Philips N1700 help please! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Outrun_uk · 5th Jul 2018, 7:40 am

Hi all,

A friend has asked me to look at a Phillips N1700 VCR. He finally obtained one from Holland after many years of searching. I’ve managed to sort out the tape transport issues but the playback picture is just a mass of what look like vertical hum bars which move and change (see photos). I’m aware that the sound frequency will be different but as it’s a PAL machine there should be a picture?

As most of my experience was with VHS and some Betamax machines which usually display some sort of picture that gives clues to where the fault is I’m a bit stumped. I’ve ruled out the modulator and tuner by looking at the video signal further back and also cleaned the heads (which visually look ok). Reseated and checked the connections of all the plug in modules too.

The other problem is the tapes we have are an unknown but they all display the same type of picture.

Any help would be appreciated, it would be nice to see this running.

Thanks,

Kev

Studio263 · 5th Jul 2018, 9:55 am

That's the dropout compensator endlessly recycling the last "good" line of video because nothing better is coming off the tape. The usual reason, assuming that the tape contains a known good recording, is worn out or faulty heads.

Philips210 · 5th Jul 2018, 2:49 pm

Hi.

Maybe worth trying to record something and then playing back.

Regards
Symon.

Outrun_uk · 8th Jul 2018, 10:29 am

Thanks chaps, I’ts a bit difficult without a known good recording but will try making and playing back a fresh recording, I think he has a NOS sealed tape. If it could be the heads then I’m guessing it will be the end of it unless a second machine becomes available. Will report back, I think he will be bringing it again one night this week.

Thanks,

Kev

Mikey405 · 8th Jul 2018, 7:20 pm

Hi Kev.

Just a thought but when you play the tape back, do you get any sound? If none or it's distorted / slow / fast then it may be that the tape is just blank or it was recorded on a different format machine.

As for the NOS tape, if it's an Agfa or BASF tape then you have a fair chance of recording something on it without it sticking and squealing. If it's a Scotch or Philips tape then you may run into problems with the tape sticking to the drum and guides due to the lubrication having evaporated over the last 40-odd years.

Thanks Kev.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

5th Jul 2018, 7:40 am	#1
Outrun_uk Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 705	Philips N1700 help please! Hi all, A friend has asked me to look at a Phillips N1700 VCR. He finally obtained one from Holland after many years of searching. I’ve managed to sort out the tape transport issues but the playback picture is just a mass of what look like vertical hum bars which move and change (see photos). I’m aware that the sound frequency will be different but as it’s a PAL machine there should be a picture? As most of my experience was with VHS and some Betamax machines which usually display some sort of picture that gives clues to where the fault is I’m a bit stumped. I’ve ruled out the modulator and tuner by looking at the video signal further back and also cleaned the heads (which visually look ok). Reseated and checked the connections of all the plug in modules too. The other problem is the tapes we have are an unknown but they all display the same type of picture. Any help would be appreciated, it would be nice to see this running. Thanks, Kev Attached Thumbnails

5th Jul 2018, 9:55 am	#2
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,576	Re: Philips N1700 help please! That's the dropout compensator endlessly recycling the last "good" line of video because nothing better is coming off the tape. The usual reason, assuming that the tape contains a known good recording, is worn out or faulty heads.

5th Jul 2018, 2:49 pm	#3
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,573	Re: Philips N1700 help please! Hi. Maybe worth trying to record something and then playing back. Regards Symon.

8th Jul 2018, 10:29 am	#4
Outrun_uk Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 705	Re: Philips N1700 help please! Thanks chaps, I’ts a bit difficult without a known good recording but will try making and playing back a fresh recording, I think he has a NOS sealed tape. If it could be the heads then I’m guessing it will be the end of it unless a second machine becomes available. Will report back, I think he will be bringing it again one night this week. Thanks, Kev

8th Jul 2018, 7:20 pm	#5
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: Philips N1700 help please! Hi Kev. Just a thought but when you play the tape back, do you get any sound? If none or it's distorted / slow / fast then it may be that the tape is just blank or it was recorded on a different format machine. As for the NOS tape, if it's an Agfa or BASF tape then you have a fair chance of recording something on it without it sticking and squealing. If it's a Scotch or Philips tape then you may run into problems with the tape sticking to the drum and guides due to the lubrication having evaporated over the last 40-odd years. Thanks Kev. Kind regards. From Mike. __________________ G7TRF