Sony Betamax C7 - died! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

steviewilson · 3rd Nov 2015, 5:38 pm

Hi folks. I got a C7 a few years ago, bought working, tested fine, played a few tapes no bother, picture was good, all functions worked fine. Ive a few boxes of old stuff Id love to go thru and transfer onto dvd. Anyway, was decorating, put the beta away for a bit, went back to it and now even tho it powers up, the buttons do nothing, it wont play, eject (left a tape inside! silly me), wont ffwd or rw either. The clock and all the other lights come on so its getting power of some sort, standby button is on etc but is lifeless.
Any clues where to look? Im a total and complete novice with vcr's, but would love to learn the basics and how to fix them, as I have a Sony C6 (loads of wow and flutter - caps need replaced?) and 2 Sanyo machines, a 5000 and 5300 I believe, all need repair.

Thanks
Stevie

dj_fivos_sak · 3rd Nov 2015, 6:39 pm

I don't know much about the C7 but for the C6, you need to replace the servo caps. The Sanyo VTC 5000 and 5300 use a different mechanism. The 5300 is a year older than the 5000 and uses electronic eject mechanism rather than the simpler mechanical used on the 5000.

alm7rom · 3rd Nov 2015, 9:39 pm

I have T7ME, it's the same video and problems.
Is the green light on ...

or can you put a video to see the problem

greg_simons · 3rd Nov 2015, 10:23 pm

Think you will need to check all the varoius rails from the smps, it's an absolute brute to strip and repair but my guess is that the various capacitors inside it have leaked or dried up causing the converter transistors to fail, sony did used to market a kit of repair parts for the sr08 switch mode power supply which included the switching transistors and the relevant caps.
Best of luck with it.
Greg.

Libratron · 3rd Nov 2015, 10:24 pm

Check the PSU are ok.

A little guide is here.

http://www.palsite.com/slc7tech.html

Libra

dj_fivos_sak · 3rd Nov 2015, 10:48 pm

Check regulator transistor Q25 [2SC13641] zener diode D)gon the system control panel

alm7rom · 4th Nov 2015, 12:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by alm7rom

I have C7ME, it's the same video and problems.

to who edit my post
i am not wrong writing T7ME
This read http://www.palsite.com/slt7tech.html

Sorry, I thought it was a typo as we're discussing C7s in this thread, and Google was unforthcoming.
I've unedited it.

dj_fivos_sak · 4th Nov 2015, 12:38 am

Yeap. The T7 is the multi system version of the C5/7.

HamishBoxer · 4th Nov 2015, 12:06 pm

I would certainly change all the small electrolytic caps in the power supply to avoid major failure.Regardless of wether suspect or not but at the age it is then a safe bet.

Welsh Anorak · 4th Nov 2015, 4:52 pm

And don't overlook the two 4.7 uFs in the primary side - replace with the best you can get.

dj_fivos_sak · 5th Nov 2015, 12:30 am

Replacing caps is always a good start when restoring old VCRs.

3rd Nov 2015, 5:38 pm	#1
steviewilson Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 4	Sony Betamax C7 - died! Hi folks. I got a C7 a few years ago, bought working, tested fine, played a few tapes no bother, picture was good, all functions worked fine. Ive a few boxes of old stuff Id love to go thru and transfer onto dvd. Anyway, was decorating, put the beta away for a bit, went back to it and now even tho it powers up, the buttons do nothing, it wont play, eject (left a tape inside! silly me), wont ffwd or rw either. The clock and all the other lights come on so its getting power of some sort, standby button is on etc but is lifeless. Any clues where to look? Im a total and complete novice with vcr's, but would love to learn the basics and how to fix them, as I have a Sony C6 (loads of wow and flutter - caps need replaced?) and 2 Sanyo machines, a 5000 and 5300 I believe, all need repair. Thanks Stevie

3rd Nov 2015, 6:39 pm	#2
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! I don't know much about the C7 but for the C6, you need to replace the servo caps. The Sanyo VTC 5000 and 5300 use a different mechanism. The 5300 is a year older than the 5000 and uses electronic eject mechanism rather than the simpler mechanical used on the 5000.

3rd Nov 2015, 9:39 pm	#3
alm7rom Triode Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Al-Kharj near Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Posts: 42	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! I have T7ME, it's the same video and problems. Is the green light on ... or can you put a video to see the problem

3rd Nov 2015, 10:23 pm	#4
greg_simons Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,422	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! Think you will need to check all the varoius rails from the smps, it's an absolute brute to strip and repair but my guess is that the various capacitors inside it have leaked or dried up causing the converter transistors to fail, sony did used to market a kit of repair parts for the sr08 switch mode power supply which included the switching transistors and the relevant caps. Best of luck with it. Greg. Last edited by greg_simons; 3rd Nov 2015 at 10:24 pm. Reason: spelling error

3rd Nov 2015, 10:24 pm	#5
Libratron Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Martino di Lupari, Veneto, Italy. Posts: 204	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! Check the PSU are ok. A little guide is here. http://www.palsite.com/slc7tech.html Libra

3rd Nov 2015, 10:48 pm	#6
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! Check regulator transistor Q25 [2SC13641] zener diode D)gon the system control panel

4th Nov 2015, 12:38 am	#8
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! Yeap. The T7 is the multi system version of the C5/7.

4th Nov 2015, 12:06 pm	#9
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! I would certainly change all the small electrolytic caps in the power supply to avoid major failure.Regardless of wether suspect or not but at the age it is then a safe bet. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

4th Nov 2015, 4:52 pm	#10
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! And don't overlook the two 4.7 uFs in the primary side - replace with the best you can get.

5th Nov 2015, 12:30 am	#11
dj_fivos_sak Heptode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lefkada, Greece Posts: 969	Re: Sony Betamax C7 - died! Replacing caps is always a good start when restoring old VCRs.