Cypress TBC CTB-531R, CDM-831TR good?

[radiokom]

I got 2 Cypress units - CTB-531R & CDM-831TR.
One is TBC (CTB-531R) and other Multiformat converter with TBC.

To my surprise they works. CTB-531R needs recap (I believe CDM-831TR too, but it works as it should), there are problem with audio levels and some other, I found because of caps.

But chips are OK, perhaps.

Maybe they works because of early manufacturing year?

CTB-531R serial number is 200706110014
CDM-831TR serial number is 200612090004

Can those first 8 digits be manufacturing date? For me those 8 first digits looks like manufacturing number and last 4 - actual serial number.

[lordsmurf]

Cypress serial numbers aren't date codes. I've seen serials that have Taiwanese holidays in them, and you know nobody was working that day. And that exact code range, for these units, is where things began to get murky.

There's no way to fully vet a unit from physical inspection only, especially not external-only inspection.

I need to see a clear photo of the board chips. It's still not a bulletproof test of anything, but there are nudges to likely good or bad units, based on what I see.

Where'd the units come from?

When Cypress units fail, it's almost always chip-based failures, not something solved by recap. That unit is probably just a doorstop now. Re-capping rarely fixes those. TBC caps-based issues also cascade, and causing permanent damage.

[radiokom]

Here they are.
They are from Balkans (Serbia) TV studio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

When Cypress units fail, it's almost always chip-based failures, not something solved by recap. That unit is probably just a doorstop now. Re-capping rarely fixes those. TBC caps-based issues also cascade, and causing permanent damage.

Audio level output (one channel) problem is simply dead cap. And some grain looks like too. Both has very similar design.

[lordsmurf]

You should be bypassing the audio anyway. Don't use it. Route around it, audio directly from VCR/camera to capture card.

Photo of the chips. Plural. Not any single chip.

[radiokom]

OK, here they are.
If you need better pictures, please let me know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

You should be bypassing the audio anyway. Don't use it. Route around it, audio directly from VCR/camera to capture card.

OK, Thanks for advice. But anyway, even if I bypass audio, it should work by default If those caps started to fail, perhaps better is to replace them all, not a big job.

[lordsmurf]

I didn't say not to re-cap, only to not use the audio.

The forum shrunk the images, so I can't se all details, but I see enough. 80-20 odds these are good. The "JVC menu test" is needed next. It's still not 100-0, or 0-100, after that menu test, but can nudge.

I'll need to see menu capture clip, preferably while running the menu test. Then let it record the blue screen for 5-10 minutes. Lossless, post it to Google/Dropbox/iCloud for me to download and scrub.

[radiokom]

But I have no JVC May I record universal test pattern or colour bars from test cassette?

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

But I have no JVC

Then evaluating these units will be difficult for you, impossible even.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

May I record universal test pattern or colour bars from test cassette?

Nope, that will not work.

[radiokom]

Well, I am Europe and Panasonic always was a major brand here in professional and consumer video.
We know them, can repair them and I never crossed my mind that something should be changed.
For example - if you see good Panasonic with K mech for sale what "eject cassette immediately after loading" it is 99% someone removed mechanism upper plate and did not read manual where is clearly noted how loading mechanism should be assembled and installed.
But I am open for new knowledge and JVC too
What is, in your opinion, the best PAL JVC S-VHS? I will take it under my radar.

Those TBC and Converter/TBC I found accidentally in Balkans and bought for cheap. However shipping took about month

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

Well, I am Europe and Panasonic always was a major brand here in professional and consumer video.

Here as well. But part of the TBC testing method that exists relies on a JVC S-VHS VCR menu. It's not something that is fully known to exist on other decks/cameras, and random test patterns are not a test (and is nothing more than a new variable).

Quote:

But I am open for new knowledge and JVC too
What is, in your opinion, the best PAL JVC S-VHS? I will take it under my radar.

I'm most fond of the 7965, but the 7600/7700 series is fine too (7611,7711,7722,etc). I have multiple PAL decks, both JVC and Panasonic (and Samsung and others, but those are junk).

Quote:

Those TBC and Converter/TBC I found accidentally in Balkans and bought for cheap. However shipping took about month

So you didn't locate in person. Then what site was used? (PM it if needed.)

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

I'm most fond of the 7965, but the 7600/7700 series is fine too (7611,7711,7722,etc).

Thanks! I will take a look around what I can find. Do you know trusted sellers in Europe? If Panasonic I can buy in whatever condition (I always look at cosmetically mint and non working) and repair or throw out (put on shelf in attic for parts) if it does not worth to repair, I do not want to learn JVC that deep. So if I will by JVC then only fully serviced from trusted technician.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

So you didn't locate in person. Then what site was used? (PM it if needed.)

It was private sale. Got them both for EUR 300 without any warranty and did not had any hope that it will be anything useful. But looks like they are. At least one of them (831). Another one (531), along with left channel audio output defect has a too grainy picture. Of course it does not mean it is related to capacitors (about audio I am sure), but in this case I believe is better to replace them all and then look what happens. Because no service manuals and/or technical info.

But they looks really identical, except 831 is multisystem converter too (can be useful for SECAM for example, I doubt someone capture in SECAM and there are capture cards for that format).

What is benefit to bypass audio? Except shorter path without unwanted processing is always better?

[Aya_Rei]

Since you're in Europe you are in luck, you can try VCRShop

[radiokom]

Oh yes, in Holland, thanks!

Question about JVC HR-S7700EU. It has TBC/NR together (at least on one knob)? And how this NR differ from Panasonic DNR what is commonly separate option?

[Aya_Rei]

Not sure exactly I'm afraid, but with the JVC VCRs I have there are two noise reductions, one is tied to the TBC which can't be changed without turning off the TBC all together. There is another set of noise reduction that is tied to the picture mode of the VCR, setting the mode to Edit disables that kind of noise reduction.

There was a thread about Edit mode on a Panasonic AG-1980 just adding in more noise with no visible improvements in overall quality, but I dunno if it follows your Panasonic VCR

[radiokom]

Thanks! I should learn more about JVC's before I buy one

[Aya_Rei]

Oh, please don't let my comment discourage you from buying a JVC VCR from VCRShop to test out your Cypress TBCs.

Seems like LS wants you to use the JVC Menu and capture 10 or so minutes of it to test the TBC's performance, so go do that if possible.

[radiokom]

If I will buy JVC, I will buy the best (in accordance with recommendations here). But not for TBC test, but because I simply curious and want to compare with Panasonic's

But what I am really curious about is advice to bypass audio (route directly from VHS to capture card not through TBC). What is a benefit? I believe, audio I/O in TBC is intended for audio/video synchronizing? Or I am wrong?

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

I believe, audio I/O in TBC is intended for audio/video synchronizing? Or I am wrong?

You're wrong.

Audio connected are often for convenience, and/or splitting output to multi channels. There's no added lag, it passes through. The issue is that each device can degrade, add hiss/distortion/etc, so bypass to the least number of connections. But that's mostly true for audio, not necessarily video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aya_Rei

Since you're in Europe you are in luck, you can try VCRShop

Excellent place to get PAL decks, and always let him know that member of this site sent you.

[radiokom]

OK, thanks! But he has no 7965 right now (at least it is not listed) so I believe I should "sign up" for the waiting list
Because if 7965 is better than 7700 (what is available right now) I do not want 7700 even if difference is only theoretical. It could be my only JVC deck so I want the best

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

You're wrong.

Audio connected are often for convenience, and/or splitting output to multi channels. There's no added lag, it passes through. The issue is that each device can degrade, add hiss/distortion/etc, so bypass to the least number of connections. But that's mostly true for audio, not necessarily video.

Ah, OK I see! It has 2 inputs so it is simply switch between 1 and 2. I hate devices with no service manuals and even technical info. For Studer we have all

[Aya_Rei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

OK, thanks! But he has no 7965 right now (at least it is not listed) so I believe I should "sign up" for the waiting list
Because if 7965 is better than 7700 (what is available right now) I do not want 7700 even if difference is only theoretical. It could be my only JVC deck so I want the best

I mean, LS is saying the 7700 is still good. At this point condition matters moreso than exact model number.

Maybe it'd be best to by that now instead of waiting god knows how long until a 7965 shows up there