Few days ago, I've bought a charming VX 5000 VCR. Nevre heard before about it, but I've been impressed by the design and the quality feeling comin out from the unit.

As I supposed, the unit was faulty: thanks to the tricks in this forum, I've been able to solve the capstan problems, by replacing some bad capacitors.

But... the unit has still some problems:

1. to activate the unit, I have to connect and disconnect the AC plug several times. After these attempts, finally I've to press several times the PLAY button in short sequences to be able to start the cassette play. This happens after EVERY standby

2. even if the audio output is very good, I'm still not able to obtain any visible screen, both via SCART plug and via RF output (antenna). It seems like the synchro signal is not detected, or something like this

How can I proceed in order to detect the reasons of these faults ?

Many thanks in advance, Paolo 

 

 

 

You have purchased probably the most advanced VCR made by B&O. It is however the most complex and has a tendency to overheat. I do have a working one though I rarely use it as it either needs a particular B&O set or an external sensor to get the most out of it. I don't have the service manual but hope to relatively soon. A friend is on the look out for a battered copy that I can rip apart to scan!

The VX5000/5500 has very serious problems with the caps. More or less ALL of them must be replaced, sorry, that's a lot of work.

 This here is the real amount of bad caps of ONE VX5000. They are all bad after 20 years.

 Especially the 3.3uf caps are the worst s..t ever used in a B&O.

And one of them is your problem...

 OK, first try... on the upper mainboard is the video switch section, grid B2 B3, there are a lot of 3.3uF caps, 2x100uf and 1x470uf next to the foil cable. Replace all these caps first, use 105 degree types and miniature types. They have one big advantage: they are easier to replace and then there is more cooling air around these parts... it does not become so hot any more. Usually this is the section if you have a black picture.

 But... be sure it wont last very long, then the next cap fails. I have tried several times, just tu repair the real defect parts of them, but it's impossible. Even after some minutes or hours testing the next one fails. I recommend to replace ALL caps. Replacing only some of them will fail sooner or later.

 Begin with the power supply and the 12V regulator unit, capstan upper mainboard, lower mainboard.

 Have you checked the lithium cell? If this cell fails, you have usually this defect that it does not startup correctly.

Martin

 

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/thread/76448.aspx

Many thanks to you all for the helping hand. As soon as possible, I will begin to replace these damned caps

I will let you know the results

Ciao, Paolo