Restoring the Philips FW68 mini Digital Compact Cassette Set

[@andrekleyn727]

What a mountain load of stripping and resembling. Mamma Mia! But worth it. All manufacturers followed this all in one approach. What would have been better if this system were separate components. But at the end of the day it works faultless like a new one. Well done. You are the master of repairs 😉

[@super-gerald]

Great stuff! I've seen lots of the high-end DCC equipment but never seen any DCC bookshelf system. Very interesting!

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

I just got one, in mint condition. I opened it up, using this video, which is essential for that 🤣. Needs belt replaced, especially the small square one. of the cassette mechanism. Will have to order this from somewhere. Looks like a very nice unit, and I'm happy with it!

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

So, I have restored it fully. Everything works beautifully. Display back-lit works. CD works. Belt replaced. Tuner works and has great sensitivity. The amplifier works. I especially like the sound enhancements surprisingly. When using the corresponding speakers, the sound is just great. Even spatial, it surprised me positively, even when using headphones it really enhances the depth. And I am NOT a fan of all these gimmicks. The Analogue deck gave me some more problems, but now it fully works and even records beautifully. The DCC deck also works like a charm. All belts replaced and pinch roller. Polished. Cleaned. It was mint, and now it also works like new. Very happy with it, love it very much.

[@AidenBazaar]

Nice video. I have FW46.

[@northernplacecorporation]

This came with the "Digital Cassette Challenge" DCC-ACC combo pack.

[@oldgamecafe]

That system is almost a myth, hard to find, is the first time i watch a video about it, thanks for share.

[@buretehudesi]

I remember in the 90s I spotted an emty box after FW68 on my neighbours yard. Im sure he didnt even known what the dcc was and was useing it as a normal compact cassette player. I might be wrong but back then wery few people knew what dcc was.

[@JacGoudsmit]

Were there ever any other officially released DCC players with a conventional "vertical" mechanism like this one? Other than the ones released by the Japanese brands of course. I love this mini set, I wanted to buy one around the time of the demise of DCC, to put in the office room of my apartment. But I couldn't find it; even the Philips employees store didn't have it. I bought another nice miniset by Philips but of course it didn't have DCC.

[@DRDCC]

That is a very good point, as this might be the only one with a conventional mechanism. The Panasonic and Technics have one, but are motorized.

[@JacGoudsmit]

@@DRDCC Also, somewhat interestingly, I was just reminded by the service manual that this is a 3rd generation recorder, though it has no text display so it can't record or display titles.

[@DRDCC]

@@JacGoudsmit A little crazy machine. Why they left out even reading the titles is beyond me. This machine is the only one not being able to display titles.

[@DRDCC]

Jac Can you see anything in the Service manual about a display background light in Green?

[@JacGoudsmit]

@@DRDCC apparently there are 3 lightbulbs behind the LCD and one behind the DCC logo (page 8-4).

[@Friendroid]

I was able to open my unit thanks to your video. I replaced the belts, adjusted the laser and gave everything a cleanup. It recently developed a strange fault: after powering up it only starts producing sound after a few minutes. I power the device, set it to Tuner mode and after a few minuted there is a click and it starts playing (and continues playing until i turn it of). Any idea what it can be?

[@DRDCC]

Very strange indeed. Wish we could say more, but without having it on the bench it will be hard. I would start looking in the power supply first. for faster help. forum.dccmuseum.com

[@xabre16v]

I remember having one. I think the display light is broken on yours, I remember mine had a green illuminated display.

[@DRDCC]

We have a quite a few. None of them have a light. I believe that was not there from the start.

[@xabre16v]

@@DRDCC I'm pretty sure. I remember it was the first thing that broke down. I'm not surprised none are working.

[@xabre16v]

Here is a picture, green illumination is visible: www.omropfryslan.nl/data/files/imagenodes/boksen.jpg Also non-DDC versions had green display: cache.osta.ee/iv2/auctions/1_1_8101157.jpg

[@DRDCC]

Just checked all 5 hahaha. None have lights. Maybe we can try and fix it.

[@DRDCC]

Sledge Hammer Thanks again. We found the lights and fixed it. We also found that the original plan/schedule was to add another light to the dcc logo, but Philips never did. We have upgraded outs with the extra light and will make a future video about this topic.

[@bapunidas1954]

I have philips fw17 and fw46 can I get the cassette deck belts ??

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

Ralph, do you or anyone else know the measurements of all the belts? I need the dimensions to place the order.

[@DRDCC]

Philip van der Matten We do not. It was done by by simply fitting belts until it worked. Really should have taken the measurement after finding the right one. Promise will do it next time. The original belt was totally gone, so we could not take any measurements from it.

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

@@DRDCC I see. But, do you remember if the belts were the same for the ACC and the DCC mechanism? Haven't taken the DCC mechanism apart yet, but I did take apart the ACC mechanism, and I would like to order the 4 belts in 1 order if possible.

[@DRDCC]

Philip van der Matten The mechanism in a FW68 is the same as the DCC730 or DCC951, so the belt kit for the engine should the same, but without the tray loading belt. Jac even tried to mount a FW68 mech into a 730, but it did not play. Software apparently is different. Did you find the measurements for the analog?

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

@@DRDCC No, not yet, but I will keep you informed in this post when I do. Shouldn't be too long.

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

www.reeltoreel.nl/wiki/index.php/Philips_FW68. There you go.

[@josecaldeiraphotographer]

There was also Fw91

[@albertbalendran5513]

Gr8 video bro.

[@camilaalvarez6553]

The DCC section of my unit have never worked... It's like it is disconnected because any of the buttons work, nothing appears on the display. What can I do?

[@DRDCC]

Visit forum.dccmuseum.com for more help please

[@craigdavidson2278]

Than you for not putting the "music" track on this upload.

[@DRDCC]

Most people prefer to hear just the background noise. I learn along the way from these comments as our channels continues to grow. Soft music, way in the background seems to be ok, but the room noises are preferred, during a resto.

[@jornsiemonsma1040]

that's a need thing!

[@aamrothefree]

please how can i change palt for paioneer privat xr- z83

[@DRDCC]

Hi, We only do DCC related topics.

[@SwedishRetroTechNerd]

Found one of those a goodwill for 300 sek thats 30USD!!!! And it had a sold sticker on it :(

[@DRDCC]

That is a good price. To bad you could not get it.

[@chocolatelover8080]

Big Gamer Swedish I’m selling one in the UK in you are looking to buy one?

[@SwedishRetroTechNerd]

@@chocolatelover8080 Its to far away

[@oldgamecafe]

You forgot to fix the display backlight

[@DRDCC]

We will do another video just about the lights.

[@ЖекаЖека-я5т]

Почему нет подсветки на дисплее????

[@DRDCC]

Very good question. At that point, we did not know there was supposed to be a backlight. We have found the lights and replaced them. We will also do another video about replacing the lights in the future.

[@DariuszNawrat]

As I see cd board has spdif output but not connected. Try to add few parts and connector. Then You can send cd player signal outside to DAC. I did It in My FW363 (have the same board) and it works fine. DAC from Philips is not so good.

[@freedom5658]

CD player designed not Good As aiwa system easily disassembed For belt replacement.