Need help with Sony monitor - Videokarma.org TV - Video

H2s04 · #1 03-15-2005, 04:28 PM

Hello all,

Over the last few months, I've become very interested in all sorts of early video equipment, namely, 1/2" to 2" VTRs, and I have no way of really operating the several ones I have without a good monitor. I've tried connecting one to a relatvely new panasonic TV, but it was difficult to get the picture right because I had no way of adjusting v.hold, etc.

Anyway! I do have two 8-pin monitors that are literally designed for the job, but they need repair. One is from a 1965 Sony TCV-2010, but it having a ~7" screen, and major vertical hold/size issues, its useless at this point until I restore it. I've tried using it with two different VTRs, and I can't get ANY picture, only static that, when the scan heads rotate, make the picture flutter.

The good: I found a Sony CDP-1310 at the dump about 2 months ago and the only connection it has it for an 8-pin VTR cable

. The bad: I turn it on on my isolated variac, all the cathodes light up, the flyback sounds perfectly healthy (no obvious straining noises), but there is no picture; not even a raster. And when I turn it off, I hear the usual static clicks and such inside. I don't know much about modern television construction, nor do I with vintage, really, but I need help. This monitor has fabulous potential for currentm and future projects, and its build quality is of professional level.

I really need to have this thing working; I'm dying with curiosity to watch these old 1/2" tapes. The monitor from the TCV-2010 provided me with sound, so it seems like they're mostly of old tv broadcasts, but there are also a few home movies as well, so If we (ak members) can get this thing to work, there might be some really neat shots of the mid 60's

Tim · #2 03-15-2005, 07:09 PM

The first step would be to make sure the monitor works. Here is the pinout of the 8 Pin VTR connector. http://freespace.virgin.net/matt.wai...av/8pinvtr.htm

Make a cable that will go from the RCA video and Audio outputs of a VCR or DVD player to the video and audio inputs of the monitor. Play the tape or DVD and see if you have video and/or audio.

What is the make and model of the 1/2" machine you are referring to?

If you were observing vertical problems on the new monitor it is very possible that the monitor is fine and that the VTR is having problems locking to vertical. This can be caused by the loss of all of the lubricant in the tape which causes it to stick to the drum. If this is the case, the tapes may not be recoverable or it will take a lot of effort to make it work.

I may have service manuals for one or both of the monitors. I'll check.

H2s04 · #3 03-15-2005, 11:45 PM

In the tired and seemingly confused state I wrote this earlier, it looks like I left out some details (not trying to be sarcastic).

The -new- (I'm not even going to bother with the old one until summer) monitor is obviously not working; it has no "raster"; there is no light on the screen. period. But all the cathodes light up, and the flyback sounds perfectly normal.

This is why I posted the message to begin with, as I have never seen such a thing happen without usual signs of stress or component failure; everything *appears* to be working, and all Im concerned about right now is trying to get some light on the screen. Sorry if I seem a little bemused, but I just can't figure the darn thing out

.

The model VTR I'm using is a Sony AV-3600. I'll admit, the unit I'm using is really on its last legs; it needs new belts, lubricating, "general calibration" (me poking around inside to see if anything looks suspisicous), and a good cleaning, but this is the only deck so far that I've been able to get a picture on so far (on that panasonic I mentioned earlier). It also still has the ability to
play the tape it self without me having to spin each reel, which is a big plus

.

Heres a shot from september when the deck last sucessfully produced a picture:

***Eric H*** · #4 03-15-2005, 11:52 PM

A monitor will not usually display any raster without a signal. It may be working fine but until it gets something to show it'll stay dark.

H2s04 · #5 03-16-2005, 09:17 PM

wouldn't the signal from the VTR be strong enough?

***Eric H*** · #6 03-16-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2s04

wouldn't the signal from the VTR be strong enough?

Yes, sorry, I thought you hadn't hooked anything to it.

H2s04 · #7 03-17-2005, 04:55 PM

I don't think the monitor is of a time when that sort of feature existed any way, but I thought about that same possibilty when I first started evaluating it; you had a valid point.

H2s04 · #8 03-17-2005, 04:58 PM

Are there any sort of tell-tale symptoms I could look for? Standard readings I could take with a volt meter? I'm in the dark here.

You know, its sort of ironic that someone my age knows comparatively more (but still not that much)about vintage video construction/technology than about the current medium. It just sort of makes me laugh

.

bietcachdu · #9 03-17-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2s04

Hello all,

Over the last few months, I've become very interested in all sorts of early video equipment, namely, 1/2" to 2" VTRs, and I have no way of really operating the several ones I have without a good monitor. I've tried connecting one to a relatvely new panasonic TV, but it was difficult to get the picture right because I had no way of adjusting v.hold, etc.

Anyway! I do have two 8-pin monitors that are literally designed for the job, but they need repair. One is from a 1965 Sony TCV-2010, but it having a ~7" screen, and major vertical hold/size issues, its useless at this point until I restore it. I've tried using it with two different VTRs, and I can't get ANY picture, only static that, when the scan heads rotate, make the picture flutter.

The good: I found a Sony CDP-1310 at the dump about 2 months ago and the only connection it has it for an 8-pin VTR cable

. The bad: I turn it on on my isolated variac, all the cathodes light up, the flyback sounds perfectly healthy (no obvious straining noises), but there is no picture; not even a raster. And when I turn it off, I hear the usual static clicks and such inside. I don't know much about modern television construction, nor do I with vintage, really, but I need help. This monitor has fabulous potential for currentm and future projects, and its build quality is of professional level.

I really need to have this thing working; I'm dying with curiosity to watch these old 1/2" tapes. The monitor from the TCV-2010 provided me with sound, so it seems like they're mostly of old tv broadcasts, but there are also a few home movies as well, so If we (ak members) can get this thing to work, there might be some really neat shots of the mid 60's

....THE CDP1310 YOU GOT, MAY BE FOR COMPUTER DISPAY, WHICH HAS DIFFERENT IN SYNC SYSTEM, AND THE 8 PINS CONNECTOR IS FOR RGB AND SYNC INPUT, THERE ARE OTHER MONITOR ALSO HAVE 8 PINS INPUT FOR VIDEO AND AUDIO INPUT FROM VTR, BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE.. NO RASTER BECAUSE THE MONITOR CANNOT DETECTED PROPER SYNC SIGNAL, HENCE THE BEAM IS CUT OFF NO DISPLAY.... BY THE WAY...WHAT 1/2" TAPE? ARE THE REEL TO REEL B&W VTR TAPE?

kc8adu · #10 03-17-2005, 08:22 PM

iirc that 1310 is a multisync and may work on the rgb on the vtr.
if you want to cheat crank up thr g2/screen and see if it makes a raster.
that monitor defaults to 15.7 khz h and goes up to 35.2 for svga.

Stlouisian · #11 03-17-2005, 10:36 PM

H2s04,

Are you familiar with LabGuy's web page at, http://www.labguysworld.com/ ? I have talked to him periodically. He has tons of information on your Sony AV-3600. I have several of the Sony open reel B&W and one color deck. Do you have to have the model you described? I have a few monitors myself. One is even an old Concord monitor that picks up regular TV stations as well being a monitor. Likely you can also record TV shows from it. The monitor is B&W and has about an 8" CRT. I think it was made in the early 1970's. I also have a panasonic and NEC monitor that were made in the 1980's that both have the 8 pin VTR connector. If you want more information about old VRT's you can contact LabGuy or myself.

[email protected]

Ross