Panasonic VHS Tape Path Alignment

Procedure using a scope to align the tape path on a Panasonic PV-V4522 VHS HiFi recorder.

[@GoldSrc_]

Thank you, I had forgot how to connect the scope, I knew about the RF but I had forgot about using the switching pulse as well. Thanks.

[@jr-pl9kj]

actually that vcr doesn't look too bad in its design especially with the unique forward capstan and drop behind the tape pinch roller mechanism. i've always wondered if there's a way to decode the model numbers of vcrs to figure out what vcrs have that particular design vs the typical conventional type.

[@hawleygriffon9290]

I guess this won't work with Beta decks as those had not autotracking until the last models produced (the SLHF2000 as I recall). Tried this on my SLHF860 and even then, it could be that the tapes are just too old. No go. So, I will try this with some wonky tapes on my JVC HRS-3910U. Also, a heads up if you are in Canada, The Source clearanced the Nexxtech desoldering braid for 96 cents. Very handy to have for these repair projects...

[@tewe954]

Hello and thank you very much for this tutorial. I have a really wierd issue and no experience with that topic. I have an LG VCR which has a clear picture at playing older recordings. New recordings from this LG play perfect on another LG VCR, BUT NOT on the LG which recorded the tape. Recording and playing inside one recorder (the first one) shows a flickering image in the top half of the picture. I tried to adjust the alignment, but it didnˋt get better. Do you have any suggestions on what to do? Thanks a lot in advance!

[@alanwong3980]

Hi there, can you show where is the screw we can adjust for tape path alignment? I cannot see any screw on the guide.

[@shaun9107]

Looking at the screw heads there is no seal ,so I re-aline the head and then use super glue to stop the head from going of agian .I cannot use a scope .,

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

8:04 tape is good , its what wowed you if you saw , return of the jedi in Dolby Stereo A type , THX and the steadycam of that speeder bikes done by the guy

[@speedyboishan87]

Hi i have a round silver metal disc like 2 cut U's i found it inside my VCR loose but do not know where it has come off from it is attached to plastic and has a spring i am not if sure if would cause any damage not having it attached, please help as i am lost and unsure where it goes, Thanks

[@mrmagnetoscope]

I don't think these Panasonic are that cheap. They are made with cheap parts, but it's still a VCR that plays tapes and records fine.

[@AustinIsSoTheMan]

Mr Magnétoscope and since the parts are so cheap they are easy to fabricated with 3D. Printing

[@68pishta68]

where were the tape guides you adjusted? Check out a Funai/Brocksonic....its was 79 bucks when it was sold in 92. later ones were literally a transport on a SMD board with about 5 passives. We didnt repair them, we just gave them a new one. Polar opposite would be a JVC HR-S8000U S-VHS. That tank has about 7 layers of PCB's with hundreds of passives. you cant even see the transport when you open it. I bought it because it has adjustable Hi-Fi level meters and makes damn near perfect 20-22K .008% audio recordings.

[@TheVCRKing]

Funai never built Broksonic VCRs.

[@patricknedz]

I have this VCR but its the PV-P4523S looks the exact same only its silver. It does kinda feel cheaply built but I think it works decently well, I like this one. I will say though the older panasonic is built better than the laster models, 2004 model was the worst of them all.

[@jessemiller2335]

if i can remember, at some point another company was making the mechanical parts for panasonic, it’s not a name brand company either.. 2002 sounds pretty late so i’m guessing this wasn’t panasonic made

[@kasimirhauptman2717]

Wow very interessting - this model looks almost identical to the JVC HR-S9600 I just bought for a lot of money in order to restore my S-VHS-C collection...While cleaning it i noticed everything inside looked cheap af. All 1 board, all the parts cheap plastic (exactly like shown in the video), no seperate power supply etc. I wonder why the HR-S9600 is recommended in so many forums ... and thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@12voltvids]

Because it is a late model unit and didn't have the comb filter module failure of earlier units. They may be better built, but when sme caps puke on a ceramic board module that is all sealed up and the part is not available, that more robust mechanism does you no good at all. The late model units also had the best signal processing circuits compared to earlier models. I have an hrs9911 I use for svhs tapes. Looks like a joke inside but plays amazing.

[@bc9477]

Yh even though I have pro vcrs. This one is perfectly fine or it was perfectly fine for people with basic CRTs and weren't video junkies..

[@wx4newengland]

I have a unit from 2000- and one from 2003- 2003 which looks like this example only had slightly worse pictures.

[@pauldejesus9644]

what tool do you use to adjust tape alignment

[@volkerking5757]

if the HF-Paket from the 2 Heads are in the near same Amplitude the Picture on both Frames will be good. That mean that a other person disaligned the Position from the Band in (left side) and from the band out side (right side).

[@12voltvids]

Volker King This was a created fault. I misaligned the machine sly for the purpose f demonstrating the process of aligning the tape path, however they do go of alignment on their own. Usually it is the lock set screw, over years f heating cooling, and the stress of the guides wanting to turn as the tape is running around them.. I am ging to be thinking up some other faults to demonstrate in future videos. I generally try to make videos of actual faults that I am diagnosing, but a few of the VCR videos, I simulated the repair by causing the mechanical alignment and then I can show the procedure to get it back up and running.

[@hawleygriffon9290]

Yes, this would be great to do on one of your old beta decks. I finally found a service manual for the SLHF-950EU which is mechanically identical to the NTSC SLHF-750 I have (the manual has PAL and SECAM specs). To adjust the tracking requires adjusting at least 3 screws along the tape path. Might be difficult to do without a scope. I hope you are up to the task. I want to make mine so it will track all my old tapes I got from Japan back in the 1980s recorded in X3 speed and won't track in the refurbished SLHF-450 I acquired.

[@danho1904]

Thanks Dave on adjustment on the Guide Posts. Are you using a regular straight blade screw driver ? When I use a nirmsl strsight blade screw driver the blade cannot sit across the SLOT . How do you turn the post top ?

[@12voltvids]

I use a small slot just turn the edge. Some units use a hex key.

[@laceynes]

Hi, i am hoping with your experience you can give me some insight what is wrong with my unit, I have a panasonic vmr ez48v combo unit.. give you some background it stopped working all together no power, after several searches i bought a parts unit and replaced the power board, Wow i was so happy it turned on but now i can't get pass this Code F04, now i will tell you i had to remove the VCR unit and the DVD unit to get to the power board.. I think from what I an seeing on my searches it is related to the VCR, do you think you could help me... Please...

[@manixpc]

Great demo. I have the same unit and have he same problem where cassettes get kicked out 75% of the time. The cassette will get stuck right before it's supposed to go down and the VCR is supposed to load the tape. After a few seconds it spits it out. Any suggestions on how to fix that?

[@12voltvids]

+manixpc There was a problem with some of the front loaders where the plastic lever that releases the lock button on the right side of the tape doesn't depress the button far enough to release the tape lit lock. As such it sticks just at the point where the tape should drop, and the mechanism reverses and micks the tape out.There was an improved spring that was changed out to solve this problem.

[@samaltimedia]

Panasonic VHS Tape Path Alignment panasonic nv-fj730 please help

[@speedyboishan87]

What happens if you use a plasma or hd tv to adjust the alignment hear it can get difficult a CRT TV is more reliable.

[@austinthevhsvideogamelover5265]

I found a vcr like this but it squeaks loud when you insert it and eject it and it eats tapes. The mode switch is bad on it i can tell.

[@kittyfanatic1980]

hey is that scope an old lab volt(leader) by chance? i got a 20 mhz solid state one i gave up on getting it to work perhaps you can give me a pointer??? also how do you align an older panasonic omnivision from 1987 that works on most tapes but a few select vids it refuses to track?

[@12voltvids]

geoffrey walker That scope is an Iwatsu.if your machine is able to track up tapes made n other machines, and will play recordings made long ago on it, but not newly recorded tapes,(however those new tapes will play fine on other machines) that is a sign of worn heads.

[@infinitecanadian]

I've seen a lot of VCRs that looked like that. About as bare bones as you can get with a VCR. By the way, I thought you should know that your company logo is visible enough to be guessed at at around the 5:00 mark.

[@infinitecanadian]

@Kyng Jeffery That's great, but I watch things like these more often than movies, TBH.

[@whitelion7976]

If you have a problem using a lightweight camera on a Steadicam why not create a weight adaptor so when it is with the camera you use the weight matches the old camera. Must have been heavy 35mm camera.

[@carib400]

Sir my Panasonic vcr is in standby mode it’s not powering on when we press vtr switch only the standby mode is glowing

[@rickgreen9619]

I'd like to see exactly what you are hooking the scope leads to inside the vcr.

[@12voltvids]

They are connected to the head amp rf output and the head switch signal. Every VCR is different except Sony. They used a standard across all the models. VHS beta 8mm, same place. 5 pin header on the head preamp. Pin 3 is rf and pin 5 switching.

[@AdolfoMelilli]

hello, I have a Panasonic NV-SJ216 VCR, it's an old anc chip one that looks similar to the one in your video...power supply section in the left side, tuner in the right side... it is completely out of alignment, How can I locate the RF test point? I can't find any writing or marking that can help if you have an image ,. or a drawing of the test point, please email me ..thankyou...

[@Filmaker25]

can we get a review from ya ... "sure your machine is the worst ever designed , it's crap " lol Ah Im glad you pointed out why the Scope display looks like its gyrating .

[@12voltvids]

I tell it as I see it I'm gonna be reviewing another power station Maybe tomorrow we'll see how that 1 looks inside

[@Zestypanda]

What would cause it to become unaligned?

[@12voltvids]

+Zestypanda VCRs are mechanical, and just the loading and unloading operation would cause lock screws to come loose, and then the guides just screw down, and the alignment goes out. The tape is pulling on the guide as it runs over it. On JVC they press fit the guide bases together and they would work their way loose. It was a very common problem.

[@kingshearer2]

Quick question; I was playing a mono tape tonight and all of a sudden the sound became muffled. I chucked a stereo tape in and the sound is fine. I had this problem once before and it fixed itself. I cleaned the audio head and there's no change. Is there a point on the audio head where the mono pickup is and it could be a possible allignment problem or is it likely to be the way the vcr processes the mono sound so possibly a circuit problem or something else? It's annoying I was enjoying the movie. cheers and love your vids.

[@12voltvids]

kingshearer2 The linear stereo (mono compatable) is recorded along the top edge of the tape. It is 1mm wide. If the audio head gets dirty it can affect the sound. If the top edge of the tape is creased it will affect the linear sound. The hifi track on the other hand uses the full width of the tape like the video. It is actually recorded under the video to a deeper layer of tape.

[@kingshearer2]

Thanks for that, the tape is fine since it sounds good on one of my other vcr's. I've cleaned the head and it improved it a little bit, does any of the circuitry effect the linear sound?

[@12voltvids]

kingshearer2 Check for worn pinch roller. Could be pulling tape slightly down as it plays slightly off the audio head slightly.

[@kingshearer2]

I've just cleaned the audio head (focusing on the top end) with a lint free cloth in a horizontal motion and it seems to have fixed the problem - for now! I'll try a few more mono tapes over the next few days and see if the problem comes back. I'll make a note of your pinch roller suggestion and will have a look at that next time I take the cover off. Cheers again.

[@12voltvids]

kingshearer2 I just use a q tip soaked in ipa and yes the audio is right at the top of the head. The bottom is the control track.

[@dariokennedy481]

Hello. Your videos are great! Do you know how to coordinate an Hitachi VCR. It's from the late 90s. The problem is when i turn on the machine it turns off instantly, because of the mechanism tries to start and gets stuck instantly. Thank you

[@12voltvids]

Probably the loading belts are slipping

[@dariokennedy481]

12voltvids I will check. Thank you very much

[@KylesDigitalLab]

Can you film a video like this using a camera that doesn't suffer from a rolling shutter? I just picked up an Iwatsu 5710 60MHz scope for a good deal, and I'm planning to use it for tape path alignment on a Sony SLV-780HF. I know where the RF signal is and the switching/trigger signal are located, but I don't have any probes yet, got some from eBay. I've just been messing with it, plugging my Sony camera into the BNC input (it has 4 channels) and displaying color bars on the scope.

[@12voltvids]

They all have rolling shutter these days. Unless I want to go back to CCD camera with interlaced video. Prefer that?

[@MarceloJavierMazaLuparia]

@12voltvids A friend is selling a used Panasonic AG4700 (PAL). He asks 10usd for it. No video signal. Would you think it could be a good bargain and a easy fix?

[@12voltvids]

From my experience all those Panasonic ag series industrial machines had many issues.

[@speedyboishan87]

What tool are you using I used a flat head screw driver but find it difficult as it comes off the guides, I hit the heads with a screw driver it did not do any damage as it hit the circuit board and not the heads power switched off soon afterwards. It's working but I get half the picture what should I use to adjust the guides used a thin flat head screw driver but it does not grip well, please advise.

[@12voltvids]

Flat head screwdriver. That's all i use.

[@speedyboishan87]

@@12voltvids Hi I still get a fuzzy picture how can I resolve this so picture is clean tried many times adjusting the guides still no luck cleaned the heads still get half a picture, please assist.

[@speedyboishan87]

Hi i have a hi8 camcorder it does not show image only once pause has been pressed, though it's fuzzy in pause mode, what could be the problem...

[@12voltvids]

Most likely surface mount capacitor issues which plagued all those old camcorders.

[@dipakbhalodia7155]

How to conect location at test point in VHS Another vhs other Brad how to find cro prob your conect videos out put location conect

[@gabiudrea1604]

hi, I want to buy a cheap oscilloscope only for this kind of alignment, what do you recommend? is a 2 channel 20MHz enough? thank you!

[@12voltvids]

10 is enough.

[@gabiudrea1604]

@@12voltvids Great, and can you also tell me the testpoints (SW and RF) for a Panasonic NV-HS900?

[@12voltvids]

@@gabiudrea1604 have no idea

[@gabiudrea1604]

can you post another tutorial that shows how to fine adjust the tape path to obtain a perfect still picture with no noise. thank you.

[@AndersonRosa1991]

Hello ! Are you alright ? Please. I need a service manual for this equipment. Or I need tips. So far I have not found any relevant help. I have a friend who tried to help me, but he also has no diagram. This unit has normal audio but no picture. The picture appears distorted as if it were TBC problem, RF, as a TV out of sync or tune. This is an AG1960 and I really want to fix it.

[@NunYa953]

Did you clean the heads? Some details would be quite helpful.

[@AndersonRosa1991]

I think it's the TBC board. But I do not know what the TBC of this VCR is.

[@NunYa953]

@@AndersonRosa1991 Why would you think it's the TBC? Personally, you might be over thinking this. 99.9% of the time it's something simple. Start simple. Check cables, connections, then clean the heads, then start inspecting solder connections

[@Zestypanda]

Sorry. To address my first comment. I posted "What's the pile of blur? A dead body?" To which you replied "what blur?" I had deleted my comment because I realised you had explained it in the video. The blur was you censoring your job logo.

[@TheOriginalKellyLynnAnderson]

I have that exact model, but it was mono.

[@12voltvids]

You mean you have a similar mono model!

[@TheOriginalKellyLynnAnderson]

@@12voltvids Yep, the model number of that one was PV-V4022. But the stereo version was PV-V4522.

[@12voltvids]

@@TheOriginalKellyLynnAnderson Panasonic did that on many models over the years.

[@TheBocvp]

So, what would be your recommendation for a better machine? Don’t just trash someone’s choice if that’s all they can afford!

[@12voltvids]

Whatever works. The machines are getting few and far these days. The recent vintage are the best. The early 80s vintage have so many issues. People think that older is better. Not true when it comes to vcrs. The old ones had many more component and points if failure. The last generation has more plastic but were generally very reliable if you didn't abuse them but doing silly thkngsime sticking alsop wet tape cleanses in them which had habit of jamming and breaking plastic parts.

[@ll6760]

omg what will technician's repair in 20 years...

[@12voltvids]

One word NOTHING. That being said, if people don't get their old VHS / Beta and 8mm video tapes transferred to digital soon they won't be able to play them. Unlike the movie film that preceded video tape that lasts for decades, video tape is not permanent. Not only will the tape deteriorate but the machines to play them are failing, and with no new source of machines, the only machines to play them are all very old now. Nobody is entering the repair field. I got out in 2003 when I could see the writing on the wall, and retrained for a totally different and growing field. I work in telecom now, and spend my days pulling wire and fiber optics, and provisioning equipment. I only work on electronics now as a hobby, and supplement my income with the revenue that these videos generate, through advertising which is moderate. All the money I make from advertising and donations allows me to purchase projects that I build on camera. The Vacuum tube amps for example. Combined those were about 1,500.00, and now I have Nixie Tube and Numitron clocks on the way, which are also expensive kits. Funding from the channel also allowed me to upgrade to 4K cameras. It all goes back into the channel. 100% of what I make is rolled back into the channel. Much of the equipment I tear down and work on I have to buy. A few pieces are donated, but most of the stuff I find at 2nd hand shops.

[@jamesregister3734]

Use zoom more .on VCR not scope.

[@ll6760]

I was born in the 60's but this technology is obsolete dude if u have fun to repair those old piece of shit I get it, but this is just something from the past what will be forgotten.

[@12voltvids]

L L I too was born in the early 60's. I am fully aware that tape technology is obsolete. I have been tapeless in my production facility for over 10 years. I was non linear in my production facility in the mid 90's. the thing is many people still have vhs and beta machines, and have old tapes they want to play. I keep old machines running for archive work. I don't use tape myself. people ask to see these machines in action, and to see them overhauled, and I oblige them. then some a550le comes along and comes along and makes a stupid comment. viewers have requested to see old technology. the only way people can learn about this old stuff is by watching someone that knows the tech work on it. they don't teach this stuff anymore. now it is just toss it out and buy a new one. that poses a problem for someone with an old tape and no way to play it because you can't buy a new one.

[@kingshearer2]

VHS is like vinyl for film, it's much better than digital formats. You need to get the beter quality ex rental tapes though and not the mass produced retail tapes.

[@DrHaridasWorld]

Panasonic / National was the ever best VHS Players in the industry. I have a wide collection of VCRs of brands National, JVC, Sharp, Hitachi, Toshiba, Sony, Akai, etc. Among them National is still working with the perfect picture. Others are partially or almost dead. Sony is having the worse mechanical system.

[@infoupdater582]

Panasonic is the bad brand in Electronics, Panasonic VCR, Panasonic TV, and so on .that's among the worst cheap brands ever made.

[@12voltvids]

Actually that is incorrect. They made some dogs just like everyone else but most of their products were top quality especially their plasma TVs. My 2004 plasma still works great.

[@infoupdater582]

@@12voltvids I live in Canada I would say less than 10 percent of electronics are Panasonic in Canada, I am sure the same thing in the USA, because , we realized they make some bad quality products and we stopped importing any more Panasonic. That used to be a good brand, but it started to make cheap products during the 90s and 2000s for low incomes people.

[@12voltvids]

@@infoupdater582 I worked for a Panasonic dealer for 20 years. They had very good products. Their tvs were solid as was their vcrs. The brands we had the most trouble with were rca, sharp, Toshiba, jvc, and sony. Their vcrs were relatively good for many years. Their plasma TVs solid as a rock. I left the business in 2003 and all the manufactures were on a quality slide at that point in time. Those last couple of years I changed more playback transformers on expensive sony tvs than i can count. Sony picture tubes were popping like fuses. Sony projection sets were blowing convergence ic's and the coolant leaking out of the tubes. I saw what more Sony sets than panasonic and we sold tons, and I mean tons of Panasonic. Panasonic and sony were our major brands. We sold about 2 million a year in Panasonic and sony products from a small independent dealer. I still have my Panasonic microwave fro. 1987 and it is used every day. I have a 1988 Panasonic tv (crt) that has been sitting outside on my patio since 2009. I have 3 Panasonic dvd recorders all working. 6 Panasonic plasma sets, all working. The oldest from 2004. No dead columns (vertical lines) unlike my Samsung plasmas which all but 1 have vertical lines in the picture indicating a bad panel.

[@infoupdater582]

​@@12voltvids Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge, I was not even born yet in those days and I do not know much about brands, but you are an expert and worked for those companies for many years. I admire you and understand you and continuing to learn from your channel.

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

Late 70s-early 80s Panasonic VCRs are tanks. My 1979 NV-8600 (PV-1100 in North America) just blew a transistor in the capstan motor drive circuit today and a replacement cured the problem. It was the only part that required replacing after 41 years. All the other and usual problems were rubber parts-related (belts, pinch roller etc).