Aiwa Multisystem VCR

[Outland]

I picked up an Aiwa NTSC/PAL/SECAM VCR HV-MG360. I had been looking for one to play my PAL tapes here in the US.

When I turned it on, it operated fine. It ejected the tape with a little help but the tape was eaten so I had to thread it out to remove the cassette.

To get this unit going, I’m thinking of changing the belts. Is there anything else I should do before I start putting in tapes? Is this a good multisystem VCR?

[Chip Chester]

Clean the heads and tape path.

[Electronic M]

Don't run any good tapes till you know the mech issues are fixed.

[Outland]

Thanks! Will do.

[Ed in Tx]

I always initially check VCRs with a "dummy" tape, a video cassette that has the tape and reels removed and the clear windows removed. With that I can load it into the VCR reach in and feel the reels when they are supposed to be turning to make sure there's enough takeup or supply reel drive torque to move the tape and retract it back into the cassette upon unload. Some decks will have reel sensors on both TU and Supply reels so you may have move one reel usually the supply with a finger.

[colorfixer]

There are probably a couple of idler tires that have either gone dry or are worn. BITD we used to turn them inside out for a quick fix. I can't remember if Akai machines had belts or not. Does this machine have the digital standards converter built in?

[Outland]

Yes it does thanks. I’m going to try cleaning it soon. It’s not an Akai, it’s an Aiwa.

[Outland]

Does anyone know if there's a belt kit available for this Aiwa HV-MG360? I could not find one, so I may have to measure the belts and order by measurement.

[mr_rye89]

I have a Samsung multi system VCR that might be the OEM version of that Aiwa. I'll check it out when I get home.

[Outland]

Thank you.

[mr_rye89]

Mine (Samsung SV-5000W) doesn't have a loading belt, just a big one that goes between the capstan and the reel tables

[mr_rye89]

Pictures attached

[Outland]

Thanks that’s good information. Was the mech easy to disassemble? Looks like a pretty standard belt.

[mr_rye89]

Yeah that mech is easy to pull. 3-4 screws on top, 2 underneath the VCR, 3-4 ribbon cables (careful!) and the video drum, erase head, capstan motor, have pins that go into headers on the main PC board, careful not to bend those. I didn't measure the belt, but it looks like a 3mm square belt. But it would eat a tape if that belt snapped/loosened/melted off.

I'm not sure if the Aiwa ones are made by Samsung, I thought I read that somewhere, so yours may be different.

[John Adams]

I think Wikipedia has history as to who owned the Aiwa name and when. Sony owned the name for 10 years or more. I have a 1999 Aiwa home theater receiver and it appears to have come from Sony’s plant in Malaysia. Sorry, but don’t know who built the VCRs for them.