video disc player (CED) problems

[Adam]

I finally found some discs for my CED video disc player, RCA model SFT100W. What it does is play the disc for about 30 seconds, then get stuck, move backwards for a while, then start playing it again until it gets to the same point in the disc, then get stuck and go backwards again, and do it over and over. It does this on all the discs I tried, and I tried about 10, so I don't think the problem is due to bad discs. The rewind and pause functions work, but when I try the fast foward, it moves foward for just a few seconds, then gets stuck.

I found this in the back lot of a used electronic parts store, where it had been sitting outside at the bottom of a heap of junk for probably decades. It was being rained on, as the shifting of the piles of stuff had recently exposed it. The fact that it still works this well I think speaks highly of the quality of these units. Anyway, if anyone who knows these things can point me in the right direction thanks alot. I am hoping to watch the discs on my ctc-15, as the mixture of two seldomly seen anymore devices such as these really appeals to me. Although I suppose watching it on the system 3 would be more accurate as to what these were originally watched on.

[Celt]

Could be anything from a bad stylus, a bad belt or even servo probs. I replaced a stylus in a stereo model back in the 70's and seem to remember the platter and linear tracking arm being belt driven. Dang! That was nearly thirty years ago!

[Nakdoc]

Dang!
Since the problem repeats, I'd blame the arm slider. Needles are cheap and available. I might even have a manual.

[Chad Hauris]

On several of these machines we have found the belts disintegrated and left a tarry substance all over the pulleys...cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (very messy) and new belts fixed the ones we worked on.

[bgadow]

A belt goes bad and the stylus doesn't move, or doesn't move far, and so it just keeps repeating that same section. That's what happened with mine. I still don't have it right, as it skips a lot. The belts I have are not really right.

[andy]

It sounds like the arm is getting stuck, or never moving at all. The arm is moved by a servo mechanism (like a linear tracking turntable). It could be a problem with that circuit, the motor that moves the arm, a belt, a gear, or something obstructing it. It might even be rust, or lack of lubrication.

[wa2ise]

Take a look at http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html

Ever wonder why the CED system bombed, but DVD was successful?

[Celt]

Originally Posted by wa2ise

Ever wonder why the CED system bombed, but DVD was successful?

As I recall, the SelectaVision CED failed in the marketplace for two reasons. a.) You couldn't record on it, whereas VHS/Beta units were becoming commonplace and b.) Finding CED's to buy or rent was difficult. As we all know, everybody seems to be renting or selling DVD's! Ooh! DVD discs and players are very affordable too!

[3Guncolor]

Don't forget about Analog laser disk a better system and it bombed as well.

[Celt]

Originally Posted by 3Guncolor

Don't forget about Analog laser disk a better system and it bombed as well.

Yep...and again, price and availability...plus the average consumer wants a format they can record on. I wonder how many folks are buying DVD recorders for time shifting?

[andy]

Originally Posted by Celt

Yep...and again, price and availability...plus the average consumer wants a format they can record on. I wonder how many folks are buying DVD recorders for time shifting?

Believe it or not, most people aren't interested in recording. Every person I know has a DVD player, but I'm the only one who uses a VCR for recording. Most of my friends don't even have a VCR.

[Eric H]

If I'm not mistaken the DVD is the most successful Electronic product ever?
And why not, fantastic picture, compact size, staggering amount of product available at cheap prices.

Did anyone ever dream they would be able to own entire seasons or entire runs of their favorite shows in a format no bigger than a small book!

[john_w]

I had a player that would skip back on occasion and basically acted like the disc itself had scratches or crud on it. But all my discs were doing that - never made it thru a single disc. It turned out to be a worn out motor, so unfortunately in that case, it was destined for the scrap heap. I hope yours turns out better.

BTW, I later picked up a nice Pioneer LD player that is also a 5 CD changer. (Shweeeeeet!! ) I have yet to see a single skip out of it.

[Celt]

I just realized something about my "time shifting" question. Around here, if you pay the extra bucks for digital cable, you automatically get a HD recorder that's part of the digital tuner they supply you with. But I digress... Wish you luck with your CED player Adam!

[kx250rider]

BELT!!! Been there, done that. Also, be sure to clean out all the old hardened lube, and put some new white grease on the sliding surfaces.

Charles