80s Funai-made VCR, erratic speed in SP mode?

[PhilcoSearch]

I've been working on a Multitech MV-080, which is a 2-head HQ mono VCR that was made by Funai in the mid 80s. There are several functionally similar or rebadged versions of this same unit inlcuding the Symphonic 5200, Teac MV-350, Funai SVG-2000, etc., so hopefully someone on here has seen this problem before.

It sounds like the drum motor speed is fluctuating up and down regularly in SP mode, whether recording or playing. When playing commercially released VHS tapes, the picture comes up for half a second and goes noisy in a regular cycle and the audio is slow and warbly. It will record in SP and play it's own recordings normally, but they display the same periodic noise when played on a good machine. It records LP and EP (SLP) correctly and those recordings play fine on a known good VCR.

I tried a couple fixes already including replacing the pinch roller. I'm just a hobbyist, but using a service manual from one of the clones of this machine, my best guess is that one of the ICs in the servo circuit has gone bad. There was actually a handwritten note in the manual from a past technician about replacing one particular op-amp IC to solve a similar speed problem, so I found a replacement and tried that to no avail. I thought about getting a parts machine to try replacing the more hard-to-find ICs through trial and error, but I wondered if there might be a simpler explanation? I thought maybe caps, but the few I tested were still good and the power supply voltages are fine. Any insight would be appreciated. **Edit - I should mention I did replace all the belts as well.

[pac.attack76]

Funai? I'll tell you what I would do with that. I've always avoided cheap junk. Wouldn't even bother a repair on one of those.

[PhilcoSearch]

Cool, thanks. Anyway, it ended up being a bad transistor providing the Power On +5V to the servo circuit (Q803). Easy fix!

I'm fully aware this was a cheap VCR when it was new and is objectively worthless now. Nobody needs to use a VCR anymore. I buy and fix things because of their nostalgic value to me as well as the joy of figuring out how to make something broken work again. Why bother commenting if that's all you have to say?

[pac.attack76]

I comment because some people actually do not know. I wouldn't work on a cheap vcr. There are enough good quality units out there worth saving. As for the comment that no one needs to use a vcr anymore, you will find out on here that what you said is incorrect. I have over 1200 vhs plus several VCRs and I use them all the time. You'll also find several other members here that collect vhs.

[Electronic M]

Depending on where you live it can be easy to become a VCR snob. About 15 years ago the part of Florida I lived in saw so few decks come up second hand that if you needed one you took any working crap you could find and tried to keep it alive. Then I moved where I live now and for a few years about 5 years ago every thrift on any given day would have 20-60 decks on the shelf with stock changing constantly...Under those conditions, you start to skim the cream (S-VHS decks, top loaders and Betamax). I think I've kept my little collection of VHS machines under 30 which doesn't steal too much room from vacuum-tube gear that is more my speed.

[pac.attack76]

There's not very many around anymore. Occasionally, one will turn up. Usually a decent name brand. There has been a couple symphonics and something like sv2000 but I avoid those. I have several all working units like RCA and zenith. The only exception I've made is a couple TV's with a built in vcr. I generally hated those but with them being off the market, it may pay in the end to have a couple.

[PhilcoSearch]

Not trying to ruffle any feathers, I was just put off by the unnecessary gatekeeping. I know there are plenty of better units out there worth saving; last year I found and repaired a Sony SLV-R1000 that's obviously miles better than the one I asked about in this thread. Unfortunately I don't have the time, money, or space for 20 VCRs in my apartment and I chose the Multitech because it's the same model I had growing up and it gives me good memories to use it. I'm sure I'm not the only person here who sometimes chooses to fix things based on emotion and not logic.

[dishdude]

I find the 80's off brand VCRs to be interesting. Panasonic was everywhere, so it's cool to see the Funai, Goldstar, Samsung and Daewoo stuff still out there.

[waltchan]

Funai VCRS made before 1992 used Shintom-made chassis mechanism. They were pretty reliable and dependable rated good by Consumer Reports on VCR reliability, actually, but had big problems with belts wearing down quick. Fisher was the worst of the worst VCR brand at that time.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by PhilcoSearch

Cool, thanks. Anyway, it ended up being a bad transistor providing the Power On +5V to the servo circuit (Q803). Easy fix!

Im glad it was an easy fix......

I have the opposite problem..... In LP and SLP it doesnt play well (Lines,cant adjust tracking) but thankfully SP works fine..........

Im gonna have to take it off and look at her... Could just be dirty heads??? (It started happening after watching a bunch of SLP tapes I bought off ebay (I didnt use it for a few days after that and then it was doing it))


Im glad your unit is working good Philco!!

[PhilcoSearch]

Thanks Dude, sounds like you're on the right track - dirty heads is the most likely explanation if it just started happening after you were watching old tapes in unknown condition.

[Dude111]

Yea after 4 days of watching them,scanning thru them and then the unit wasnt used........

I do love my VCR

[liammc00]

In my opinion funai made VCR from 1991 and older were some of the best made. Funai used to build good quality stuff before the went to China and the quality was nonexistent