Akai VS-1U info

[JamesJ]

howdy-
new here and looking for info on an Akai VS-1U VCR machine. It is in excellent condition with the wired remote. I picked this up recently and before I tear into it, I would like a little guidance. I have some experience and ability with receivers and turntables, but none on VCR units.

Any resource for service manuals? Anyone know if new belts are available and how many does this unit need?

It fast forwards fine, reverse one end doesn't seem to keep up with the other and play is noisy- seems like the tape is moving ok, but the head mech is not engaging completely??? I have not hooked it up to a TV, just powered up and wanted to see if it worked at all.

Thanks in advance for any help/info- Jackson

[Ed in Tx]

I think that's made by JVC, equivalent to the JVC HR-7300U, and there are a few belt kits still around, one now on ebay. No affiliation whatsoever.

[JamesJ]

Thanks- will follow up Jackson

[Blast]

I agree with Ed. But thought I would add that somewhere in my past I correlated those Akai and JVC models with a Tatung VRH8200.

So... yeah, that an a quarter...

[waltchan]

Akai built their own VCRs starting with 1985 models.