Broken GEC McMichael video disc player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Goonerz71 · 25th Mar 2015, 10:03 pm

hi there, I'm wondering if anyone can help me to get my old video disc player working?

It's a GEC McMichael V5001H, and it has been in a dusty storeroom for nearly 20 years. Prior to this it definitely worked.

When I plugged it in earlier the standby light was on and it was whirring, however the turntable wasn't moving, and it looks like the arm that's supposed to sweep across the disc isn't moving either.

I need some advice with troubleshooting, or if there's anyone I could approach for a repair. Can anyone help?

Cheers!

60 oldjohn · 25th Mar 2015, 11:41 pm

Have you had a look inside? the belt may have melted, also the grease on the rails will be hard by now. I hope the disks have been stored correctly, I bought a stack that were laid flat and the grooves were flattened the stylus was unable to follow the groove on most of the disks.
John.

Michael Maurice · 26th Mar 2015, 12:16 am

Is this a Philips clone? If so does anyone know what its a clone of?

hamid_1 · 26th Mar 2015, 1:12 am

This is a CED (capacitive electronic disc) player, not a laserdisc player. It was made by Hitachi (I have one!)

It sounds like you will need a new loading belt. This is not too difficult to replace, as long as you are comfortable about opening up the player and putting it back together again. If you are not, it's better to ask someone to repair it for you.

Heatercathodeshort · 27th Mar 2015, 9:05 am

Take great care. It is very easy to break the motor mountings when replacing the belt. J.

Freya · 27th Mar 2015, 10:54 am

Like this ?

Goonerz71 · 28th Mar 2015, 1:29 pm

Yeah that photo is the same model I have. To answer somr of the other questions in this thread...:

I think the discs are ok as they were stored on their edge, so shouldn't be compressed.

I did open the casing but didn't fiddle around too much as I wasn't sure what I was looking for. If it is the drive belt, where could I find a replacement?

Would a general grease do for the runners, or do I need a specialist one?

Overall I think I will probably need to get a professional repair, but not sure who to approach. need someone in the N London area.

Michael Maurice · 29th Mar 2015, 8:00 pm

If you remember, you contacted me and I recommended you join the forum.

I can probably repair it for you now that I know others who have seen this machine.

You'll probably find that a plastic grease, like the type used in VCR's in the 80's and 90's will suffice, if the belt is in tact, it can be removed and measured and from that a replacement can be obtained.

25th Mar 2015, 10:03 pm	#1
Goonerz71 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2	Broken GEC McMichael video disc player hi there, I'm wondering if anyone can help me to get my old video disc player working? It's a GEC McMichael V5001H, and it has been in a dusty storeroom for nearly 20 years. Prior to this it definitely worked. When I plugged it in earlier the standby light was on and it was whirring, however the turntable wasn't moving, and it looks like the arm that's supposed to sweep across the disc isn't moving either. I need some advice with troubleshooting, or if there's anyone I could approach for a repair. Can anyone help? Cheers!

25th Mar 2015, 11:41 pm	#2
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,989	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player Have you had a look inside? the belt may have melted, also the grease on the rails will be hard by now. I hope the disks have been stored correctly, I bought a stack that were laid flat and the grooves were flattened the stylus was unable to follow the groove on most of the disks. John.

26th Mar 2015, 12:16 am	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player Is this a Philips clone? If so does anyone know what its a clone of? __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

26th Mar 2015, 1:12 am	#4
hamid_1 Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks. UK. Posts: 811	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player This is a CED (capacitive electronic disc) player, not a laserdisc player. It was made by Hitachi (I have one!) It sounds like you will need a new loading belt. This is not too difficult to replace, as long as you are comfortable about opening up the player and putting it back together again. If you are not, it's better to ask someone to repair it for you.

27th Mar 2015, 9:05 am	#5
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player Take great care. It is very easy to break the motor mountings when replacing the belt. J.

27th Mar 2015, 10:54 am	#6
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,991	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player Like this ? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___

28th Mar 2015, 1:29 pm	#7
Goonerz71 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player Yeah that photo is the same model I have. To answer somr of the other questions in this thread...: I think the discs are ok as they were stored on their edge, so shouldn't be compressed. I did open the casing but didn't fiddle around too much as I wasn't sure what I was looking for. If it is the drive belt, where could I find a replacement? Would a general grease do for the runners, or do I need a specialist one? Overall I think I will probably need to get a professional repair, but not sure who to approach. need someone in the N London area.

29th Mar 2015, 8:00 pm	#8
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Broken GEC McMichael video disc player If you remember, you contacted me and I recommended you join the forum. I can probably repair it for you now that I know others who have seen this machine. You'll probably find that a plastic grease, like the type used in VCR's in the 80's and 90's will suffice, if the belt is in tact, it can be removed and measured and from that a replacement can be obtained. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/