VHS VCR 15-year average reliability data (1978-1993)...

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Ed in TX, this is what the video board looks like in the PV-S4880 with the surface-mount caps (photo #2). Your AG-1830 looks pretty much similar.

Actually not much similarity. Much more use of modules soldered perpendicular to the top main board.

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

Actually not much similarity. Much more use of modules soldered perpendicular to the top main board.

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

Dark distorted picture, either E-E or tape playback, distorted hi-fi audio, as I recall.

The problem would be caps related at the S-VHS Pack C.B.A., Luminence and Chrominance C.B.A., Input Luminence/Chrominace Separator C.B.A., Audio Pack C.B.A., and Hi-Fi Audio Pack C.B.A. All five boards require checking and testing. There should be a hybrid IC with surface-mount caps (hidden underneath) hanging sideways mounted on the S-VHS Pack C.B.A. (two boards mounted sideways). All the surface-mount caps in it need to be changed.

After that, (you're not finished yet, despite the tired work), you also will need to check all the caps in the switching power supply, just in case, before you put the top cover back on.

Panasonic S-VHS units often can get really, really severe electronic issues, with repair costs easily exceeding up to 500% of the product replacement cost.
.

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by waltchan

...After that, (you're not finished yet), you also will need to check all the caps in the switching power supply...

And then you'd only be about half way through it!

If I was going to go to the trouble to re-cap a VCR I would probably do one or both of my HR-S5800-HR-S6700 pair from JVC. Only difference between them is cosmetic. Those are/were really nice machines in their day. But on some of those modules hifi audio in particular SMD caps fail leak and take out tiny circuit traces with them.

[NJRoadfan]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Panasonic S-VHS units often can get really, really severe electronic issues, with repair costs easily exceeding up to 500% of the product replacement cost.
.

Tell me where one can buy a brand new AG-1980.... that 500% figure is moot when the deck isn't made anymore.

Panasonic sure knows how to pack a deck with boards though (AG-1980 diagram below). They are nice enough to not even show the 3000 screws holding that mess together (not to mention the many capacitors that go bad).

[waltchan]

Originally Posted by NJRoadfan

that 500% figure is moot when the deck isn't made anymore.

Many times, repair cost more than buying one on eBay.

[NJRoadfan]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Many times, repair cost more than buying one on eBay.

Unfortunately ebay units are a crapshot at best. These VCRs are 10-15 years old now, and many of them beat up and never serviced. Chances are whatever you buy will have bad caps anyway.

[waltchan]

I may be (but not sure) interested in purchasing a second new-in-box vintage JVC VCR. Except for the 1982 HR-7650U that I already purchased, which one is likely the next best:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=...ahand0&afsrc=1

Seller has 10 different vintage JVC VCR models. The next, closest good one may be the 1983 HR-D225U. I believe in the concept that the older the manufacturing year, the more reliable it will be. Can anyone verify?

There are three different mid-80s JVC chassis I can pick. Which one is the most reliable to you?

• 1982-1984: No picture available
  
• 1984-1986: http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/mbk-41.htm
  
• 1986-1989: http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/mbk-42.htm
  
• 1989-1994: http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/mbk-45.htm

[Ed in Tx]

Personally I'd go for the HR-D830. Yes they can have their problems, but they are all fairly easy fixes.