Datavideo TBC 3000 power supply, maintenance?

[Gary34]

My datavideo tbc 3000 has been used for a month since it was originally bought. It’s been kept in someone’s home office that whole time and it’s never been shipped from person to person.
I was going to use the original power adapter but then I saw that it’s not the best for the unit because it doesn’t have enough amps and I should use.

TGrant replacement: http://www.tgrantphoto.com/sales/ind...put-12v-dc-15a

Is there anything anything else besides the power supply and the battery backup that I should get get to better maintain this TBC?

[lordsmurf]

What exactly do you have currently?

TGrants information on DataVideo TBC power supplies is not accurate, and he's sent out no-name junk Chinese adapters in the past. FYI, that picture on his site is one of those junk adapters. That Chinese garbage injects noise into the signal, cyclical patterns, due to crap/nothing for shielding.

These are what DataVideo used:
- SCP57-91500, 9V 1.5A, center-positive (OEM supplied)
- SCP48-91200, 9V 1.2A, center-positive (OEM supplied)

But neither of those is readily available, and old if located.

These work well:
- Polaroid DSA-20R-12 FUS, 9V 2A, center-positive, 100-240V
- Amigo AM-91000, 9V 1A, center-positive

... but you must be careful, as those have multiple tip types/sizes, sometimes different polarities, and you don't want a faulty unit to zap the TBC.

The Polaroid/Amigo are mostly used by routers/switches, such as EnGenius and Linksys, that use 9V AC adapters. But again, multiple tips and even polarity type on those.

Never by a "for" adapter. As in, "for AM-91000" (eBay, Amazon, etc, even Newegg) is fake Chinese junk.

I usually have some extras, and you can PM me about it. Right now, I have 1 for TBC-3000. I generally keep a stash of 12V and 5V for the other TBCs, both negative and positive, both for myself and for others that contact me. Only a few items use 9V.

I don't want to see that TBC of yours get ruined!

[Gary34]

I shouldn’t use the original adapter I have that came with the unit right?

This is it.

Anyways I’ll get the rest of everything in December then all finally start in January. I’ll read up more till then. Thank you.

[lordsmurf]

There's no reason to attach a high res image (in a zip) of an AC adapter. Reattach to the post as an image I can quickly look at on my tablet.

[Gary34]

Good point.

[lordsmurf]

That's the OEM adapter. Use that.

[Gary34]

Alright thanks.

[wild_bill_az]

I have a follow-up question...
Would the attached power adapter model SP48-121000 work in the datavideo TPC-3000?

[Gary34]

Mine works but other peoples probably won’t. My power supply is the one that came with the unit originally. Those usually don’t last. The guy I got mine from (as far as I know) barely used it. The power supply never got ruined like everyone else’s. Mine seems completely transparent. The TBC 3000s are more sensitive to the grid than a 1000. Datavideo gear in general is sensitive to the power grid. I live in the country too so my UPS doesn’t even kick on all that often even though it’s set to sensitive.

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vid...000-noise.html

The kind of strange thing about when we start talking about if this gear or that gear is better is that most people besides Lordsmurf have only worked with there gear so they don’t really have anything to compare it to. That includes me but that’s especially true with the DVD pass through people. Ya kinda have to take all that with a grain of salt unless you are talking to someone who has worked with a lot of different gear and really knows how to compare and what to look for.

I wouldn’t go buy a TBC 3000 from eBay or anything like that. I think those are really bad buys at this point.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild_bill_az

I have a follow-up question...
Would the attached power adapter model SP48-121000 work in the datavideo TPC-3000?

No. That's a 12V PSU. You'll likely fry the unit.

It's similar (but not similar enough) to the SCP48-91200 (9V 1.2A, center-positive), one of the OEM supplies. Most failed long ago. And be wary of used adapters. I almost entirely use new brand-named adapters (not no-name Chinese junk).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary34

Mine works but other peoples probably won’t. My power supply is the one that came with the unit originally. Those usually don’t last. The guy I got mine from (as far as I know) barely used it. The power supply never got ruined like everyone else’s.

Yep. You got so lucky with your find. Low miles, single owner, minty condition. That almost never happens.

Quote:

The TBC 3000s are more sensitive to the grid than a 1000. Datavideo gear in general is sensitive to the power grid. I live in the country too so my UPS doesn’t even kick on all that often even though it’s set to sensitive.

I don't know about the 3000 being "more" sensitive compared to the 1000, that's never been my experience (that I can recall, at least). I consider the 1000 to have far more problems than the 3000 boards, in general.

But then we can fix many/most 1000 issues. The 3000 has cropped up new problems since about 2020, and not yet easily reparable. Both of my main 3000 are in a failed state right now, the now infamous "ghost interlace error" among many 3000 owners. The interlacing randomly momentarily loses cohesion, glitches out, like those paranormal videos.

Yep, UPS is a must. No UPS = not driving with your seatbelt. It doesn't matter until it does!

Quote:

The kind of strange thing about when we start talking about if this gear or that gear is better is that most people besides Lordsmurf have only worked with there gear so they don’t really have anything to compare it to. That includes me but that’s especially true with the DVD pass through people. Ya kinda have to take all that with a grain of salt unless you are talking to someone who has worked with a lot of different gear and really knows how to compare and what to look for.

And I've also used this gear since most of it was new, having been a serious video hobbyist (later pro/studios) for 30+ years now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary34

I wouldn’t go buy a TBC 3000 from eBay or anything like that. I think those are really bad buys at this point.

Yep.
Correct.

And you may have nailed it. In another recent thread, you stated that a TBC-3000 recently sold on eBay, which had no power supply, and had the usual "tested" and "working" nonsense description. The seller gave you a BS answer when you asked how he tested it, meaning he likely lied. And now here we are, a few days later, and somebody is asking about a PSU replacement. It's not like TBC-3000s are sold on every street corner, the model does gets more rare/HTF as years progress. More and more, we're becoming the unofficial "eBay post-sales tech support" because the gear sold is either incomplete or just crap. If these sellers actually knew anything about this unit, they could have told the buyer the PSU specs, or just provided one given the $1k+ costs associated (as a good PSU is under $20).

Very good observation. ... and I need to add a bowing smiley, but I do have

[wild_bill_az]

Thank you Gary34 and lordsmurf for your replies. Very good information indeed.
Can you send me a direct link (Amazon or ?) to a power adapter that will work perfectly with the TBC-3000? I don't want to make a costly mistake. Thank you.

[lordsmurf]

There is not, has never been, and probably never will be, any quality PSU sold on Amazon. That's all no-name "for __" Chinese junk. Amazon and Temu really are not that different for some things.

12V are (relatively) easy to locate new, 9V less so. Noise patterning (anti-transparency) is especially a problem on 9V (and 5V). And if you're not well versed in any of this, you can't blindly buy PSUs.

For those reasons, I no longer say "here's a link, buy this!" for certain items, especially PSUs. The odds of a good one are less than 50/50, and I don't want to be responsible for helping you destroy your not-cheap new tool. However, I will provide known-working units for my costs. My test/dev units are the guinea pigs, so yours never have to be.

PSUs actually get complicated. For example, tip size is important, yet rarely shown. And "the same" listing for an item is rarely the same over time. Hence why Amazon would never work. I keep all sorts of adapters on hand, to make everything fit and function properly.

[latreche34]

You can still find old school non switched power supplies, The requirement are:
- Same output voltage.
- Same connector size dimensions (inner and outer diameters).
- Same input voltage as your mains.
- Same polarity.
- The same amperage or higher.
1A = 1000mA, don't let the numbers confuse you.

I would not use a modern switched power supply and certainly not a chinese knock off, The best places to find these heavy transformer style power supplies are the thrift stores, flea market, online local ads, just make sure to test it before you use it.

[Gary34]

Quote:

Thank you Gary34 and lordsmurf for your replies. Very good information indeed.
Can you send me a direct link (Amazon or ?) to a power adapter that will work perfectly with the TBC-3000? I don't want to make a costly mistake. Thank you.

If you haven't bought the TBC 3000 yet think twice. If you have then good luck. I hope it works out well.

Quote:

I don't know about the 3000 being "more" sensitive compared to the 1000, that's never been my experience (that I can recall, at least). I consider the 1000 to have far more problems than the 3000 boards, in general.

I was telephoning what you said in comment 10 of the link I sent. I've have never used a TBC 1000 so I have no idea. At least if it was a bad telephone it was a telephone on this site so you can correct it.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary34

I was telephoning what you said in comment 10 of the link I sent. I've have never used a TBC 1000 so I have no idea. At least if it was a bad telephone it was a telephone on this site so you can correct it.

Ah, okay, I see it. Nuance needed.

Yes, the 3000 board units are more stringent on quality of incoming power. But the 1000 is more susceptible to grid noise that I've observed. It's really two separate concepts, even if adjacent.

I bet the reason behind it is how the TBC-1000 boards are 5V native input stepped up to 12V, while the 3000 is pure 9V with a strict wattage (thus amp) requirement. That determines noise (non-transparency) and power input slop (under-amp still works, etc).

Odds are, if anybody puts a 12V into the 9V 3000, it will pop/zap/fry.

[wild_bill_az]

Solid advice heard loud and clear. Is there a specific way to test a power supply so I don't get myself fried?

[Gary34]

Quote:

In another recent thread, you stated that a TBC-3000 recently sold on eBay, which had no power supply, and had the usual "tested" and "working" nonsense description. The seller gave you a BS answer when you asked how he tested it, meaning he likely lied. And now here we are, a few days later, and somebody is asking about a PSU replacement.

The conversation I had with that eBay seller was months ago. It’s just a coincidence I mentioned it then this thread was started back. That is probably a common thing for these to get used with the wrong PSU. I had asked how they tested it without a power cord because it said tested but power cord not included. They said “ Hello, It was tested with a cord that I have. It is not the original cord and I keep it for testing other units. They sell cords that fit it for about $15 on Amazon.” eBay will probably get really bad with those.

The way I got mine was really risky. My wife saw a regular non marketplace post that was made in California trying to sell a TBC for their friend in Arkansas. My wife in her only 10 minutes of looking for a TBC in her life saw the post 30 minutes after it was made and asked me if it was a good one. I said that’s fake. I had searched daily multiple times a day for months then after seeing a bunch of red flags I told my wife I don’t wanna buy from eBay. I sure didn’t wanna buy from Facebook. I was against buying the one we got. She talked to me for a day with me telling her that’s dumb. Then I finally called the guy in Arkansas and then when I walked in his house and saw it and talked to him I was really surprised. I was soo shook up that I didn’t even look at the VCRs he mentioned he had in the corner. I tried to text him about then later and he didn’t text back. That’s okay. No way I would tell someone hey go risk your money on Facebook on a model that has issues like that. I’ve talked to someone that bought a TBC 1000 boxed that didn’t work so that’s an awful way to buy. This just worked once. The chances of my wife checking regular Facebook for post about a TBC states away and that being there about someone nearby is highly unlikely. No one besides those guys list a TBC like that. If I had to buy again I would skip the search and just try to save up. I know nothing like that would happen again.

-- merged --

Two big reasons I can see to not get a TBC 3000 from eBay besides the condition factor is you may not need the full proc amp and when you buy from the marketplace on this site when you go to resell that item is marked. From what I can see it resells better. Just things to think about for people that haven’t already bought one. The Panasonic 1980p ags are kind of the same way. They have some things people may not need and can be a real head ache. They have a big name though so so sometimes new people pass up on some JVCs that would be a lot better for them. I have some pretty rough tapes so I don’t think that applies to me. I’m just saying in general.

[wild_bill_az]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild_bill_az

Solid advice heard loud and clear. Is there a specific way to test a power supply so I don't get myself fried?

I found a simple video on how to test a power supply using a multimeter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBhsVHideGE

I had assumed this was the way to test but just wanted to confirm.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild_bill_az

I found a simple video on how to test a power supply using a multimeter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBhsVHideGE
I had assumed this was the way to test but just wanted to confirm.

For AV gear, that's pretty useless. That test doesn't detect noise spew. You have to scope it, not just meter it.

[wild_bill_az]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

For AV gear, that's pretty useless. That test doesn't detect noise spew. You have to scope it, not just meter it.

Unfortunately, I do not have an Oscilloscope. I have been looking into a scope and found a Tektronix 2246 and a Tektronix 2465B available on FB Marketplace and also wyomingelectronics.com. I was informed to get a 100 MHz analog unit so I can also check/adjust tape path on VCR's etc. I would have to learn more about these units before diving into the world of electronics. Just want to keep it simple.