Tracking problems ? Sony SLV-998 VCR

[gary777]

My 998 recordes and plays back perfect. However, recently, when I try to play back a tape recorded from the 998 on other vcr's it will not track. if I manually track and get the picture to look good then the sound is distorted, and vice versa.

Also, now when I try to play a tape recorded from other vcr's on the 998 same problem, will not track audio and video in sync.

I cleaned the ACE head and tape path. Comments please.

Thanks gary

[vtech]

Sounds like a typical alignment issue with your unit OR it may simply be too much wear. Easy to determine by a VCR tech or someone with at least some experience --not something for an average consumer to try.

[gary777]

Thanks vtech. I am familar with electronics and have test equipment and kinda figured the same thing, but don't have a service manual, I have not done an alignment on of these in years, and that was an alignment after replacing the vidio heads. what circuit will I be looking for to do a alignment. or what componet would have too much wear.

Thanks Gary

[vtech]

Ok, then you don't need to have the exact service manual.

Basically , you need a known good tape(SP speed--preferably, you should use an alignment tape but a new movie tape will usually suffice). Defeat auto tracking & look at the RF envelope with the scope & maximize it. that's it!

(may have to hunt for the test point but most sony's had some sort of an open plug/connector on the main board that denoted it)

If you have done any, you should have no problem doing that.

By wear I meant mainly the video head itself that could possibly cause the same symptoms.

Btw, (once you maximize the video RF, you'll be maximizing HIFI audio automatically)

[gary777]

Thanks vtech, I do have a few other Sony slv-900 series service manuals to look at.

I'll post how I made out. You could be right though about the heads being worn, there are many , many hours on this unit.

Thanks again, Gary