1984 Panasonic Hi-fi 4 head VCR I might possibly pick up

[Blast]

Originally Posted by Captainclock

Interestingly enough I don't think this unit has a switching power supply, I think it has a cold chassis non-switching power supply because its not the usual removeable switching power supply like I've seen in other Panasonics from the same time period...

Even though it may not be the rectangular removeable power supply utilized in later models I believe it is one of the early SM power supplies. I'm surprised it doesn't need capacitors. Maybe they've already been replaced. On any event, have fun with it!

[Captainclock]

Originally Posted by Blast

Even though it may not be the rectangular removeable power supply utilized in later models I believe it is one of the early SM power supplies. I'm surprised it doesn't need capacitors. Maybe they've already been replaced. On any event, have fun with it!

Thanks, I have been having fun with it, its interesting watching period movies on it because it definitely has the stereotypical "1980s" VCR look to it when its playing tapes.

[jmm83]

I have the same vcr it works good i had to replace the idler tire in it
i have a parts one also it has bad heads i got it for $15 with remote from goodwill

[waltchan]

Panasonic PV-1730 was the 1984 4-head Hi-Fi stereo model, first one built.

[centralradio]

Originally Posted by waltchan

Panasonic PV-1730 was the 1984 4-head Hi-Fi stereo model, first one built.

I was going to buy that model but waited to get the PV-9600 portable in 1985.I had it setup along with the Realistic MTS stereo receiver.

I would get more use out of the portable then the home deck at the time.

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by centralradio

I was going to buy that model but waited to get the PV-9600 portable in 1985.I had it setup along with the Realistic MTS stereo receiver.

Ah yes.. the PV-A860 docking station that came with. Fixed a-many of those. Some mechanical problems with the docking latch mechanism, others with multiple burned components on the board.

Does yours still work?

[centralradio]

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

Ah yes.. the PV-A860 docking station that came with. Fixed a-many of those. Some mechanical problems with the docking latch mechanism, others with multiple burned components on the board.

Does yours still work?

Thats a good question.It probably needs recapping and a overhaul. I had no problem with the deck latch but it had its share of problems with the dock .As you sail burned parts on the board. The docking station had blown one of those green special SIP chips within a year of purchase .The deck had its share of issues of going out of alignment and HIfi motor boating.Over the years I pick up a couple of them and equiv models of the 9600.

Since you dont get much time out of the internal battery .I end up powering it with a 12volt 7 amp alarm battery from Radio Shack along with the Panasonic 12 volt car battery adapter.Got alot of recording time with that setup.

With the PV-1730.I should of picked up that model or the PV-1740 instead of the NEC 965U in 1987 but the built in MTS decoder which I was looking for was in the NEC .The NEC was broken down more than used.

With the 9600 /Realistic MTS tuner combo .Got alot of timer set programs screwed up and silent movies and TV shows recorded with the separate MTS tuner when for getting to turn it on and or putting it on the right channel.

[Ed in Tx]

Those PV-9000s, the linear audio 8000s, the tabletop 1730, and any that shared that DD reel chassis, I saw a lot of worn out drum bearings. Some would stick and not start up but would run with a little push, some the bearing would wear and wobble as it spun causing tracking problems and audible flutter in the linear audio. Would show up on the REC-PB RF envelope with wavy tops and bottoms instead of flat.

At the time I would have bought either a 1730 or a 9000 if they had MTS stereo but they came out too early. In '84 Mitsubishi came out with the HS-400U 2-head with hi-fi and MTS but mono linear audio, then followed with the HS-430U I ended up buying since it had Hi-Fi and linear stereo with Dolby for my old linear stereo tapes I recorded on either a PV-6000 linear stereo portable or a PV-1780 top-loader with Dolby linear stereo.

We had Warner Amex cable in the early '80s with MTV and Showtime stereo audio on FM radio carriers you'd tune to and use that "simulcast" switch on the VCR to feed in external audio.

That HS-430 was about $900 at "Videoland". I remember going there at lunch to buy one, they had a pallet stacked with them. Was a fairly popular model loaded with lots of features and problems.

[waltchan]

And based on my 17 years of experience restoring and repairing VCRs, I found Toshiba built the most-reliable and longest-lasting S-VHS VCRs. Toshiba SV-771 is one highly-reliable model, for example.

Who saw some (or maybe none)?