Sanyo VTC5150

[bobmeades]

I've just acquired an old dust ridden VTC5150 + a pile of tapes - I vaguely remember a modification on these machines to improve the playback picture bandwidth - I think it was in "Television" magazine, can anyone remember more detail - I think it involved a change of a coupling Capacitor value, that Sanyo got wrong.
Thanks.
Bob

[Sanbeta]

The ONLY mod to the Sanyo 5000 and 5150 that I'm aware of is the reel motor torque value by changing out a fusible resistor and also diode. This can also help with their VTC M10,20,30 and 40 but just involves a resistor.
It basically solves the issues with a poor tape take up to the tape shell even after idlers and belt's plus reel motor bushing have been seen too with oil (reel motor bearing) or new rubber parts.

...Kev

[dj_fivos_sak]

I've heard that there's a trick to change the clock mode from 24 hour to 12 hour AM/PM.
The middle east version VTC 5550 seems to have that feature from the factory.

[julie_m]

But why on Earth would you want to?

"VCR time" is much simpler to understand anyway ..... And if you can count to 59, you obviously can count to 23!

[8 Tracker]

Originally Posted by dj_fivos_sak

I've heard that there's a trick to change the clock mode from 24 hour to 12 hour AM/PM.

There is. You add a 1N4148 diode to a space on the clock PCB. I can't remember the component reference, but I have tried it and it works.

Mark.

[Sanbeta]

Yes I too did that from a Australian Sanyo VTC M40 that annoyingly had the AM PM option. You just remove said diode to revert to 24 hour operation. Much better

.........Kev

[bobmeades]

Thanks for your reply's - thankfully, it only needed the belts & a seeing to with the Vac & paintbrush + a bit of oil on the squeaky bearings to restore the machine to almost perfect health! Not bad for a 35 year old machine. The heads seem fine.
They never seem to have had the visual quality of Sony's - but they last forever, Sony's do not!

[Sanbeta]

The best resolution for a UK Sanyo Beta is with the VTC M40.Not only does it offer the higher carrier beta hi-Fi but a bandwidth for the picture of around 2.8.It does show up more picture 'grain' from well worn tapes.The VTC M10/20 (1.8 mhz) suit those well worn tapes better with their lower bandwidth and it keeps everything looking smoother.
The VTC 5000/6500 had around 2.0.The NX00 2.2.Not sure about the 5150 I would say around the 1.8 to 2.0 mark.
Yes when serviced /refurb properly those Sanyo's last well and to keep those heads giving their all avoid ANY type of cleaning tape.
PERIOD !

.....Kev

[Hybrid tellies]

I vaguely remember a mod on the 5000, maybe the 5150 as well, about changing the value of the mains filter cap and mains input fuse to prevent random fuse blowing. Sorry I cant remember any other mods.