Old Panasonic PF-2201 Loses Color

[W. Watson]

Well, I've had an older VCR unit for maybe 20 years, and now it seems only
capable of playing tapes in b/w. Am I missing something about settings? The
problem started recently. The last time I used it was six weeks ago. I can
plug another vcr into the same TV and out comes the expected color.

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Well, I've had an older VCR unit for maybe 20 years, and now it seems only
capable of playing tapes in b/w. Am I missing something about settings? The
problem started recently. The last time I used it was six weeks ago. I can
plug another vcr into the same TV and out comes the expected color.

Try for help on this. It is probably
plugged up video heads, but ask the people who fix them for a living.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Michael Black]

Try for help on this. It is probably
plugged up video heads, but ask the people who fix them for a living.

Of course, they might really first read the FAQ for sci.electronics.repair,
which is at http://www.repairfaq.org Even if that doesn't answer the
question, it at least gives the poster some of the same language to
ask a question.

Michael

 

[W. Watson]

Try for help on this. It is probably
plugged up video heads, but ask the people who fix them for a living.

Ah, good suggestion. I'll clean the heads, and repost if need be.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[[email protected]]

Well, I've had an older VCR unit for maybe 20 years, and now it seems only
capable of playing tapes in b/w. Am I missing something about settings? The
problem started recently. The last time I used it was six weeks ago. I can
plug another vcr into the same TV and out comes the expected color.

There are several possible causes, but if the VCR was in
regular use all those 20 years, the most likely reason is
that the recording/playback head has simply become worn out
and needs to be replaced.

The actual R/P points are two or more tiny chips of very
hard ferrite material, and protrude slightly from the drum.
Each bit has a microscopic magnetic gap in the center. Over
time, friction with the tape gradually grinds down the
chips and they no longer make proper contact with the tape.
The magnetic gaps also become wider.

These two effects of wear and tear result in a reduction of
the tiny electrical currents generated at the heads,
especially at the high frequencies. Color is often the
first to go since the high frequencies carry the color
information. Careful observation will also reveal reduced
sharpness in the picture.

The whole assembly, including the aluminium drum, should be
replaced - if it's still available. Replacing the head is a
straightforward job for a technician, but some mechanical
and electrical alignment may also be necessary. The
alignment process is a bit tricky and requires some skill
and experience.

 

[W. Watson]

There are several possible causes, but if the VCR was in
regular use all those 20 years, the most likely reason is
that the recording/playback head has simply become worn out
and needs to be replaced.

The actual R/P points are two or more tiny chips of very
hard ferrite material, and protrude slightly from the drum.
Each bit has a microscopic magnetic gap in the center. Over
time, friction with the tape gradually grinds down the
chips and they no longer make proper contact with the tape.
The magnetic gaps also become wider.

These two effects of wear and tear result in a reduction of
the tiny electrical currents generated at the heads,
especially at the high frequencies. Color is often the
first to go since the high frequencies carry the color
information. Careful observation will also reveal reduced
sharpness in the picture.

The whole assembly, including the aluminium drum, should be
replaced - if it's still available. Replacing the head is a
straightforward job for a technician, but some mechanical
and electrical alignment may also be necessary. The
alignment process is a bit tricky and requires some skill
and experience.

Interesting. Thanks, but I'll forgo that exercise. I have two others that I
can use for this purpose. Two are new.

I reposted in repair.

Interestingly, when I used a Scotch VHS tape cleaner, their SCOTCH logo came
through in yellow. However, trying a commercial tape with color produced b/w
again. Probably time to junk it.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[GPG]

Interesting. Thanks, but I'll forgo that exercise. I have two others thatI
can use for this purpose. Two are new.

I reposted in repair.

Interestingly, when I used a Scotch VHS tape cleaner, their SCOTCH logo came
through in yellow. However, trying a commercial tape with color produced b/w
again. Probably time to junk it.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--
"There is more to life than increasing its speed"
-- Mahatma Gandhi

Web Page: <home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews>

Check to see if it records ok. If it does it is not the heads.
The chroma is lower in frequency on the tape.

 

[jasen]

Well, I've had an older VCR unit for maybe 20 years, and now it seems only
capable of playing tapes in b/w. Am I missing something about settings? The
problem started recently. The last time I used it was six weeks ago. I can
plug another vcr into the same TV and out comes the expected color.

look for a color switch on the back of the vcr.