Philips VCR (N1500, N1700)

[larschr]

I got 3 of these players yesterday. One of them is a N1500, probably the first real home video recorder. It runs, but i can´t get a picture. All tape transport functions works, except the tape lacing which i have to to by hand. The transport functions are mechanically operated. It is driven by two mains-powered brushless AC motors, the same kind as used in record players. One for the head drum and one for the rest. In other words, the speed are constant. To control the speed, two metal discs are place on the head drum and capstan drive shaft and a coil is used as a speed brake. This machine should be in repairable condition. The picture problem may be a faulty modulator, but it also has a DIN video in/out which i will try when i can get the right adapter for it. When it comes to the tape lacing system, i know i saw a repair-guide for it somewhere on the internet, but where? The power system is some odd split-supply design. There are two live and two neutral wires connected to the mains socket, and there are even two voltage selectors! It appears that there are mains voltage "everywhere" inside the unit. The motors and the mechanical clock are mains powered, and there are two transformers in there. When you press "Stop" tho motors continue running. After about a minute an electro magnet hits the "Off"-switch and the player shuts off. The two other buttons on the top are a "Color killer", and one that i don´t really know what is for, but it probably has something to do with the audio level meter on the front panel. The group of 6 buttons on the right side of the player is the CH selector. The two controls on the left side of the front panel is tracking and audio volume.