JVC HR-S3800u horrible picture?

rphase · #1 03-12-2023, 05:45 PM

I picked up a partially working super vhs player (jvc hr-s3800u) for cheap and figured I'd take my chances with it and if it doesn't work out I'll just sell it as is for parts. I'll add a video capture of what playback looks like, enjoy my childhood friends capture of some halo 2. The tape plays fine on a known working vcr.

It powers on and functions in all regards but the picture is jumping, lines, flickering, black and white (sometimes color), will go full blue occasionally for a few seconds, color shows on pause/ff/rw, I've tried cleaning the heads, guide posts etc. I have very minorly tested altering the guide posts but didn't notice any improvement and returned them to the position they started in. Audio comes through fine. If its the head actually gone bad in some way or an electrical issue that's likely out of my scope for repair as I don't have the experience or equipment. Any thoughts?

latreche34 · #2 03-12-2023, 06:08 PM

Are you fast forwarding the tape? Becuase if you are not it looks like you have a bad capstan motor control board.

rphase · #3 03-12-2023, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Are you fast forwarding the tape? Becuase if you are not it looks like you have a bad capstan motor control board.

yes sorry i didn't specify. the recording starts out in sp, thats whats playing in black and white. i then pause, fastforward, pause, rewind, pause.

rphase · #4 03-12-2023, 09:01 PM

Now it seems to stop playing any video at all during play, it's just blue screen. I can get the picture still to show during ff/rw/pause and the picture will be present and very snowy for a few seconds after resuming play but it then just goes to pure blue. Audio is still fine. I also noticed the head drum seems to be making a humming noise. Not sure if thats normal. It can only be heard when the tape is playing and goes away if paused. attached example.

latreche34 · #5 03-12-2023, 09:23 PM

Sounds like an electronic issue, check 12voltvids YT channel, he fixed many JVC S-VHS VCRs, You'll probably come accross the same fault.

rphase · #6 03-12-2023, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Sounds like an electronic issue, check 12voltvids YT channel, he fixed many JVC S-VHS VCRs, You'll probably come accross the same fault.

I've been binging some of his vids but ill keep looking, thanks for the reply