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The Zenith Video Director
Beta VCR Model VR8500 PT, A Clone of Sony's
SL-5000 Betamax. 1981
was the year this machine was introduced and sold for $799. This
is a top loading version. Tapes loads on right as all Sony SL-5000 series
do.1-event, 1-day timer. Offers BII and BIII Playback and offered BIII recording only.
The SL-5000 series Betamax VCRS do not have automatic Rewind at end of tape,
unlike the previous models and the models after these. These were considered
stripped down compared to previous models. No special features. These units have defects. To get these going again you will need to replace the blue Sanyo electrolytic capacitors on the service board, if they
haven't been replaced already. Capacitors can be purchased at
http://www.digitkey.com.
Also most likely the belts will need to be
replaced. Belt kits are available at
http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com. |
Common defects:
Bad Sanyo Blue
Electrolytic Capacitors Results: Off speed playback and record. Unstable
audio (Fluttery) Lines in picture, or no picture with fuzz.
Bad Belts
Results: Ejects tape seconds after inserted. Weak rewind/fast forward.
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