RCA Selectavision model VKT385 VHS VCR issue

[Blast]

Originally Posted by B 4204 T3

Here is my question: If the VCR has an issue with the control track or the heads, then would it be an easy fix, or do I need to buy a service manual to do the job? The only service manual I can find for sale for this VCR is very expensive, so I don't know if I should buy it.

To answer your question, I don't know. But, in the mean time? I'd pick the the "easy/cheap fix" first. Read on.

Originally Posted by B 4204 T3

A few times, the tapes played in SLP for a few seconds at the very beginning of the tape, but then corrected itself & began playing at SP or LP. Last night, I played a homemade tape recorded at SLP, and it played perfectly.

To your observation that, "tapes played in SLP for a few seconds", I will assume that these recording(s) were NOT ones recorded on the subject. And, further, that they were recordings made on other machines. So...

For the reason that you say, "Last night, I played a homemade tape recorded at SLP, and it played perfectly.", I would respond that a self-recording that shows no rec/pb issues (whereas a recording made on another VCR does) speaks volumes for a possible a/ctl track alignment issue (on the subject VCR).

To help rule out any said alignment issues take a paper towel loaded with Windex and thoroughly clean the a/ctl trk head. Up, down, back and forth, over and over... for about 30 seconds. Then, be sure and follow up with your "regular" head cleaner (i.e. clean the crappy Windex off).

Now, did that fix the said "tapes played in SLP (that were recorded on another VCR?) for a few seconds" issue?

If not, then you should confirm that the a/ctl trk head is properly aligned to a reference standard tape.

How are you going to find this reference standard tape? I'm not sure. But, it MIGHT BE this "other" machine (that I believe you may have spoke of) could make them. ??? Maybe that's your tool. ??? You're going to have to decide. It might be that those "prerecorded tapes of Hollywood movies" you mentioned are suitable "reference standards".

If you know of another properly aligned Hitachi built VCR (because not every manufacturer had similar ideas of alignment - a topic for yet another discussion - but even ANY other VCR might prove to be a suitable <cough> 'reference standard' VCR) that shines in terms of alignment I would make a tape on it and call it your "reference standard". Would I advise you align your VCR to it? Are there any lawyers present?

To summarize, as I said a few paragraphs up, a VCR that plays back its own recordings, better than recordings from other machines, may not have a correctly aligned a/ctl trk head (i.e. aligned to the real world 'reference standard' <cough>).

Here's another tip: I wouldn't screw around messing with the alignment of an a/ctl trk head that you didn't know wasn't screwed around with in the first place. Unless you're ready to unscrew it back.

Hope any of that helps.