VCR audio output very low - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

yesnaby · 8th Aug 2014, 6:36 pm

Hello,

I have a Panasonic NV-HS930 S-VHS VCR which has a very low audio output (video is fine). It sounds OK if I wind up the volume on the TV though. Two other Panasonic VCRs I have give a normal audio output. Is this going to be easy to fix?

Michael

Mooly · 8th Aug 2014, 6:54 pm

First thought. Is it using the hi-fi audio track (the FM depth modulated carrier) or just the standard linear audio track recorded on the tape edge. Easy way to check, just "buzz" the stationery audio head in playback with your finger. You should hear nothing. If you can then its not using the hi-fi track most probably because of head or lower drum issues (wear). That said the stationery head (if it is using that) should be of correct level. If its not then that is usually down to alignment or edge damage of the tape.

Easy repair... hmmm... well probably not a cost effective repair I would hazard a guess.

paulsherwin · 8th Aug 2014, 6:58 pm

If the stationary head is being used, a good clean may help. They can get absolutely filthy after a while, and owners don't notice because they're amost always using the hifi sound.

yesnaby · 8th Aug 2014, 8:48 pm

Hello,

Thank you.

I think this VCR uses hi-fi audio heads (though I haven't opened it up to check).

But I found that by connecting the TV to SCART 2 instead of SCART 1 (as recommended in the manual), the sound is then normal!

Michael

yesnaby · 20th Aug 2014, 9:29 pm

Hello,

I think therefore that SCART 1 must be faulty, but since SCART 2 works OK it is probably not worth bothering to fix it (even if I knew how!).

Michael

IanNVJ35 · 20th Aug 2014, 11:16 pm

Unusual fault. I have a couple of those exact machines and neither display that trait - it may be an internal service setting that was not set right in the factory. If you haven't already done so it's worth removing the auto head cleaning roller - they do more harm than good and heads are no longer available.

8th Aug 2014, 6:36 pm	#1
yesnaby Octode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Newport, Gwent, UK. Posts: 1,623	VCR audio output very low Hello, I have a Panasonic NV-HS930 S-VHS VCR which has a very low audio output (video is fine). It sounds OK if I wind up the volume on the TV though. Two other Panasonic VCRs I have give a normal audio output. Is this going to be easy to fix? Michael

8th Aug 2014, 6:54 pm	#2
Mooly Octode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,351	Re: VCR audio output very low First thought. Is it using the hi-fi audio track (the FM depth modulated carrier) or just the standard linear audio track recorded on the tape edge. Easy way to check, just "buzz" the stationery audio head in playback with your finger. You should hear nothing. If you can then its not using the hi-fi track most probably because of head or lower drum issues (wear). That said the stationery head (if it is using that) should be of correct level. If its not then that is usually down to alignment or edge damage of the tape. Easy repair... hmmm... well probably not a cost effective repair I would hazard a guess.

8th Aug 2014, 6:58 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: VCR audio output very low If the stationary head is being used, a good clean may help. They can get absolutely filthy after a while, and owners don't notice because they're amost always using the hifi sound.

8th Aug 2014, 8:48 pm	#4
yesnaby Octode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Newport, Gwent, UK. Posts: 1,623	Re: VCR audio output very low Hello, Thank you. I think this VCR uses hi-fi audio heads (though I haven't opened it up to check). But I found that by connecting the TV to SCART 2 instead of SCART 1 (as recommended in the manual), the sound is then normal! Michael

20th Aug 2014, 9:29 pm	#5
yesnaby Octode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Newport, Gwent, UK. Posts: 1,623	Re: VCR audio output very low Hello, I think therefore that SCART 1 must be faulty, but since SCART 2 works OK it is probably not worth bothering to fix it (even if I knew how!). Michael

20th Aug 2014, 11:16 pm	#6
IanNVJ35 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 846	Re: VCR audio output very low Unusual fault. I have a couple of those exact machines and neither display that trait - it may be an internal service setting that was not set right in the factory. If you haven't already done so it's worth removing the auto head cleaning roller - they do more harm than good and heads are no longer available.