Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Mitsu VCR HS-U530
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05-20-01, 10:57 AM
The VCR is almost three years old; no problems until now. Three weeks ago, there was a power outage in our area. When power was restored, the juice was on and off about four times in less than a minute and a half. After that, the VCR clock was off; had trouble resetting. Read owners manual, pushed button on rear and was able to reset clock.However, the remote works only intermittantly; when trying to view a tape--sprockets move, counter works, but no picture on either channel 3 or 4. Unplugged unit, let it rest about 15 minutes. After that, we were able to view a tape---once. Now, back to square one. When I tried a tape again last night--the clock reverted one hour back to daylight standard time. Should I just forget it?? the biggest problem is that this is in a wall unit, attached to a 35 inch TV and sat. box. It takes three men to move the TV and replace the VCR. So, if you have any clue of what I might try prior to calling neighbors in, it would be greatly appreciated.
Smokey
05-21-01, 01:35 PM
Good Afternoon, Frank T:
Six will get you five and half your money back if you lose: You didn't have any surge protection on that equipment. Right?
I suspect the VCR to a surge from the line (some of them exceed 1000 volts) and snuffed the control chip in the VCR.
There isn't any quick fix on this problem except pull the VCR and replace the chip and E-Prom. Once the chip has been surged, there is no end to fault problems from this unit.
Sorry I couldn't be more positive on the problem but if you want further details, just add to this thread.
Smokey ;)
Six will get you five and half your money back if you lose: You didn't have any surge protection on that equipment. Right?
I suspect the VCR to a surge from the line (some of them exceed 1000 volts) and snuffed the control chip in the VCR.
There isn't any quick fix on this problem except pull the VCR and replace the chip and E-Prom. Once the chip has been surged, there is no end to fault problems from this unit.
Sorry I couldn't be more positive on the problem but if you want further details, just add to this thread.
Smokey ;)
05-22-01, 10:03 AM
Thanks for the info. It makes sense. The unit is not plugged into a surge protector--however, at the main box for the house--since we live in Florida with many t-storms, we did have a whole house breaker installed in the panel. It still is reading green. Does that mean, that for $125. for the breaker and installation--that it did not work???? If it still is green, I take that for a good sign. Appreciate any info you have, and thanks again for the reply
Smokey
05-22-01, 11:17 AM
Good Morning, Frank T:
I have family in Florida and understand the breaker you are talking about. It will disconnect if lightning strikes the power lines preventing huge problems inside the house. But, it is not effective for spikes on the AC line.
In Fort Myers/Lehigh Acres area, computers and electronic equipment are routinely snuffed by surges up to a 1000 volts. The surges only last a few millionths of a second and your "whole house" breaker will not respond that fast.
You need surge protection at the outlet for electronic equipment. Radio Shack carries a complete line of passive and active surge protection devices that will take care of these "Micro-Spikes".
It's significant to note that a lot folks using computers in that area are using UPS (Uninterrupted Power Sources) to keep the spikes from snuffing the CPU.
Smokey ;)
I have family in Florida and understand the breaker you are talking about. It will disconnect if lightning strikes the power lines preventing huge problems inside the house. But, it is not effective for spikes on the AC line.
In Fort Myers/Lehigh Acres area, computers and electronic equipment are routinely snuffed by surges up to a 1000 volts. The surges only last a few millionths of a second and your "whole house" breaker will not respond that fast.
You need surge protection at the outlet for electronic equipment. Radio Shack carries a complete line of passive and active surge protection devices that will take care of these "Micro-Spikes".
It's significant to note that a lot folks using computers in that area are using UPS (Uninterrupted Power Sources) to keep the spikes from snuffing the CPU.
Smokey ;)
05-23-01, 08:14 AM
Good Morning to you, Smokey:
Thanks again for the additional information. When we first bought the computer, we bought a surge protector for the computer and all the accessories. It did not have a phone line in and out, though(The saleman never mentioned it, and being a novice, I never considered it). Long story short--bad storm comes in August, the modem is fried. I guess we were lucky. So, we now have a surge protector with phone in and out.
The TV and VCR are in a large wall unit. All accessories are plugged into a power strip. Since it takes three men to move the 35" TV from the tight space it is in, when we replace the VCR, we will replace the power strip with a surge strip. Do you have any idea if it is worth getting the VCR fixed. The main reason we bought Mitsu is because the TV is Mitsu, and the remotes would be compatible without any programming(Pretty lazy, eh??)
Anyway, thanks again for your time.
Frank T.
Thanks again for the additional information. When we first bought the computer, we bought a surge protector for the computer and all the accessories. It did not have a phone line in and out, though(The saleman never mentioned it, and being a novice, I never considered it). Long story short--bad storm comes in August, the modem is fried. I guess we were lucky. So, we now have a surge protector with phone in and out.
The TV and VCR are in a large wall unit. All accessories are plugged into a power strip. Since it takes three men to move the 35" TV from the tight space it is in, when we replace the VCR, we will replace the power strip with a surge strip. Do you have any idea if it is worth getting the VCR fixed. The main reason we bought Mitsu is because the TV is Mitsu, and the remotes would be compatible without any programming(Pretty lazy, eh??)
Anyway, thanks again for your time.
Frank T.
Smokey
05-23-01, 08:37 AM
Good Morning, Frank T.:
The decision to repair or replace will have to be yours to make. Repair costs are a variable from one area to another and you might get a good deal. Or, they might make it a painful experience. Best course of action is to get an estimate on it and then decide.
And, I can't fault a man for having an ideal remote control set up. It's our priviledge, isn't it? LOL
Smokey ;)
The decision to repair or replace will have to be yours to make. Repair costs are a variable from one area to another and you might get a good deal. Or, they might make it a painful experience. Best course of action is to get an estimate on it and then decide.
And, I can't fault a man for having an ideal remote control set up. It's our priviledge, isn't it? LOL
Smokey ;)