Earlier this year I finished by VHS transfers project and no longer need these two pieces of equipment.
Provenance:
1. Panasonic AG-1980 $1200 OBO
Purchased refurbished from TGrant in January 2020. This unit does not have a remote, but it does have the power cable, an S-video cable, a composite A/V cable, instruction manual, and SVHS demo tape.
I used this to digitize home/school VHS tapes recorded at SP and LP, as well as VHS-C tapes using the Panasonic PlayPak adapter. The unit had no tracking issues with any of the tapes.
The unit developed an issue loading tapes in January 2023 so I sent it back to TGrant. He remarked that "this was probably the cleanest AG1980 that I've had in for repair", and reported the following:
- The thread motor and associated gear were broken - replaced with proprietary design "K-grip" motor
- The mechanism clutch was working poorly - replaced with a good condition clutch
- The front display was starting to get dim - replaced some weak capacitors
- The mechanism was taken out and the moving parts were inspected and lubricated. The capstan bearings are still in near-to-new shape
- The video heads are in very good shape, and still performing well on a variety of test tapes
- Six capacitors in the main circuit board were starting to age - replaced those with new capacitors
After the unit was returned to me there was an intermittent cassette flip-down door problem. I sent it back and TGrant replaced the mechanism and flip-down door. Since then I was able to complete my project with no issues.
2. Keywest Tech BigVoodoo BV-TBC-10 $1500 OBO
Purchased from Lord Smurf in January 2021, refurbished by him: "rare early BV-TBC-10 (essentially green AVT-8710 with some TBC-1000 properties)". I used for both the TBC as well as the proc amp to adjust contrast prior to digitization. Comes with the matched power supply. No issues at all with the unit.
I can add photos of units in operation if there is interest - right now they are boxed up in the shipping boxes so it will take me some time to unbox and reconnect them.
I'm hesitant to do anything but ship to continental US destinations for delicate electronics but open to advice.