Restore fading front display on VCR?

[AMG-Power]

A few days ago I was watching Youtube.
Saw a repair video of a guy fixing a VCR found in the dumpster.
Dude let it sit and dry from damp for some time and then start to fix the player.
He took it apart and the front face removed

Before the video ended repair guy shared some nice info about fading front display.
We'll know that old VCR displays looks like cr@p when they start to fade.
Displays are filled with vacuum and attract dust from inside the player.
Repair guy said to take a lint free cloth and start wiping the display clean the inside of the front face.
Seen from the YT video, the display illuminated much brighter.

Have you tried this fix and what was the outcome?
Did you notice any improvement?

[themaster1]

Peep this video for a real display repair: https://mega.nz/file/uJInibZS#RNPenU...iYG816Hy8l0z5M

other video (even better)
https://mega.nz/file/GVBjQBbA#XuI2l9...4Rgf8fsJUUcKv8

[AMG-Power]

Quote:

Originally Posted by themaster1

Peep this video for a real display repair: https://mega.nz/file/uJInibZS#RNPenU...iYG816Hy8l0z5M

other video (even better)
https://mega.nz/file/GVBjQBbA#XuI2l9...4Rgf8fsJUUcKv8

I will check it out

[AMG-Power]

I watched both videos.
They were really interesting.

When display starts fading most time problem is in the power supply with bad caps?
First video showed a Sony with a dead display and it was replaced with working display after he fixed the broken wire not giving power.
Second video had a much easier repair, only replacing a bad cap and soldering a jumper.

I guess repair guy should always check power supply for leaky caps which causes displays to go weak?

[latreche34]

In most cases fading is caused by an aging tube, Sometimes it's the power supply or capacitors, depends, it's really case by case scenario.

[AMG-Power]

All electronics are aging.

My Pioneer laserdisc still has a sharp display compared to my VCR's.

One of the VCR's from 1999 has an eco function, in the menu system I can set the display to OFF.
I keep it off all the time, I think it could save the display for many years?
It still illuminates bright it hasn't shown any fading yet.

[latreche34]

It's the phosphor that decays, You would notice that segments that are used too much are faded and the segments that are rarely used they are more bright, that's when you know it's the tube itself. Electronics affect the entire VFD as a whole.

[AMG-Power]

Two of my players have fading displays, the third player is still running strong like a champ.
It will go bad eventually, time will tell

[latreche34]

I have a FTA HD satellite receiver that had the front panel faded to the point where I can no longer read it in daylight, I had a brand new VFD display that I bought for it that sat in the cabinet for almost 5 years, about two years ago I decided to put it on, requires de-soldering and soldering about 40 pins, If I hadn't bought that part when they were still available I would never be able to find it now since they are obsolete.

This is the display now in bright daylight:

[AMG-Power]

Yes, it looks so much nicer when display is sharp

When I get my new super-vhs player and hook it up for the first time to test it out.
When player is not in use if I unplug it, is display kept safe without going to fade?
I know caps and display are going bad with age but if player is kept unplugged when not in use, perhaps I could pro-long displays life ??

[latreche34]

Yes, the less it's lit the more life you get out of it, kind of like a candle.

[AMG-Power]

Only plugged in and power on when in use.
Seems like the new player has a switch on/off button for display?
I have to check this when I get my player.