JVC SR W5U -- anyone know any good repair shops?
 

I recently received an SR W5U in trade with robvj1, but I did know it had defects, so I'll list some of them here. First off, when I turn on the machine, the loading mech partially loads and no other buttons work. So, I have to push in a tape, press play then eject and I get everything to reset.
When I load the tape into the deck, and press play, I get no video, but I do get normal audio ocassionally. Now, if I actually held up with one hand the RF Board Assy, I was able to get a picture and hi-fi audio, but I had to position it a proper way. This also seems to affect the decks ability to output a signal from the component output. Sometimes, if I moved the deck slightly, I would get no signal from the component. However, moving it again would give me a picture again. When I tried to record on WVHS, I could only hear audio in the playback.
After running some more tests, I think I know what's wrong with the SR W5U.
First off, in regards to SVHS playback, once I get the RF board into place, I am able to playback and record SVHS properly. So, all is well with that. The problem for me is the WVHS side of the machine with the component ouput and input. The input/output is very finicky. I am able to get it to recognize the component ouput, but the way I am able to do it is if I hold the green part of the RGB input cable myself. Also, I was able to record WVHS, however, the picture was full of defects and had a bit of static in it. I've heard from some people that it's possible the component out/input could be loose, so that is most likely a soldering issue. Also, when I initially plug the deck in, the machine tries to load without anything in it, and the way to reset it is to manually push a cassette in and press play then eject. Otherwise, the machine doesn't respond when I press any buttons.
So, just to recap the problems with this machine
1. The RF board is the main culprit, perhaps a bad connection
2. SVHS playback/record is fine once the RF board is in place
3. The machine is able to accept an RGB input, however, I think the soldering may be loose
4. The machine is able to record when it recognizes the component input, however, the recording is kind of staticy and some parts of the picture have less color compared to the rest
5. The only way to be able to playback the WVHS signal is to have the board in some sort of place
*Note* If the board is not in the right place, the machine will not have a proper counter in playback and ffw and rew will produce the counter blinking. The only way to get a proper counter is to have the board in a particular place.
Ok, the last thing that I forgot to mention was that the previous owner the trader had got the item from had glued the removable powercord into the socket. The socket is much like the one on the HR S69000U. Last but not least, I can now confirm that the component input ports are loose and can feel them wiggle.

So does anyone know any good repair places that can fix this? I mainly wanted this machine for it's WVHS capabilities. Does the component input board sound like an easy fix? Also, what does the problem sound like to everyone with this deck?

Stanton TV is probably your best bet.

the soldering is horrid on these decks and is probably your culprit

Have you/anyone had experience with Stanton TV before? And if so, what is generally their cost to repair these units?

they are probably your only option.
SA wont touch W-VHS decks and Jots inst doing them anymore.

good news is Stanton gives free estimates.
so if the deck is not repairable you are only out the shipping.

hopefully it is only bad soldering
but be prepared for the worst - parts for these are Unobtainium

i sent them mt SR-W5U, but they could not get the parts.

What was the problem with your W5U?

it wont power up - the PSU is bad

I don't know if you'd be willing, but if the machine was working before, I could use the RF board and maybe a couple of other parts from that deck.

ive already got a deal in the works to trade to another forum member.

i have a fully working SR-W7U for sale if interested.
it is on ebay now, but i can do a little better on price to a forum member.

How much better of a price?

$700 plus shipping

By the way a symptom with the 5U when I said I think the component inputs are loose, if I get one of the connectors in at a certain spot, I get a picture for a second, then it goes away if I touch the cable wrong. Does that sound like a soldering issue to you?

yes - the soldering sucks - i think they where switching to lead free solders.

the component connectors are easy to touch up the solder on.
the plastic cover comes off the bottom easy and there is plenty of room.
just get a low power solder iron and some thin real lead solder

So, is that the issue with why the component input isn't working. The audio registers on the VU meter, but nothings showing up on the TV. Also, it was working when I got it, but became intermittent, and would go out if I moved the deck slightly. Then if I moved the deck again, it came back again. I'd really like this thing to work --- always have wanted a WVHS machine.

most likely.
these decks are fragile and dont ship well and the poor soldering don't help.

Ok, just an update. I did the soldering last night. Got the port to work aside from the blue input not really working. Then, unplugged it again to put another device in, and it seems as if it has come loose again. How fragile are these connectors? I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with the HR S6900U/HR S7100U, but the back of this machine resembles those machines minus the component inputs. Guess I'll have to resolder again tonight. Anyone have advice on how to permanently fix this. Also, has anyone had the problem like I'm having with the playback, record and the RF board? Could it just need resoldering?

make sure you get a good remelt of the old solder.

What do you mean?

completely remelt the existing solder.
dont just add a booger of new solder on top

ok, I tried that again, and it didn't work at all. Can you fix these machines?

no.
i do light repairs on VCR's.
like changing displays and video cards on AG-1980's or fixing borked JVC transports.

but anything like your W5U board is beyond my skills.
these are delicate and very complicated decks and the parts are just not available.
if Stanton cant fix it than it is most likely a parts deck like mine.