ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I came across one of these impressive machines,and although they seem to be sadly consigned to the "dead as the Do-Do" category these day's,they can be useful yet!
I remembered how well built they were(by Hitachi)of course,and that they could be used as hi-fi audio recorder's too (up to eight hours recording time at cd quality)
Worth a little tinkering I thought,but this one has me puzzled!
It's completely inactive appart from the stand-by light.No response to button presses at the front keyboard,or from remote control commands via compatible B&O tv.
All the correct supplies are present,but there is no life (as we know it?)
The memory back up battery has long since expired of course,but this shouldn't stop the machine working?
Any clue's from other "old un's" out there.?
Thanks
Nick
There are some VX related threads in the archived forum (sadly most of the pictures are missing).
Maybe try this one for starters: https://archivedarchivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/10306/76512.aspx#76512:
Capacitors, capacitors and capacitors.All of them.And that's A LOT !
Martin
Thanks for the replies.
I have vivid memories of re-capping these machines,using the essential tool combination of soldering iron, mop/sucker,and a six pack(at least) of Foster's lager!!!
This particular machine seems to have had an easy life,and doesn't have the tell tale signs of having being confined in a cabinet for years,gently simmering due to the notorious poor ventilation!!
The main control upc just seems to have gone into a deep slumber!
Dewy nostalgia has taken me over,and will probably lead to more teeth marks along the edge of the workbench,but hey ho?
Well,the control upc came to life!!!
It transpires that the reset circuit,which is in fact a special device,was being confused by the fact that the memo battery was exhausted!!!
I was partly fooled too by the fact that the upc run's unusually cool,and was in fact running but in a random state?
A brutal manual reset would bring it out of it's confused state,but oddly not a disconnect.
So,a new memo battery is required,and then a quiet period undisturbed,to replace all those dodgy cap's!Mad I know,but what a machine!
I´ve not yet tested my VX5000 and VX7000 that are standing on a shelf. Will see what status they have when I move to a new hose there I plan to connect one of those to my LX5500 in palisander to use as a extra TV in the bedroom together with one of the music system (not shore which one BC9500, BS4500 or BS6500). What I remember what I liked most with the VX5000 in combination with the LX or MX televisions is the added digital features that was quite unique at that time - that this unit added picture in picture, slow motion of live TV´s etc. //Stefan
BS3 DVB-HD, BV7-40 MKIII, BC6-26, BC6-23, BV4-50/BS2, BS5, BS9000, BL3500, MLGW, BLGW, PlayMaker, - BS6500, BS4500, LX6000, VX7000, MX5500, VX5000 - Beo6, Beo5, BeoTimex2, Linctonic
Yes indeed,the system you have is the "classic" combination.The VX5000 becomes even more versatile when employed in a link system.It can not only be used as either programmable audio or video recorder,but also as signal router to relay images from central sources to other rooms.
Only the VX5000 has the digital storage/processing module,the later machines were simplified.
Judging by the machine that I'm currently tinkering with,the main problems are not just failed capacitors,but also that the electrolyte from them leaks on to the pcb and causes all sorts of havoc.
It's more a full restoration project than repair,but if you have some VHS tapes to play,it's rather satisfying to get one of these machines back in working order.Scrapping such a sophisticated piece of kit seems tragic?
Good luck with your's
I have a (mostly?) working VX5000. I have yet to see the digital features in action, apparently because I only have an MX6000 with the late Beo4 / IT firmware. None of the special functions show up anywhere in the menus. I believe you would have to have a contemporary telly model (MX/LX5500?) or at least the early Beo 1000 compatible firmware.
Basic VCR functions of course work.
--mika
I understand that the digital features were lost when using the machine in conjunction with eg an MX/LX 45/5000 or 6000 tv,but I can't remember why,other than software used in the later set's?
The VX45/5000 and 5500 all had a remote control sensor option,so that the machine could be used with other makes of tv.I'll dig out my notes,but I wonder if the digital functions can be accessed that way?
I remember that they were not only picture in picture,but also picture mosaic,and I think picture freeze?