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Old 18th Jan 2021, 8:50 am   #1
stuie319
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Default Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Morning Guys,

I have a couple of queries regarding an old Granada badged top loader, that I extracted from my parents loft over the weekend. The note says I parked it there in 1990, which would have been when I just entered the trade. I have no idea why I saved it....

Anyway, it's clearly a Hitachi machine. The Granada reference is VHSYH2, but I've forgotten what this equates to in Hitachi terms. The counter is electronic, which puts it later than the VT8000 series, but it's earlier than the VT11, so I'm thinking maybe VT9500? Google has not been much help here.

Obviously it has no serviceable rubber, but I can't see how the capstan/ reel belt lay. It's turned into that goo so often found in older Philips kit.

Does anybody still supply parts? Or was that a very silly question,


Thanks as usual

Stu
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 8:58 am   #2
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Yes, VT9300 or 9500 ISTR.

https://cloud10.todocoleccion.online...g_FA89E2EE.jpg

I had one at university in the mid-1990s, and they were considered pretty antiquated even then. The direct drive capstan motor (I think) was responsible for wow and flutter on sound, but I found another smashed up in a skip on the way back from the pub one night, which yielded a perfect replacement!

Might have some belts somewhere but they'd be ancient now.

N.

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Old 18th Jan 2021, 12:53 pm   #3
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

https://www.donberg.ie/descript/1/11106.htm

Any use?
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 2:59 pm   #4
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

The Granada VHSYH2 is actually the same as the Hitachi VT9300. The Granada service manual is some 274 pages thick and the Hitachi manual will be of a similar page count. The differences between the two named machines will be mostly cosmetic.
Dave
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 3:13 pm   #5
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

As Dave says, the Granada stock category was VHSYH2, and there is probably some evidence of a blue label on the back.

If I remember correctly, these were the first Hitachi's with a mode-switch which I think they called a mecha-state switch. There is a design flaw where there is a brief moment in the load/unload sequence where you can eject the tape whilst it is threaded. What fun.
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 9:13 pm   #6
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Thanks very much for the responses chaps, and the Donberg link.

Whilst it appears they do still have the belts, and possible even the reel idler, the play idler in the machine is, not unsurprisingly, shot, and thus far seems unobtainable. I think it's different from the VT8000 one which is available apparently.

I shall keep hunting before I condemn it, cosmetically it's a nice survivor - which may be why it was kept.

Thanks again

Best,
Stu
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 11:42 pm   #7
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

For future reference this lists Granada code equivalents. Thanks to Chris for making it available.

https://www.radios-tv.co.uk/vintage-...r-equivalents/
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Old 18th Jan 2021, 11:44 pm   #8
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuvistor View Post
For future reference this lists Granada code equivalents. Thanks to Chris for making it available.

https://www.radios-tv.co.uk/vintage-...r-equivalents/
I was also thinking of this list.

The the 1990s CPC used to have a similar list in their catalogue.
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 1:26 am   #9
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

The original source was probably "Television" July 1991 Pg 644

https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Pra...on-1991-07.pdf
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 1:56 am   #10
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Thanks for the additional information Guys

I found my last (1999) Charlie Hyde catalogue, which confirms what I already thought - the 8xxx and 9xxx machines are mechanically different.

So it seems the lack of availability of the play idler will be the thing that brings this to a halt.

What would be handy these days, would be a Konig cross reference. Many of their pattern parts are sold with the Konig number, not much use unless you know what machine its for!

Stu
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 9:01 am   #11
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

I used to have a Konig CD-ROM catalogue somewhere. I'll have to track it down. Almost certainly for Windows 98 though.
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 10:37 am   #12
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Hi Nick,

I think I had such a disc way back. I miss not being able to just ask the Seme or Chas Hyde rep, as they paid their monthly visit!

Stu
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 12:29 pm   #13
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

I just had a look through my stash of NOS Hitachi drive belts and all of them had turned to goo in the timed honoured Philips fashion. Tufanega hand cleaner is good at cleaning up the mess!

Briefly the main difference between VT9300 and VT9500 is that the latter machine has much improved slow motion and still frame picture performance, very similar to the VT6500 portable. It is possible VT9700 had an additional ability to do two or three week timed recordings with the introduction of E240 tape.

Take up and FF/REW Idlers were always an issue, but getting the take up spool idler to drive without slipping was an art in itself! Hitachi did supply upgraded versions but was never entirely satisfactory. The intermittent load disturbance on the capstan drive often led to audio wow and flutter.

Rich
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Old 19th Jan 2021, 10:33 pm   #14
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Default Re: Granada / Hitachi VCR chassis ID

Hi Rich,

I was marginally surprised to discover my stash of old rubber parts hadn't yet turned to goo. I seem to have a few idlers for (I think VT11) if anyone needs one.

I've found one example for sale online, unfortunately it's used, expensive (20 euro) and not available to the UK.

Best

Stu
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