AG-1980P strange jagged vertical color bands?
 

Panasonic AG-1980, same PC, same capture device. I haven't seen this issue before, at least nowhere near as prevalent. I actually have two of this same capture device. Tried them both. Neither shows improvement. Tried multiple tapes, also showed no improvement.

Suspecting interference, I moved all the devices 6 inches or more away from each other and made sure to keep the cables away from the AC cords.

Passing the signal through the TBC/Freeze 2 also had no effect.

I also tried with and without audio cables connected.

Looks a bit like the classic AG-1980 SMD capacitor failure problem. Especially on the Y/C board.

Has the AG-1980 had caps replaced?

Yep, caps are failing = likely issue. The Y/C board is fubar. Standard/typical issues with this model deck.

Agree with others, needs a recap before really using. I honestly don't even test an AG1980 before recapping that board since they all need it if if hasn't been done yet and it can cause a variety of issues from chroma artifacts and noise to black and white picture, to possibly no picture at all. I do have a refurb service for these if you're interested, PM me.

FWIW: as you get into it a dim front panel display is another cap failure on that board.

Aha. That makes sense. I got this unit from Tgrantphoto, back before the horror stories, so very likely it didn't get recapped.

I'll probably take you up on that but not for a couple of months, because I'm in the middle of relocating to a different state.

<sigh> Not another one. :censor:

I really feel like he took advantage of us 2010s customers. It was expensive shoddy work that required redo within a few years. Quality recap work never should have done that. I have quality recap work that's lasted 15 years or more. At ~$500 per repair, I expected better.
- Deter did better.
- Aramkolt is doing better.
- Other here that DIY, like radiokom, are doing better.