Grundig's mad SVHS machine VS-680 VPT. Part 1 of 2.

[@andreasbartel3449]

Fun fact: Grundig produced head drums for Panasonic. A lot of Grundigs used the G chassis; including some made by Grundig Sony VHS… Finally all the pioneers of home video became a family

[@Edg4rt]

I grew up with this vcr, we had it at home because my father was dealing High End electronics and I remember that at the begining of the ‘90s this was one of the best S-VHS video recorders that were on the market. It did it’s job flawlessly for years, I remember my father always cleaning the head, but I know that we never had it’s original remote control. My father told me that it has a large professional remote but I didn’t get to see it untill now online. I was 10 in ‘93…now 41 and when you turned on the vcr and I saw the display, it brought back a lot of good memories

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

I've worked on G decks before. To eject the carriage, press the change lever at the bottom of the deck and rotate the main pulley by hand. The lever must be pushed each time the clutch makes a rotation.

[@Ragnar8504]

The full service manual is available online, as is an old training video by Panasonic that covers disassembly and alignment.

[@Thepaddster]

Its nice to know that the magic smoke escaping terrifies even a seasoned engineer. I've never experienced it while working on something but it terrifies me even on a closed unit!

[@thomashoppe893]

I've had a Grundig GV-280 ,the predecessor of the VS-680, the old WIMA-Capacitators can go like firecrackers. I had it in my working room and i wanted to go to bed, than....Bang!

[@chrisbircham221]

Omg Colin I did the training on this beast, came onto the market just before I left. It was an absolute monster in features with the full QWERTY keyboard on the remote.

[@Ragnar8504]

I haven't managed to get mine working completely (the mechanism refuses to thread all the way) but the electronics do seem OK. Some things I've learned on the journey: 1) Replace anything that says "Frako" or "Roederstein" and is an electrolytic capacitor, at least from the power supply. They're likely all dead or close to meeting their maker. 2) Replace any clear X or Y-type filter capacitor with film-type X2 caps, they can and will go up in smoke when you need it the least, as seen at 15:42. They stink pretty badly and cover all surrounding surfaces with a nasty oily substance. A 3) Instructions on removing the lower main PCB (Chassisplatte I if I remember correctly) are on page 27 of the manual. I think the whole digital stuff was just for adding titles and some editing tricks, no TBC. I've never actually used my VS680 though. When I bought it at a flea market it had a dead battery that sent it into child-safe mode (locked) and while I seem to remember I did manage to unlock it and play tapes, I couldn't find the battery to replace it - I was looking on the wrong side of the board. Then I put it into storage and when I finally dug it out, I replaced all the suspect capacitors in the power supply as well as the battery, only to discover the mechanism wouldn't lace all the way. I tried cleaning the mode switch and that only made things worse, if anything. Now there's a tape stuck in there half-laced and I need to get it out manually.

[@video99couk]

More information coming up on these machines shortly, I've made some progress.

[@TTVEaGMXde]

I don't like GRUNDIG, but I've seen enough of them as a TV Technician in Hamburg (Germany). Remove Drives and, if possible, crank up the Shaft (all springs relaxed, Spare Part). I had seen a light gray Plastic Roller instead of the Brass Roller in all YT videos for this device (VS 680), but these devices have real G-Drives (quick start by threading). The WIMA smoke bombs (radio interference suppression capacitors) are available in 2 versions: MKP with Polypropylene Foil and MP with Paper.There are enough Videos on YT that justify a RIFA (Preventive Exchange) approach.

[@VHSRallies]

Laughed out loud when I saw the caption, 'Any sensible person would have given up right now'...

[@TTVEaGMXde]

I liked the countdown the best.

[@ulrichmarggraf6987]

- After changing the battery, unlock the recorder with the combination lock via remote control, initialize EEProm so that there is no more nonsense in the memory, - says delete all timer programming in the service manual, otherwise the device is also blocked. - Sometimes he is synonymous to endless recording, rewinds the tape and starts recording and repeats it over and over again.

[@MVVblog]

I had this VCR and it sucked, I changed it for a Mitsubishi S-VHS U70 which made me very happy (it could also record the macrovision signal)

[@TTVEaGMXde]

Rear Universal Socket: P1 GND (Ground), P2 NC (Not connected), P3 +12VF (F = FernBedienung = Remote Control), P4 does not exist, P5 SCL (Serial Clock), P6 FB-Takt (Remote Control Clock), P7 SDA (Serial Data), P8 NC, P9 NC, P10 HiFi (yes/no) Out via Diode

[@RetroTec464]

Nice work and interesting video. I have this Grundig VS680 SVHS highend machine in my collection since two years (bought from new, boxed). It was the first SVHS Recorder from Grundig and the first one made in Germany. Release was in 1989. It was from the Grundig professional line and the most expensive Home Video Recorder at the end of the 80s here in Germany. Technical features (archival system, digital effects, ATTS…) were outstanding. Regarding VHS, S-VHS picture quality and features it was the best in video test magazines when it was released. Picture quality is great, even compared with its successor GV280 and the later Panasonic models with TBC in my collection. Circuit layout was completely developed from Grundig. The head drum with amorphic video heads is from Panasonic and is the same which is used in the Panasonic NV FS-1 (top-of-the line SVHS model from 1988). This Grundig uses the Panasonic G1 mechanism (complex, but very reliable). Spare parts are still available today. Precautionary I recapped the power supply (primary and secondary) including the X2 capacitors and changed the 3V lithium backup battery. It`s obligatory at his model. It works perfect now. Such machines are absolutely worth it for servicing and preservation.

[@video99couk]

Trouble is, no TBC makes it fairly useless for what I do.

[@RetroTec464]

For my use cases and in terms of picture quality I prefer this Grundig VS-680 over the Panasonic NV-HS950 and NV-HS1000 (with integrated TBC) for example.@@video99couk

[@janmos5178]

The problem is that officially there is only one error code in the VS 600 series it should only be F1. Error F2 was encountered in the first two generations of Grundig VHS VCRs, namely the vs 200 and 300 series which had their own C load mechanisms and separate reel rewind (winding motors or wickelmotoren) motors because they were based on Grundig Video 2000 machines. In these VS 200 and 300 series, the F2 error meant an illogical proportion of tacho pulses in loaded position of these reel motors. Most often it was a problem with the optocouplers of these motors. Here, however, there is a traditional drive via an idler. However, most of these codes were removed after the switch to mechanisms from Panasonic and apart from the models vs 520-550 which had additional codes the rest of the VS400-900 series only had F1. So that's probably not it.Regards.

[@digitalz1988]

"Is it worth spending time and work on these..." - Of course not. Is it worth the satisfaction of getting it working - Oh yes, totally. Plus we all want to see them both working now - No pressure ;)

[@video99couk]

Could have some news on Friday's KZbin release....

[@JacGoudsmit]

I for one would like to see you get both machines back to work. I'd be interested to see if that "video memory" does anything interesting besides show a full still frame when it's in pause mode. By the way, that test picture is obviously generated by the On Screen Display chip (basically a Teletext character generator like the SAA5050) so that you can find the VCR on a TV that only has an antenna input when the VCR doesn't have any channel presets programmed. As soon as you program at least one channel preset, it will probably go away, and it will probably also go away when you play a video tape. The "Strange connector" at 1:20 kind of looks like it would take 3.5 mm plugs. Did you ever find out what it is? The "Something marked in German" at 2:10 is obviously where you adjust the modulator channel between 31 and 39. The DIN connector underneath might be an old 6 pin Audio/Video connector; those were very common especially on German machines back then.

[@altebander2767]

Actually since it's a VPT-Model, it actually has a full fledged Teletext decoder inside. The idea is that you can set the timer just by "clicking" on the show you want on the teletext program preview page. Grundig also sold decoder-less TV-sets to go with those VTRs.

[@JacGoudsmit]

@@altebander2767 After I wrote my comment, I thought that's what it could be. I had a VCR with VPT myself but it dates from 1991; I thought the model in the video dated from much earlier. But of course in Germany, VPT started much earlier than where I was (Netherlands).

[@altebander2767]

@@JacGoudsmit Actually that particular model was at least in the 1991 Grundig catalog.

[@janmos5178]

@@JacGoudsmit Grundig has introduced VPT programming since 1988.

[@ralf-petermicko8935]

I repaired the same machine a few months before by replacing all the capacitors in the power supply area and the battery. The display looks very dark. Maybe a damaged Zenerdiode? By the way, here on KZbin there is the original service training video of this machine. Unfortunately in german language

[@JacGoudsmit]

It starts out bright and the negative power supply seems okay too. Possibly the CPU turns the brightness all the way down when it goes in error mode?

[@ralf-petermicko8935]

I don't think it is about the CPU. There are 2 possible reasons for it. 1. The display could be burned out 2. The heating voltage is too low Check the related capacitors and Zenerdiodes. If you type in the code, the machine will be unlocked again. After this you have to do the service procedure for the automatic videohead adjustment. For this i suggest that you use a tape with hifi sound and a very good recording from a perfect working machine or just a bought one.

[@salipander6570]

I had one of these until the heads wore out, rather quickly as I remember. It did not have a TBC, but it had a memory for still pictures. Its resolution was lower than S-VHS could do. Memory was still expensive then...

[@janmos5178]

The symbol A0, if I see it correctly on the display, also means that the VCR is locked by Child Lock. There may be a problem with the battery. I am writing just in case because You may already know this.

[@frankowalker4662]

Seeing as you have two of them, it should (?) be be easy(ish) to make one working machine. (in theory) Nice service manual, very well made. I love those remotes, they are insane. LOL.

[@UHF43]

2:07 That looks like a legacy A/V connector. Grundig used those in their TV sets in the early 80's

[@Ragnar8504]

That would have been slightly different. The socket on the VS680 lacks space for the outer shield of the DIN plug. On my 680 it's oddly enough marked in French, "Prise de desembouilleur", which I take means decoder socket. I say oddly, because my VCR was very likely bought in German-speaking Austria.

[@UHF43]

So maybe it was for the VPS decoder?

[@janmos5178]

@@Ragnar8504 This may be the old Panasonic connector for connecting the remote control and camera control in earlier Grundig VCRs. Newer models just used it to connect, for example, a VPS decoder. It was a so-called VIF or universal socket.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@UHF43 My guess would be Macrovision decoder or something along those lines. Some later VCRs for the European market had two SCART sockets, one of them was marked "Decoder" and input-only. If I remember correctly the idea was that you plugged things like cable/satellite receivers into that socket. The service manual doesn't list anything like that though. It does mention a remote control connector for controlling Grundig camcorders but I'm not sure if that's referring to this connector or to the 3.5 mm jack marked "RC" behind the front panel. Unfortunately I don't have the user manual.

[@janmos5178]

In my opinion, after checking all capacitors and the like as previously advised by commentators and after checking the G deck, if everything is OK there you need to check both Ablaufsteuerung aka Sequence Control ( Syscom ansd servo )sections on the Chassis Board, especially the sequences from the mechanism sensors to the microcontroller SDA 2087 (IC 190) with EPROM (IC 185) and SN 74 L 373 (ic 120)and this whole section. In these models the Ablaufsteuerung section rarely broke down but sometimes there could be problems there as the lack of test rotation of the head drum may indicate. Regards.

[@video99couk]

More will be revealed shortly, I've made some progress on these.

[@marcse7en]

I don't like captive power cables either! With detachable power cables, the user can easily replace the power cable, if necessary.

[@totalrandomtechnolog]

If you remove the front panel, aren't there two big pins near the display? I remember hat shorting them would reset it and made it work. But that was so long ago i'm not sure anymore. Take a peak underneath the display cover. Also cleaning the mode switch would solve a lot of weird issues on this deck.

[@swrzesinski]

They are as quirky and problematic as some of Philips v2000 machines you worked on. I would like to see update for those Grundig's. It makes no sense, but I'm interested 😅

[@janmos5178]

1 sekundę temu Their machines were too complicated and expensive to produce.

[@dragonlard4595]

Having the Service Manual, but not the User Manual... Thats a rare case... 😂

[@analogvideochannel4612]

I had the exact same capacitor blow in a 2 head mono grundig VS 900 (which also has the g mech), much much simpler but seems to be from the same time and design. If it's the same cap as that one it's from WIMA. That one also had a bad PS capacitor causing the voltages to not be correct and it to fail to turn on (and prob some dodgy secondary side filter caps but they weren't bad enough for it to fail.) It also had some child lock thing that was active, idk if the SVHS ones have that too but don't think it stopped the mechanism from doing anything. Hope you can get at least one of em to work.

[@zx8401ztv]

Its brand is grundig and made by panasonic, there must be some philips in it as well. Philips can be a pain in the bum. Does it have a mode switch in the deck, they can screw machines up. Does the deck have led optical sensors to monitor the tape end. Connect a volt meter to a emitter to see if there is missing power. Or..... Invite it to the dust bin l:-D

[@Petertronic]

The JVC HR-S5800 also had a rather insane oversize remote, it even had a jog/shuttle dial on it. I'd love to see you get one machine going, they have a nice chunky look to them!

[@analogvideochannel4612]

Oh yes, I got one of those. It's a chonker allright, though I think there are VCRs with even more oversized ones.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@analogvideochannel4612 A full alphanumeric keyboard is pretty bonkers though. I think the VS 680 was aimed squarely at wealthy home video folks who wanted to mess up their holiday videos with 8-bit-looking titles and crazy effects like picture-in-picture without needing the space for dedicated editing equipment.

[@mudi2000a]

Battery failure seems to be a general issue with Grundig VCRs, the one we had back in the day also failed because of this. The strange DIN connector is a connection to Grundig TVs, which had the same DIN socket but I don't remember the purpose...

[@janmos5178]

It's an AV connector. But in the VS 600 series it should no longer be there. This may be the old Panasonic connector for connecting the remote control and camera control in earlier Grundig VCRs. Newer models just used it to connect, for example, a VPS decoder. It was a so-called VIF or universal socket.

[@artyrgriboedov4520]

Здравствуйте, когда вторая часть будет?

[@Oldgamingfart]

I always wince a little whenever I see those gold-coloured Roederstein caps..but naturally even more so in a PSU! They have a rather nasty habit of failing short! The brown plastic-encased ones that B&O used to favour were also pretty notorious. G-Deck machines weren't always that bad..unless there was a timing issue..then they were a pig! Interestingly, there were slight differences with the design of some of the parts in the Philips version, so unfortunately you can't part swap with a Panasonic (and vice-versa!). Luckily, this looks to be a 'proper' Panny.. One of the (very few) saving graces of the G-Deck was the easy ability to cycle the mechanism slowly by hand (ooh, Matron!). There is a little lever/ catch on the solenoid below mech, which can be actuated to move through each of the modes (whilst manually rotating the capstan flywheel). Ideal for fault finding without the fear of smashing the gears to bits! Fun fun fun! :'D

[@UHF43]

Panasonic decided it was a good idea to have only one motor to run cassette loading, tape threading and transport.

[@Oldgamingfart]

@@UHF43 Indeed! A certain idiom involving a sledgehammer and a nut comes to mind!

[@analogvideochannel4612]

​@@Oldgamingfart And then the upgraded it with a secondary motor and belt to improve responsiveness on the later high end variants making it kinda moot.

[@Oldgamingfart]

@@analogvideochannel4612 Yes I recall the Cue/Review motor in the higher-end (G2) models.

[@janmos5178]

@@UHF43 At K decks they have returned to the three-engine concept in my opinion rightly so.

[@jamesbennettmusic]

Love the 'crispening' control. Does it do chips?

[@TTVEaGMXde]

It's not just a "HighFrequency" Adjuster like the Sharp Adjusters, since an nS Delay is integrated into the Circuit

[@Asd-ms3rp]

Здравствуйте, когда будет 2часть.

[@video99couk]

Part 2 is tomorrow (already out for Patreons).

[@Asd-ms3rp]

Спасибо

[@RobertHellier]

I remember these VCR's when they were brand new they were very expensive more costly than the Panasonic version. The Grundig had one thing extra it had VPS via Teletext its like teletext tv guide and you selected the programme you wanted it would set up the timer from there. Plus it was able to record teletext subtitles on to tape either VHS or SVHS. it was impressive bit of kit... but very complex machine that put me off from buying one

[@janmos5178]

Grundig made great VCR designs, at least in theory. In practice, their machines were too complicated and expensive to produce. One of my German colleagues characterized it as an attempt to produce like Mercedes 190 at the price of an Opel Corsa

[@artyrgriboedov4520]

Классные аппараты

[@metingokbulut837]

⭐️💯🇹🇷👍