I had just discovered this forum that was directly related to video so thought to start the first post with a question.

I was looking at one of these on Ebay and was thinking about getting one to do some video restoration work on some of the tapes I have and I need a high quality deck to get the job done.

The seller on one of the decks mentioned that the deck gave a code 33 which would mean according to the manual 'FAILURE UNLOADING' which says that the tape can't unload so all of the controls are inoperative. I am not sure if this code indicates a mechanical or logic (circuit) problem.

If this deck was repairable I would consider getting it and having it serviced, but I don't know where or who I could have it serviced at.

Thanks for any help. :)

Your best bet for repair is a pro video place, which you can probably find thru JVCs dealer network... if JVC is still around?

You might check to see if that machine is a multi-speed machine. Many editors are not --- they're SP only. The JVC will do VHS-C if needed.

If you only need SP, you might look at the Panasonic 7750. They're great machines, with much more responsive tape handling than the clunky JVC. Built-in TBC with controls, too.

If you need multispeed, check out the Panasonic 1970/1980 machines. Sort of industrial, not full-on pro edit, but multispeed and a basic TBC.

I've used both of these extensively, and they're good to tapes and worth repairing, if you still need tape.

Chip

Your best bet for repair is a pro video place, which you can probably find thru JVCs dealer network... if JVC is still around?

You might check to see if that machine is a multi-speed machine. Many editors are not --- they're SP only. The JVC will do VHS-C if needed.

If you only need SP, you might look at the Panasonic 7750. They're great machines, with much more responsive tape handling than the clunky JVC. Built-in TBC with controls, too.

If you need multispeed, check out the Panasonic 1970/1980 machines. Sort of industrial, not full-on pro edit, but multispeed and a basic TBC.

I've used both of these extensively, and they're good to tapes and worth repairing, if you still need tape.

Chip

You're correct, from what I read on the BR-822U its an SP deck only but I do have alot of tapes recorded in that format so it would suit it just fine. I've always read that the JVC deck did a pretty decent job in cleaning up the tapes.

I have considered the 1980 for the EP tapes and I have one of the decks in my watch list....I still may just get one of those.

Haven't heard about the Panny 7750, I'll check that out.

As far as the JVC deck is concerned, the seller is willing to let me have the 822U deck for $99 so if I was able to find a good pro shop that specialized in those decks it may be worthwhile. Or could still look at other options as well.

I'm not sure about the S822U, but if it's anything like my S811U, the transport mechanism is pretty easy to work on. Just pop off the top cover, and it's all accessible right there. It's probably just a gummed up mechanism, or possibly a stuck sensor switch, and there's a good chance you can get it going again just with some alcohol, q-tips and a bit of lithium grease.

In fact, if you can find a service manual for it, it'll detail all the maintenance procedures like that, as well as test points and such in case there's some electrical problem (and all the electronics are on removable cards). As you might expect from what was originally a multi-thousand dollar pro-class deck, the things were designed to be repairable.

The only "neat" feature of the 822U is that it can take VHS-C tapes without an adapter. Keep in mind that the 822U did NOT come with a Time-Base corrector standard, which would be the whole point of getting a deck for video restoration. They also lack standard S-Video connectors.

Most of the ebay pro VTRs are missing parts, and are usually beat to crap. Repairing one would quickly rack up expensive bills. I would never buy a pro deck without a readout of the hours meters. That being said, if you must have a pro deck, look at the Panasonic AG-DS840/850 or the AG-DS545/555. Both have excellent built in TBCs with drop out compensation.

Most people are better served by units like the Panasonic AG-1980 (which has its fair share of "issues", mostly related to bad capacitors), the JVC SVHS decks equipped with the Digipure TBC or their later DVHS decks.

A list of these decks can be found here: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-restore/1567-vcr-buying-guide.html

I personally own a AG-1980 (mostly for tough to track EP tapes and VHS-C playback), a JVC HR-S7800U, and a JVC SR-VD400 (pro version of the HM-DH40000U) DVHS deck for video restoration work and can attest to their tape playback capabilities.

Oh and the golden rule of ebay VCR buying... never pay more then $50 for an "untested/as-is" deck, because its likely broken. VHS tapes are very common, so the excuse of "unable to test" is just that.

The only "neat" feature of the 822U is that it can take VHS-C tapes without an adapter. Keep in mind that the 822U did NOT come with a Time-Base corrector standard, which would be the whole point of getting a deck for video restoration. They also lack standard S-Video connectors.

Most of the ebay pro VTRs are missing parts, and are usually beat to crap. Repairing one would quickly rack up expensive bills. I would never buy a pro deck without a readout of the hours meters. That being said, if you must have a pro deck, look at the Panasonic AG-DS840/850 or the AG-DS545/555. Both have excellent built in TBCs with drop out compensation.

Most people are better served by units like the Panasonic AG-1980 (which has its fair share of "issues", mostly related to bad capacitors), the JVC SVHS decks equipped with the Digipure TBC or their later DVHS decks.

A list of these decks can be found here: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-restore/1567-vcr-buying-guide.html

I personally own a AG-1980 (mostly for tough to track EP tapes and VHS-C playback), a JVC HR-S7800U, and a JVC SR-VD400 (pro version of the HM-DH40000U) DVHS deck for video restoration work and can attest to their tape playback capabilities.

Oh and the golden rule of ebay VCR buying... never pay more then $50 for an "untested/as-is" deck, because its likely broken. VHS tapes are very common, so the excuse of "unable to test" is just that.

Thanks for the tips and advice, much appreciated. I decided to forgo the BR-S822U deck and I went with getting the Panasonic DS850...I also got the 840 as well so I should be getting that soon.

I also am eyeing the AG-1980 on Ebay from a seller that lives only 4 hours away from me and says that the display is nice and bright (so seemingly good caps). This may be the last pro unit to add to my arsenal with the Sony SLV-R1000 and the AG-DV2000 decks so should have everything I need to do my video work on (minus an external TBC).

Ah, yes, ebay 1980... but does it come with the factory edit control console? :)

Chip

I also am eyeing the AG-1980 on Ebay from a seller that lives only 4 hours away from me and says that the display is nice and bright (so seemingly good caps). This may be the last pro unit to add to my arsenal with the Sony SLV-R1000 and the AG-DV2000 decks so should have everything I need to do my video work on (minus an external TBC).

Don't rely on the display to tell if its functional, its only one part of the surprisingly complex machine. Many of these machines can have playback issues regardless.

Ah, yes, ebay 1980... but does it come with the factory edit control console? :)

Chip

The AG-A96 edit controller can usually be found for a whole $8-10 on ebay. Its not fancy like the AG-A850 thats typically paired with the AG-DS decks, but its certainly convenient when you don't have the AG-1980's remote that always seems to go missing. If you do wish to have a remote, any late 90's Panasonic will work, like those "light tower" ones.

$10 on ebay, and worth every penny. But it doesn't hold a candle to a Bosch Mach One...

Chip