Sanyo Beta VCR problems

[Alfred E. Neuman]

So we've this old Sanyo Beta format VCR. The video quality is excellent.
The audio, however, seems to "flutter." That is to say, if the music in a
video is supposed to be holding a certain frequency, it goes higher, then
lower, then higher, then...

So far we've cleaned the tape path (both manually and with a cleaning
cassette), replaced the pinch roller, and replaced the top idler wheel.

What else do you guys recommend I check out? I've read that too high of
tape tension can cause audio distortion, but I do not know what kind of
distortion they're referring to.

 

[Mark D. Zacharias]

Possible cleaning / lubricating the capstan motor, and / or replacing the
capstan belt, if any?

Mark Z.



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"Alfred E. Neuman" <nospam@spamsucks.edu> wrote in message
news:Xns945F11B009792nospamspamsucksorgNe@216.168.3.44...

So we've this old Sanyo Beta format VCR. The video quality is excellent.
The audio, however, seems to "flutter." That is to say, if the music in a
video is supposed to be holding a certain frequency, it goes higher, then
lower, then higher, then...

So far we've cleaned the tape path (both manually and with a cleaning
cassette), replaced the pinch roller, and replaced the top idler wheel.

What else do you guys recommend I check out? I've read that too high of
tape tension can cause audio distortion, but I do not know what kind of
distortion they're referring to.

 

[b]

"Alfred E. Neuman" <nospam@spamsucks.edu> wrote in message news:<Xns945F11B009792nospamspamsucksorgNe@216.168.3.44>...

So we've this old Sanyo Beta format VCR. The video quality is excellent.
The audio, however, seems to "flutter." (snip)
What else do you guys recommend

if the deck has not been in use for a while the capstan lubrication
may need replacing.

remove capstan spindle from deck. clean with alcohol. re-lube shaft
with fine oil (never WD 40 /spray) and spindle. clean top of capstan
shaft where it contacts tape again once reassembled to remove oil..
dont forget plastic washer on top side of deck which goes round
capstan to stop oil getting to tape. I have used this many times with
good results. mail me if you need any more specific tips!
good luck, Ben

 

[Ken G.]

I believe he is having trouble with the audio trebble responce (( Not
the speed ))

If the audio speed was changing the picture would be affected .

It sounds like the tape is floating up & down on the audio head . look
very close with a flashlight at the tape on the audio head to see if you
can see it moving off track any bit at all . If so try to examine the
parts where the tape rides on both sides of that head .

Also if it is a HI FI deck make sure the Doldy setting is all turned off

 

[Mark D. Zacharias]

Not necessarily, unless the speed change were profound.
You'll hear it in the audio long before you'll see it in the video.

Mark Z.

If the audio speed was changing the picture would be affected .

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"Ken G." <goodguyy@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:9802-3FEF23A5-59@storefull-2315.public.lawson.webtv.net...

I believe he is having trouble with the audio trebble responce (( Not
the speed ))

If the audio speed was changing the picture would be affected .

It sounds like the tape is floating up & down on the audio head . look
very close with a flashlight at the tape on the audio head to see if you
can see it moving off track any bit at all . If so try to examine the
parts where the tape rides on both sides of that head .

Also if it is a HI FI deck make sure the Doldy setting is all turned off

 

[Alfred E. Neuman]

"Alfred E. Neuman" <nospam@spamsucks.edu> wrote in
news:Xns945F11B009792nospamspamsucksorgNe@216.168.3.44:

So we've this old Sanyo Beta format VCR. The video quality is
excellent. The audio, however, seems to "flutter." That is to say,
if the music in a video is supposed to be holding a certain frequency,
it goes higher, then lower, then higher, then...

Also, the sound clears up some after the VCR has been running a while (a
while being around 2 hours or so).

 

[LASERandDVDfan]

Also if it is a HI FI deck make sure the Doldy setting is all turned off

There is no Dolby System on Beta hi-fi decks. Many Beta hi-fi decks have only
monophonic audio for the linear track. Very few, and most are professional
Betamax decks, have linear stereo in addition to Beta hi-fi. The only Beta
deck to have Dolby NR was the Marantz VR-200, and it was linear stereo only.

It sounds like the tape is floating up & down on the audio head . look
very close with a flashlight at the tape on the audio head to see if you
can see it moving off track any bit at all . If so try to examine the
parts where the tape rides on both sides of that head .

I would think that this problem may be due to a cruddy capstan that isn't
allowing the tape to track straight and true across the A/C headstack. This
may also cause tapes to develop creasing on the upper and lower edges if used
on this deck, so this is definitely something that has to be dealt with before
playing any more tapes on it.

 

[LASERandDVDfan]

Also, the sound clears up some after the VCR has been running a while (a
while being around 2 hours or so).

I would say definitely get the capstan mechanism serviced, as well as other
parts if they so require it. This is most likely something that a little good
lube and thorough tape path cleaning (by hand, not by those blasted cleaning
cassettes) will fix without a hitch! - Reinhart