I used Labelle 106 because it was what I had on hand at the time. I don't really know if it is the proper stuff for the job tough it did seem to help.

I'm convinced that my late-80s Sanyo VCR will never die. It's built like a tank.

1986 Sanyo VHR-1900 4-Head Hi-Fi VHS VCR...
 

I have this Sanyo VHR-1900 model also. This was Sanyo's first and oldest VHS VCR model with 4-Head, Hi-Fi stereo feature, manufactured in 1986. It has this really unique large Hi-Fi LED audio level meter display placed directly on top of the cassette tray door (see attached photo below), and the door flips downward. Despite it's skeptical looks, this model is definitely far more reliable than the Fisher models.

I have two working spare reel motors for it, but I decide to keep both of them, as I plan to use this model for the next 20-30 years in service.

The owner that regularly sells VCR belt-kits at studiosoundelectronics.com successfully confirm the "Sanyo" brand as being the most-reliable "famous-brand" VHS VCR manufacturer in the world, based on their 30-year average repair-rate trend. His statement encourages me to hang on to my Sanyo VHR-1900 longer. The #1 most-reliable VHS VCR manufacturer in the world is actually Shintom, but no one has heard of this company. Sanyo is #2.

Studio Sound Electronics preferred rankings on 1980s units...
 

(Copied from Magnetic/Tape forum...)

I e-mailed Studio Sound Electronics, the largest online VCR part-store, on his opinion on 1980s to 1993 VHS VCR reliability, and he sent me this:

FEWER REPAIRS
<<<<<

01 -- Toshiba/RCA/GE/ProScan (most-reliable)
02 -- Shintom/Multitech/Toshiba
03 -- Funai/Symphonic/Multitech/TEAC/XR-1000
04 -- Panasonic/Quasar/Canon/GE/Magnavox/JCPenny/RCA/Sylvania
05 -- Sanyo/Sears
06 -- NEC/Marantz/Yamaha
07 -- Sharp/Montgomery Ward/Signature 2000
08 -- JVC/Zenith/Kenwood
09 -- Orion/Emerson/Broksonic/Sansui/TMK
10 -- Samsung/RCA/GE/Toshiba
11 -- Sony
12 -- Hitachi/RCA/GE/ProScan/Sears
13 -- Mitsubishi/MGA/Video Concepts
14 -- GoldStar/Zenith/LXI/JCPenny/Totevision/
15 -- Daewoo/Capehart/Daytron
16 -- Fisher (least-reliable)

>>>>>
MORE REPAIRS

Toshiba/RCA/GE/ProScan were the most-reliable, while Fisher was the least-reliable. Would all of you (as techs) find this (his rankings) more preferable and accurate?

Studio Sound Electronics preferred rankings on 1990s units...
 

(Copied from Magnetic/Tape forum...)

I e-mailed Studio Sound Electronics, the largest online VCR part-store, on his opinion on 1994 to 2005 VHS VCR reliability, and he sent me this:

FEWER REPAIRS
<<<<<

01 -- Sanyo (most-reliable)
02 -- Shintom/Toshiba/Sony
03 -- Fisher
04 -- Hitachi
05 -- Orion/Emerson/Broksonic/Sansui
06 -- Mitsubishi
07 -- Sharp/Admiral
08 -- Samsung/RCA/GE/Samtron/Toshiba
09 -- Panasonic/Quasar/GE/Memorex/RCA
10 -- Funai/Symphonic/Hitachi/Philips-Magnavox/Sylvania
11 -- Toshiba/RCA/GE/ProScan
12 -- JVC/Marantz/Philips-Magnavox
13 -- Sony
14 -- GoldStar/JCPenny/LXI/Allegro/Zenith
15 -- Daewoo/Audiovox/Emerson/Fisher/GE/RCA/Sanyo (least-reliable)

>>>>>
MORE REPAIRS

Sanyo was the most-reliable, while Daewoo/Audiovox/Emerson/Fisher/GE/RCA/Sanyo were the least-reliable. Would all of you (as techs) find this (his rankings) more preferable and accurate?

I don't know what the consensus is on Sanyos from the early '80s, but my VCR 4500 seems to be one of those tanks. I got it for $10 from a junk shop a few years ago, and low-and-behold it still worked! All it needed were new belts and an idler tire. The picture isn't stunning, but what can you expect for a 29 year old Beta-deck with an unknown history? Has played great from day one and I even have recorded on it a few times.

I have a Sanyo beta deck from '83 and it too works great, like you said not the best picture but still looks good.

I've seen a Fisher (re-badged Sanyo) almost like the with the VU meters on the cassette door.. That one is a neat on, with the tape indicator..

My VCR 4650(betamax) is such a tank of an machine that I did not hesitate to snag a second beat up unit for cheap. Low and behold the beat up one works just like the good one without me even having to open the case! Now that is engineering and build quality right there!

I heard Toshiba Beta was the the most-reliable Beta VCR brand. Can anyone verify? If Toshiba VHS rated higher in reliability than Sanyo, chances are, Toshiba Beta was also more reliable than Sanyo.

:nono::thumbsdn:its rebadget panasonic

Within one years time I found two Slimline Sony Betamax SL-30 and a SL-S600 and all of them needed no repairs what so ever and worked fine.. But of course you can't compare 30+ y/o technology to today's.. All i know most anything made today won't last 30 years like a VCR made 30 years ago..

I remember seeing one of those Hi-Fi Fishers with the VU meters on the tape door back in the 90s at a flea market. That was the last I saw one.. I run into a stereo unit here and there..

I love my VCR and record player bud and i think they are MUCH BETTER!!! (Better audio,more accurate colours,etc)

Analogue IS AND ALWAYS WAS BETTER!!!! (And always will be in my opinion)

Another Sanyo VCR-4500 household here. Besides the occasional belt and idler replacement, its been a tank after years of recording and playback. I recently picked up a VCR-6400 (4 head version of the 4500) and all it needs is... belts and a idler. The Betaphiles HATE these decks because they don't play B-I speed, un-thread the tape every time you push STOP, and the video quality is so-so. They are miles ahead more reliable then their Sony counterparts though and seem to track all my problem tapes without issue.

I said it before and I'll say it again. The NEC, had to be the worst Beta VCR ever.
A friend of my niece has a Sanyo Beta VCR, that he is giving away. I agreed to take it. I don't remember the Sanyo's that well.