warmachine40k Glad I could help!
How do you connect it to the tv?
I just found your channel.... Your videos are great!
Are you Canadian? Somewhere in Ontario or west of it? I'm from Ontario and you have a similar accent to the people here.
Thanks, I just started this. And yeah, I'm from Manitoba, so good guess!
@@probnotstech oh cool. Hello neighbour!
I'm subscribed and will be watching more!
I can't tell between the difference of the American and Canadian accents. To me, they sound identical.
Hello my fellow Canadian, great video, helped me open the bottom of the vcr :) the belts are toast on mine, any idea where I could order a kit? Thanks so much!
I think SMC Electronics is the only place I know of that still sells VCR belts (Studio Sound discontinued their VCR parts). They're not being made any more, so I would check with them first to make sure the belts are in stock.
Otherwise than that, I guess take a gamble on ebay and hope for the best.
Appreciate it, thanks man I’ll check them out
I have a RCA VKP-950 with a similar issue. I installed new belts, pinch roller, and a new idler, but neither the supply nor pickup spindles will rotate reliably. Someone else had worked on it, and the supply spindle was missing a washer so it was too low (scraping on the frame.) I have no idea if the pickup spindle is the right height.
Very frustrating. I really want to get it working, but I just can't get the idler to provide enough tension to get the spindles to turn. I've triple checked the set screw is nice and tight, so it's connected to the idler motor shaft firmly.
You ever have any luck figuring it out?
@@gaaraman312 Unfortunately, no. I ended up getting another similar model VCR and transferring all the new parts I had purchased to that one.
I didn't have any flat belts, but I used flat rubber bands for the capstan motor and that motor is loud, I wonder if it would need to be oiled.
Definitely needs to be oiled.
One of my VCR’s has the same issue. I’ll give this fix a try.
This deck is made by Matsushita Panasonic, there is 3 record speeds( SP,LP, and SLP/EP )
I ask me if linear audio head, is unique ( mono), ou double ( stereo or 2 differents audio mono )
I thought it was Matsushita at first too, but it's actually from when RCA started selling Hitachi-made VCRs for their non-portables. the mechanism inside is identical to similar aged Hitachis, and has some telltale signs, like the physical eject button.
The linear head in this model will be mono, since the VCR doesn't support 2 audio tracks and the stereo audio head would have been more expensive.
This VCR was fully made by Hitachi for RCA. Hitachi was second VCR manufacturer to offer 3 recording speeds too. Sharp was the third.
I have a front loading VCR with this Hitachi chassis. Also an RCA but stereo.
Interesting, I assumed this was Panasonic built due to its age (and the flip-down circuit board), but it looks like the VJT series was the first to switch over to Hitachi. Also, I realized this particular unit was built in early '84 (though it was also around in '83)
Which model Hitachi is it?
Where do you get the parts for your vcrs?
Not many places left, unfortunately. I've been told TurnTableNeedles has some of the belts these old VCRs use. I guess that and ebay.
@@probnotstech thanks for the advice. I'm trying to fix a betamax vcr myself and need to find a belt to replace.
I wish mine came with the remote.
I was super stoked that it did. I like having my VCRs complete, missing remotes bug me.