Sony SLHF900 SuperBetamax No Audio, No Rewind and Other Problems

[@RetroClaire]

That was a marathon service. Things of this era have so many trailing cables, it makes them a worry too disturb. Boomboxes are the same.

[@zhaohaigaogu7821]

Inside the SANYO regulator STK5441, there is poor insulation of the soft transparent heat dissipating silicone and broken wires, so it may have deteriorated due to long-term use.I modified it by installing a heat dissipation fan behind the video.The video production was amazing until the end.👍

[@video99couk]

I did manage to get hold of a few STK5441 hybrids recently and they work well, I've even got a spare in stock. One machine came in with a fake part installed, so their are counterfeits out there.

[@kelvinstokes996]

I think this is the world softly whispering "it's time to clean up the workbench" into your ear...

[@12voltvids]

Never gonna happen. Too busy working. If I clean it will be clean for exactly 1 job

[@warwickwas]

I also have a sound problem. It stopped suddenly between tape swaps. It's there, but extremely low (About 5%). This is a long video so can you point me to the point in the video where you fixed the sound. I have a fantastic machine - the Sony SL-800e. Cheers.

[@marvinwatkins8179]

Back in the day that picture would show when you're TV'S are getting ready to sign off 😅

[@revolvingtoto007]

longer video? no stress ,alway's good time to see your vids uploaded, relax time 😉

[@billmcdonald2436]

Dang that’s a lot of circuitry. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many PCB’s crammed into a unit.

[@12voltvids]

It gets worse than that on some machines.

[@ThejasonJaw5442]

I like how you test all circuits & trouble shoot- i learned multi boards connections can fail

[@masoudmontazery907]

Good luck sir 🎉

[@tacofortgens3471]

Great repair Dave

[@Raptor50aus]

Interesting the insides look very similar to my Sony EV-S500 Video 8 unit. Except the boards do hinge open without taking the case apart.

[@12voltvids]

Remember this has 4 boards stacked. Most had only 2 in perhaps 3 so you could access the middle one easily.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

I cringed when you dropped that mat on the VCR. I then realized you have already took the tape out. But there could have been damage if it hit wrong. Great video!

[@12voltvids]

Not going to hurt anything. The tape had been left on the mat for a few days.

[@ilanurielilanuriel]

I have an old vcr that needs afc and apc adjustment. I don’t have a frequency counter, only a scope showing 2 digits right after zero. Is that going to be a problem? Should I buy a frequency counter?

[@thriftygrifter7656]

Okay, so what exactly did you solder together on that solenoid? My slhf300 is rewinding/fast forwarding really slowly and I need to know if what you did on yours is the solution to mine.

[@12voltvids]

That is a thermal fuse or cut out. If the temperature gets too hot it's designed to open. Biggest problems I found in the field was people tended to stack equipment. If for example the VCR was placed on an amplifier heat from amp would heat up the VCR and could melt the cutout. They do fail from stress. Just short it and move on. If you want you can replace the part but I never bother with that now. These machines are not used much these days. Just to archive old tapes.

[@thriftygrifter7656]

Theoretically speaking, if I were to short mine out how many hours of play do you guesstimate I would get from my Beta machine before it fails permanently? I actually want to get into collecting Beta tapes for playback and enjoyment. My machine plays fine, but the reverse and cue are HORRIBLY SLOW@@12voltvids

[@12voltvids]

@@thriftygrifter7656 could last year's. This part normally does not get hot. Slow rewind is likely the upper drum has been polished by the tape and now the tape is sticking. I have done many videos on fixing that issue with comet cleanser and a moist towel. Upper drum should look dull. If shiny then that's a problem. The thing that will wear out is the video heads. High grade tape will ensure that they wear faster.

[@thriftygrifter7656]

Thank you for your information. We are lucky to have people like you doing what you do. @@12voltvids

[@thriftygrifter7656]

Thank you for your help. The world is lucky to have people like you around doing what you do. @@12voltvids

[@rezar7573]

I need your help . The Sony vhs_ x50me _ device plays all videos that is recorded by other vcrs with noise in the color, but the things that recorded by itself play perfectly, and the interesting thing is all the things are recorded whit this machine displayed in the others with the same problem. Please guide me to fixing the problem. Thank you

[@12voltvids]

Has the upper drum ever been removed? If so it is probably on backwards.

[@rezar7573]

​@@12voltvidsHello, thank you very much for the answer, I don't know about the history of the device, but it seems that this area is completely untouched. If so, will the problem be solved with some alignments? I discovered a new point, when it is disconnected from the power, a sound like whistling is heard. Is it necessary to recap , It is surprising that the videos recorded by the device itself plays perfectly just by itself.

[@12voltvids]

@@rezar7573 could be alignment if it plays its own recordings and not others and other machines can not play its recordings. If it plays its own fine it is not a capacitor issue or power issue as that would affect everything. If its interchangeability then its mechanical. That's why I asked about the head drum. I used to see many come that the owner bought a cheap 20 replacement upper drum from the local parts shop. After all what could be easier unsolder remove 2 screws pop the old head off and the new one on, 2 screws and resolder right. They put it on backwards. Then it came into the shop and got charged 70 to correct.

[@rezar7573]

Hello I was just a follower until today, but you made me believe in you with a short but wonderful answer to my question. You wrote only one sentence, but I know that sentence is the extract of thousands of hours of expensive study and experience the result of a lifetime of effort, something that I appreciat well and I am very happy to be among those who had the chance to benefit from your skill and science. I hope for many more years people like me also be lucky enough to benefit from your precious knowledge and generosity. I took a screwdriver and a solder sucker!! And exactly as you said, I returned the reverse part to the correct state, and now the result of your knowledge and kindness towards me. It is a wonderful image and a healty device that came back to life. Yes, you did it again, but this time from 10000 km away and with only vague signs .so Many thanks again

[@johnohara54]

Mike , I don’t see it,man

[@vampyrelycan99]

Is this the original HF900 or the HF900mk2?

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

That's a MK1. The MK2 was only released in Japan and I believe it had linear stereo too apart from hi-fi.

[@12voltvids]

@@crashbandicoot4everr linear stereo was considered but sound quality not good enough never made it this side of pond, thats why they invented beta hifi.

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

@@12voltvids Sound quality was probably worse because of the way thinner linear tracks. I don't know how much of a help BNR was (Sony's version of Dolby B for Betamax). Another thing worth mentioning is that the Japanese HF900s can also record in βIs whereas the North American version requires a modification to do that.

[@superbetahifi]

Couldn't you just replace the thermal fuse on that solenoid?

[@12voltvids]

Tell me where to get one that small.

[@superbetahifi]

@@12voltvids NFI!! :)

[@azimuth4850]

​@@superbetahifi what is NFI? Google search yielded nothing

[@elyaqouteyouness-z6u]

Salut monsieur _je veus ton numéro whatsapp svp pour réparer de amplifier svp