Dragged home a Hitachi VT-33A

[Kiwick]

I have a VT35, the mechanism is the same but with digital channel display and a slighly different front panel design with even larger mech function buttons

Mine came from a dumpster, it just needed a new belt, it worked for a few years then the controls got sluggish (it often rewinded when i pushed FF or vice versa) then the whole control panel died.

Sooner or later i'm going to try to fix it, maybe i have a dirty function switch in the mech.

[andy]

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[jedo1507r]

AUdubon5425: Definitely as it's 25 years old. I'll track the suspect cap(s) down.

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Originally Posted by Kiwick

Mine came from a dumpster, it just needed a new belt, it worked for a few years then the controls got sluggish (it often rewinded when i pushed FF or vice versa) then the whole control panel died.

Interestingly, the FF/REW issue happened earlier when I tested the replacement belts.

I'm just curious on the larger mech. buttons on the VT-35, if you're able to post a photo of it. Even with this one (and a few VCRs of this era), one wouldn't need fingers to run it.

[Blast]

That really brings back memories of the dozens of these (and dozens of RCA-branded equivilents) I worked on the '90's. I second the motions about tact switches being the culprits. Just replace them.

That thing is in great shape for 25 years old!
Brian

[Kiwick]

Originally Posted by jedo1507r

Interestingly, the FF/REW issue happened earlier when I tested the replacement belts.

I'm just curious on the larger mech. buttons on the VT-35, if you're able to post a photo of it. Even with this one (and a few VCRs of this era), one wouldn't need fingers to run it.

Here's a pic of my VT-35 E

Mine started to swap the REW and FF functions, then the whole control panel died shortly afterwards, i remember the "tape in" light was still on even with no tape inside and the carriage up, so it wouldn't even accept tapes anymore, someday i'll have a go at it

Big buttons were a typical feature on many 80s Products, i think they look really cool!

[andy]

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[jedo1507r]

Kiwick: Your VT-35E looks good, all of those colors that the NA version lack, though we get woodgrain vinyl on metal on the case.


Japanese VT-33

I'm also starting to think the switches are the issue as andy and Blast said. I had to hold the transport buttons a little longer to prod it along.


I forgot to note that this little channel select driver is still on the door.




No sign of video problems. (Old life insurance ad, 2003-ish)