Hello, I will introduce myself. I have been working in professional video for more 40 years, I live in Argentina. I arrive to this site looking for a Sony manual, and I found this interesting U-matic user chat. I will try to help some questions. Regarding U-matic cassette cleaning machines, they were not manufactured many years ago, so in order to reproduce a tape 30 years old, it is essential to clean it before play. At the moment I am digitizing about 800 tapes from an international production company, for which I had to manufacture synthetic suede pads to clean with isopropyl alcohol and also dry as the cleaning proceeds on both sides of the tape. Also, over time some tape marks often get stuck inside the case, for which it is necessary to copy the tape with the cassette disarmed and without the front loader of the VCR. In the event that the tape has lost the degree of softness necessary to avoid sticking to the drum heads, I give less tension to the tape brake guide using a micro servo with manual adjustment, so that the tape is released from the Brake. It is important to clean the audio heads and track control, to achieve clean audio. In my case, the audio enters an equalizer to eliminate the typical blowing of the tapes. When in some cases the heads are dirty and the gap is covered, clean them with a printer paper imbibed in isopropyl alcohol, supporting their very soft over the drum in clockwise.

Any doubt I will try to answer it if I know the answer.

Best Rgds.

videonet-tv.com

Dubbing off to digital Umatics, U-matics. Sony TBC,ForA TBCs Y/C etc. if anyone is interested.. In the 80s I was working with a Snell and Wilcox engineer who modified the machine I had to Y/C output/input instead of the PAL inputs/outputs in my now very "old fashioned" Umatic tape decks, we shot commercials and lots of stuff in India on umatic high band tapes. This actually improved picture quality, increased available bandwidth and gave less noise. We modified the cameras to take Y/C down two spare wires, and detect a Y/C machine or PAL only accordingly. So many years later and with a cupboard full of valuable archive tapes - In my recording studio - I knocked up a Y/C to digital dub bay to finally digitise the tapes (and yes people can pay me for a digitisation service if they wish and I think its worthwhile) Results are quite good. I don't have this on you tube (yet, but I may put it on /ebaystars my old channel,) but it's on my facebook site and here it is public...

https://www.facebook.com/paul.wynter1/videos/vb.100000377078935/684772721545291/?type=3 (hit like so I know I am getting views or I'll remove it)

Y/C does have different frequencies between low band high band and Sp etc and you have to work out how to get it off the tape deck and match it into your TBC, in the first place which usually means reading the manual. I would say, that the greatest problem you ALL face is pinch roller hardening so don't run a precious master until you have checked this out because the pinch roller is at the tape exit point, what I had was a effing crinkled tape unrecoverable which I did not know had happened until I played it back again!!! And 2) the fact you cannot buy drum heads unless you are really lucky on ebay. Also engineers who understand servos and tapes heads on drum scanners, and can read a circuit diagram, are probably all dead by now or retired, get those Umatics dubbed BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. I worked in audio for many years and saw tapes destroyed by moisture, shedding themselves, reel to reel tapes are a whole different ball game. Don't email me for any technical details I cannot reply, sorry, I do reply to anyone wanting a box of tapes dubbed in our studio as my daughter runs that operation. Thanks

Hi all,

I am trying to track down a Service Manual for the following Time base Corrector , a FOR.A FA310P, to purchase, or have the relevant pages ie Circuit Diagram and Block Diagram etc , copied.

Also does anyone have any details regarding the High Band Mod Kits for the Sony VO-58XX Series Machines?

Thanks

John [email protected]

Hello everybody,

I'm currently looking for something able to read U-Matic tapes.

Does everyone have on available or know where I coud get one ?

Thank you !

I'm located in France

[email protected]

Hello Fernando.

Umatic (3/4") was not open-reel. It had a cartridge ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-matic ). There were open-reel videos, most commonly EIAJ format ( http://www.obsoletemedia.org/%C2%BD-inch-eiaj-open-reel-video-tape/ )

I can transfer U-matic (PAL) tapes if you were interested. I am in the UK.

Rob

Hello everybody, i work with a rock band in chile, they live and play in europe 77 until 84. In Holland play with shynphonic and they tall me about the shoot this concert...but...in 3/4 (umatic) pal OPEN REEL...is possible this format? year of shoot 1980.

i need transfer this tape (only i know this information... i dont have the tape)...really exist this class of tape?

thanks

Fernando Mecklenburg

Realizador Audovisual

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.meckle.cl

https://about.me/fernando.mecklenburg

REEL-2017-07

https://vimeo.com/230045112

Fundación Cultural Los Jaivas

56-979662976

I put in Betacam chat a message that can are interesting

Dear all,

I am looking to purchase quantity 8 BVU-950 U-Matic VTR with TBC preferably.

Must be:

1)in fully working condition

2) Accept both High and Low Band tapes

3) PAL

I am also looking for useful spare parts for the above.

Please email me on [email protected] with info and offers.

regards,

Alan.

Hi All,

I am currently looking for a U-Matic tape cleaning machine.

Does anyone have one available for sale or know where I could get one.

Many thanks

Chris

Hi All,

I have a Sony VO 9800 Machine available for sale. The machine has been refurbished and is ideal for archive work.Please let me know if you are interested in this machine.

Kindest Regards

Chris

Hi Everyone.

Sorry, both Umtaics mentioned in previous post, taken now. Sent to a good home.

Best

Brian Grant

Hi everyone.

I have two Sony Umatics I don't need anymore.

A Sony Umatic SP VO9800P Pal and Sony VO5630 Pal/NTSC/Secam. Both work.

Don't want any money for them, just want to see them go to an appreciative home.

I live in Surrey in the UK. Pleae email if interested.

Contact

Brian Grant

[email protected]

Thanks.

Moe,

Have you tried Ray Purnell?

0418 468 394, he is based in Artarmon.

Hello everyone

I'm looking to purchase a Sony (U-matic) DMR 2000 drum assy.

I'm located in Sydney Australia.

Many thanks,

Moe

Sorry all. I accidentally placed my ad on the wrong site. Betamax instead of umatic.

Anyway, here goes again.

I have a whole studio full of umatic low band video gear. 4 players, a recorder/ playback machine plus a pair of recorder/ players as an edit suite complete with control unit editor. Several high quality studio cameras plus outside cameras. Tripods and trolleys, machine stands on wheels, microphones and stands, cables etc. I just need the space so am open to any reasonable offers for any or all of the gear which is all in good condition. I also have about 70 reels of umatic tapes both 20 min and 60 min sizes.

I am based in COLCHESTER, East Anglia and can be contacted any time on :- 01206 760700 or by email as above.

Hello,

I've a SONY VO-9600 U-matic recorder (serial number higher than 21000)

The drum meter is about 200 hours.

It works perfectly except one thing : The tape rewind is very slow. FF works perfectly.

So what's wrong ? How to fix it ?

I've another question : Can you give me brand and reference of lubrication oďl for VCRs like U-Matic.

Awaiting your answers,

Thanks.

Hi,

I´m looking for a U-Matic Tape Cleaner. Does anyone know where I can get something like this? I'm from Germany.

Thanks!

Are the tapes large or small? Low Band, Hi Band or SP?

I may have a portable machine but it would only play the small camera tapes.

I also have full-size machines but they are not leaving my house!

HI,

I am looking to hire a Umatic player to transfer my tapes to PC.

I guess 1- 3 days max.

I am in Sydney.

Any suggestions please?

Thanks

David

Don Sugden,

Ideally you should get a Sony AV-340CE powersupply, make sure you get one with a XLR rather than a DIN plug.

Or if you want to use the Ebay cable, you will need a 12V 2.6A DC supply.