Old VHS machine springs back to life

[Panrock]

I have a collection of several dozen old VHS tapes I recorded off-air in the 1980s and haven't viewed since then. These were recorded on a Fisher recorder - FVH-530? -(long gone) that I purchased in 1982 for around £600.

The Fisher carried on un-serviced for about 20 years. Some time later I was given an old JVC HR-D180EK machine in working order. What year would this have been made?

Well, I haven't touched this JVC machine for at least the past 10 years, but today I thought it would be fun to try it out! So after taking off its cover to check there weren't any obvious nasties after long storage, I popped in my very first 1982-recorded tape. I attach the results, taken from the standard UHF output. The recorder worked more or less perfectly.

On this tape, there were some Colour Bars and Test Card and music, presumably original from 1982. I now look forward to exploring the rest of my old tapes from the '80s...

I have clearly been lucky! I have no experience with VCRs. Some guidance as to recommended servicing would be welcome.

Steve

[Welsh Anorak]

Yes - you have been lucky, helped by the fact this is a pretty good machine and you've doubtless stored it well.

I'd guess early Nineties, though others will be able to be more accurate.

The old Fisher was a good machine, let down by that horseshoe-shaped idler that needed a full strip down to replace. We got quite good at it, but always insisted on fitting the opriginal Fisher part - pattern ones just wouldn't do.
On later models they did what they should have done in the first place and made a cut-out in the sub-deck so it could be changed in minutes.

[HamishBoxer]

If obtainable , I would at least replace belts and tyres.

[Panrock]

Thanks. It strikes me the monitor I'm using is also from 1982. Again JVC... VHF/UHF... PAL and SECAM capable... in the old days used for colour DX'ing. The only trouble it ever gave was an o/c speaker.

[Panrock]

The fact that VHS tapes like this can endure without noticeable degradation for 41 years prompts the question: could they last for centuries?

Steve

[HamishBoxer]

Some tapes last well regardless how stored, others just drop out and go mouldy.

BTW that JVC is a little cracker, I still have mine.

[paulsherwin]

Although everything appears to be working well, check the tape carefully for creasing or tearing, especially if you plan to play tapes with sentimental value.

[Panrock]

Your point is well made. Occasionally I have noticed a travelling 'ripple' down the picture, which I take to be mild tape creasing. I imagine this wouldn't be doing the heads much good, either.

Steve

[Welsh Anorak]

The other point I'd make is to look very closely at the tape through the window of the cassette. Any white mould here means, unless valuable, the tape should be disposed of.

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Panrock

Your point is well made. Occasionally I have noticed a travelling 'ripple' down the picture, which I take to be mild tape creasing. I imagine this wouldn't be doing the heads much good, either.

Steve

Can I assume you've scrupulously cleaned every part of the tape path with IPA?

Carefully check that your machine isn't causing any new damage, and the damage was pre-existing.

A tip I would give you is to get in the habit of making sure the last operation before ejecting the cassette is FF or RW because if the idler is worn, there may be a loop of slack tape left after the machine unloads after a PLAY or REC operation.

[HamishBoxer]

Of course the other favourite is the pinch roller gone oval re damage.

[Panrock]

Originally Posted by Graham G3ZVT

Can I assume you've scrupulously cleaned every part of the tape path with IPA?

Err.. no.

Originally Posted by Graham G3ZVT

Carefully check that your machine isn't causing any new damage, and the damage was pre-existing.

Good tip. Thank you. I'm a bit fuzzy about IPA and where to get it. Though I do have cellulose thinners and methylated spirit...

Originally Posted by Graham G3ZVT

A tip I would give you is to get in the habit of making sure the last operation before ejecting the cassette is FF or RW because if the idler is worn, there may be a loop of slack tape left after the machine unloads after a PLAY or REC operation.

Yes, I always do this out of habit, and have now wound back this 'first' tape, having enjoyed the complete run of test card music.

Steve

[whaka54]

Originally Posted by Panrock

The fact that VHS tapes like this can endure without noticeable degradation for 41 years prompts the question: could they last for centuries?

Steve

usually, video tape only fear one thing : moisture.
they don't even really fear cold or warm, but moisture is really the bad thing.
so as long they're kept in living room, they can last. of course, always exception of bad binder chemistry.

[Panrock]

In this respect, the signs are good. This collection of tapes has lived on a shelf in the bedroom for the past 40 years, where it is always of a comfortable temperature and dry.

Steve

[HamishBoxer]

DO NOT use anything but IPA, plenty on Ebay or was last time I needed it.Plus lint free cloths.

[Maarten]

From the looks of it, I think the HR-D180 would be from around 1985-1988.