RCA VMT395 VCR dead

[Ed in Tx]

Yep you're right. Gonna have to quit relying on my memory.
Matsushita made some RCAs with the stamped steel chassis and SMPS. Even Toshiba got into making some RCAs like the pos VH689HF. Terrible design.

[Blast]

I wonder if the OP still has this VCR. I JUST RECENTLY got all my data exported from the old database that it was in (that I haven't been able to open for about 10-15 years) and imported into Excel. I have records from 1989 to 2001. Predominantly VCR and camcorder but I did work on televisions and audio equipment, as well.

Computer says I worked on 18 VMT395's, all from 1990 to 1992. Three of them were "dead" and required that IC851, a regulator IC, be replaced. Gut feeling says that's what ails the OP's. Or, at least is the first thing I would check if I were in front of the unit.

RCA part number for the regulator IC is 177649. I believe it was a STK pack although I do not know the number.

By the way, the remaining 15 units needed belts, cleaning, a tuning IC in one and a clutch ass'y in another.

The VMT395 is most definitely Hitachi built. 16 of the 18 that I worked on were built middle to late 1986. The remaining two were built very early 1987.

Brian

[Blast]

Many manufacturers branded VCR's for RCA over the years. To the best of my recollection and according to my personal database file:

Panasonic built VCRs for RCA beginning from the very first models in the mid 70's until 1998. However, there may have been a large void between 1983 and 1988. I will do some more research.

There were no Panasonic-built models in 1999, then one Panasonic model in 2000 and that's about the end of my record keeping.

Hitachi made RCA VCRs from 1983 to 1995.

Hope this helps clear up some confusion.

Brian

[Blast]

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

Even Toshiba got into making some RCAs like the pos VH689HF.

Yes. I believe the joint venture with Toshiba was called IVP. International Video Products. VCR's under brand names RCA, GE and ProScan appeared in 1991 and continued until 1997 when the model you indicated, Ed, the VR689HF was made.

Again, my data which I believe (and hope) to be reliable.

Brian