Oldest VCR you've owned?

[Penthode]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

U-matic (1971) was the first consumer VCR format. Sony initially built it for the consumer market (the built in tuners and RF out on the VO-1600 that were deleted in subsequent models show this intent), but it was too expensive to attract the market Sony wanted (as Sony learned from the sales data from the flagship VO-1600). So Sony changed gears and switched to marketing it as a broadcast format.

Most believe the N-1500 was the first "consumer" VCR and the Sony the first VCR. The criterion for consumer VCR would be to record and playback, include a tuner and include a timer (the Sony did not include the timer).

Alas my N-1500 has bad video heads. If anyone has a video drum to spare, I'd be most grateful.

http://www.rewindmuseum.com/umatic.htm

[Alastair E]

Originally Posted by Penthode

Most believe the N-1500 was the first "consumer" VCR and the Sony the first VCR. The criterion for consumer VCR would be to record and playback, include a tuner and include a timer (the Sony did not include the timer).

Alas my N-1500 has bad video heads. If anyone has a video drum to spare, I'd be most grateful.

http://www.rewindmuseum.com/umatic.htm

IF you get the chance--the (In Europe) more popular N1700 VCR series head-drum will physically fit and work.

As opposed the N1500 'straight-head' 130uM the N1700 used 74uM slant-azimuth heads, but will work in the 1500--although will not play 1500 recordings--only its own recordings,--but better than nothing.

Worthwhile--If you get a good set of 1700 series heads, would be to halve the tape-speed, by machining the capstan motor-pulley to exactly half its original diameter, and adding an extra servo pick-up head to the capstan flywheel at right-angles to the original--wire 'em in series (Experience has shown its not really necessary to add another head here--The servo still locks at half-speed happily...)

At this point the machine --isnt quite N1700 standard, as the Capstan itself needs to be machined down somewhat--but a real precision grinding job needs to be done to it, as its Mega Hard steel--I know,--I tried to do one some years ago with a spare shaft, --and failed!....

Whatever you do fit to the machine--Strip and clean the reel-tables well, and re-lubricate with a light oil, Make absolutely certain that the bottom reel table is perfectly free, with no tight-spots etc The Back-Tension is governed by the weight of the bottom-reel and a felt backed disc on the underside of the bottom reel-table.
--Its incredible how fast a set of nice new heads can be trashed by cruddy oil/felt-disc on that reel-table!--Applies to all of the N1500/N1700 series machines.....