JVC HR-S9700EK arrived, but my tapes are missing!

[Carlos_Smooth]

Good morning, afternoon or evening everyone

First off, a huge thank you to @lordsmurf and all the members here for sharing invaluable knowledge on video restoration and preservation. Your insights have been a tremendous help in navigating this journey!

I was incredibly lucky to find a JVC HR-S9700EK that has never been used—essentially a pristine unit after all these years. While it’s great to have a VCR in mint condition, I know that long-term storage without use can sometimes bring unexpected issues. I’d love to hear any advice on what I should check before starting my digitalisation process.

Are there any common risks with untouched, stored VCRs—such as capacitor ageing, dried-out lubrication, or belt degradation—that I should look out for? Any maintenance tips would be greatly appreciated.

That said, I’ve now found my first real problem—I can't find any of the tapes I thought I had! Either I stored them too well or they’re hiding in some long-forgotten corner.

Thanks again, looking forward to learning more!
Carlos

[themaster1]

check the loading belt & the belt below the mech

[latreche34]

Typical dryed up grease, Need to clean it all off and apply a fresh white grease, I don't have any recommendations of products or how to clean, I've been burned before by some rookie idiots.

[Carlos_Smooth]

Got it, thanks for the quick reply! I'll check out some forums to figure out the safest way to do it.

[BarryTheCrab]

I guess I’ve been lucky so far, my new in the box 7800u has been spectacular, I’ve not even removed the cover yet but done maybe 50 tapes in it. I’m afraid to look inside for fear of letting evil spirits free.

[Carlos_Smooth]

Setup:
VCR: JVC HR-S9700EK
Capture: Hauppauge USB-Live2 via S-Video
Software: VirtualDub 1.9.11, HuffYUV MT (HYMT)
Issue:
Even when displaying the internal menu (no tape), the signal shows horizontal distortion, jitter-like artifacts and uneven lines — especially in text and flat colour areas.

What’s tested:

TBC: ON, EDIT: OFF, NR: ON/OFF (no difference)
Stable S-Video connection
Captured via HuffYUV (HYMT)
The artifacts are consistent in all software and output files
Question:
Is this a known issue with USB-Live2 or something else in the chain?
Could this be caused by the grabber itself or something related to Y/C separation?
Any advice or test ideas appreciated.
Thanks
Carlos

[themaster1]

drivers / software issue most likely

[latreche34]

Test the output with a TV connected directly to the VCR, Capture devices are not troubleshooting tools.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos_Smooth

Are there any common risks with untouched, stored VCRs—such as capacitor ageing, dried-out lubrication, or belt degradation

Yes, all of it.

Storage location matters, too. Random environment = random gear condition. How well do other items do, when stored in attic, garage, outbuilding, outside storage unit, warehouse, etc? Not good, over time.

[Carlos_Smooth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Test the output with a TV connected directly to the VCR, Capture devices are not troubleshooting tools.

wish to have a TV no TV for over 30 years! somehow survived...

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos_Smooth

wish to have a TV no TV for over 30 years! somehow survived...

Curious: Is that to avoid the BBC tax?

[Carlos_Smooth]

No, I just have better things to do. I prefer quiet—I get anxious visiting friends when the TV is constantly on; it makes thinking impossible.