I picked up a non-working Panasonic DMR-EZ48V VCR/DVD burner combo unit from my local thrift store for 99 cents. Just needed a 25v 100uF & 16v 470uF capacitors replaced.
The most valuable feature is the firewire port, for backing up VHS tapes. Yes, you can burn a DVD, then rip the DVD, and go from there - but it adds several extra steps to your workflow and can cause even more headache if you try to back up an EP tape. Instead, you can record the MPEG stream directly to file regardless of tape length using the firewire port.
Loved your video. Years ago my 41 inch Zenith flat screen ( which I had for years) lost power and I was ready to trash it. Thankfully I did some research and found there was a class action lawsuit for using poor components and they were required to repair effected units irregardless of age. All I had to do was call with the serial numbers, my address and take it off the wall. They sent a technician out and didn’t just change the comments but changed the whole supply board! Done for free, I didn’t even need receipts for the the set. Sometimes research is a wonderful thing.😊😊
I just got a similar unit by Toshiba at a Salvation Army for like $10. I picked it right up hoping it had complete output through HDMI. I grabbed a small TV and a random VHS from the media section and it did play through HDMI! It was in great shape too, with just a scratch on top. I now use it on my main TV. It has a composite input on front which is another main reason why I wanted it. My TV has a stupid pigtail connector for one composite input, which is very annoying. Now I can just plug something right into that unit's front easily and watch it through HDMI too! From what I looked up, The VCR in it may not have any belts, which is a big plus also. I got a remote off eBay for like $12. So just over $20 for something that goes on eBay for $170-220 isn't bad!
The USB and SD card slots are input only to record to DVD. There’s also going to be some copy protection scheme so that you can’t rent a VHS and copy it to a DVD.
My best friend's dad when we were kids use to go to auction sales all the time. This was mid to late 70s. My friend picked up a huge 25 inch color console TV with 8-track, turn table and AM\FM tuner. He got her in his room and started checking out all the devices and couldn't figure out at first why it was not working. He then pulled the 110 volt fuse on the back panel and it was blown. He replaced the fuse and everything worked flawlessly. When new it sold for over a thousand bucks. He got it and a box of tubes and components for a buck.
I can tear apart and reassemble any transmission, any carburetor. Full frame off vehicle restorations? Kit car builds? No problem. But I watch in wonder and awe as you calmly diagnose the nearly intangible world of electronics. You sir have my full admiration!
I randomly arrived here. So, you're the VCR/DVD doctor. I used to have something like this. It was a JVC DVD recorder (didn't have a VCR). The only quirk it had was this ongoing annoying formatting issue. Other than that, at the time, it was great for copying VHS to DVD, or anything I wanted to copy to DVD. Since then, I just copy directly to my computer, but I still have some old VHS tapes I would like to copy to digital, if I ever can figure out what overrides something I think that is called Macrovision. It's some copy protect thing. I have other electronics I would love to update. Bet you can add an aux input to any stereo, and fix a wonky CD player??? Maybe you have videos for these issues?
That's an awesome find. I've never seen a combo unit with HDMI, SD slot and a USB port. And it has a tuner. Man these type of units should have been standard.
I have this exact same model, bought it at a thrift shop about 4 years or more back. It works fine. I don't use it to often now but so far it is good. It does have a few quirks... Before I get to that I was glad to see that you did not give up on it when it was showing the 00000, that is its boot up process and best to wait till it says hello and gives you the ch or VCR or DVD on the display. The quirk mine has is the over the air tuner, when I use the channel buttons on the unit it wants to keep rolling past to the next channel or the other inputs at times. Also this unit will play the SVHS tapes as well, not record on them but play them. Now I have a idea what might be the problem if goes dead...
Yep I fixed this exact unit last year, exact same repair you made. I own its older brother so after the 2021 repair I took mine apart and found a couple dif caps bulged - so I was proactive and replaced them. Thanks for the vid.
Thank you for making and posting this video, it gives me an idea of what is wrong with my JVC VCR, I know I would not be able to fix it myself. Take it in to a repair shop and tell them what the problem is.
The recorded video footage is in a separate video (copyright music). Live now on my channel.
I have two of these for work. Panasonic made the best combo units ever. I’ve literally recorded hundreds of discs on these. They just don’t fail !
The most valuable feature is the firewire port, for backing up VHS tapes. Yes, you can burn a DVD, then rip the DVD, and go from there - but it adds several extra steps to your workflow and can cause even more headache if you try to back up an EP tape. Instead, you can record the MPEG stream directly to file regardless of tape length using the firewire port.
Loved your video. Years ago my 41 inch Zenith flat screen ( which I had for years) lost power and I was ready to trash it. Thankfully I did some research and found there was a class action lawsuit for using poor components and they were required to repair effected units irregardless of age. All I had to do was call with the serial numbers, my address and take it off the wall. They sent a technician out and didn’t just change the comments but changed the whole supply board! Done for free, I didn’t even need receipts for the the set. Sometimes research is a wonderful thing.😊😊
It's incredibly lucky to find a VHS in a thrift shop, they seem rare in general. I always check and would absolutely buy one to relive the glory days
nice result 😀
I just got a similar unit by Toshiba at a Salvation Army for like $10. I picked it right up hoping it had complete output through HDMI. I grabbed a small TV and a random VHS from the media section and it did play through HDMI! It was in great shape too, with just a scratch on top. I now use it on my main TV. It has a composite input on front which is another main reason why I wanted it. My TV has a stupid pigtail connector for one composite input, which is very annoying. Now I can just plug something right into that unit's front easily and watch it through HDMI too! From what I looked up, The VCR in it may not have any belts, which is a big plus also. I got a remote off eBay for like $12. So just over $20 for something that goes on eBay for $170-220 isn't bad!
The USB and SD card slots are input only to record to DVD. There’s also going to be some copy protection scheme so that you can’t rent a VHS and copy it to a DVD.
My best friend's dad when we were kids use to go to auction sales all the time. This was mid to late 70s. My friend picked up a huge 25 inch color console TV with 8-track, turn table and AM\FM tuner. He got her in his room and started checking out all the devices and couldn't figure out at first why it was not working. He then pulled the 110 volt fuse on the back panel and it was blown. He replaced the fuse and everything worked flawlessly. When new it sold for over a thousand bucks. He got it and a box of tubes and components for a buck.
I can tear apart and reassemble any transmission, any carburetor. Full frame off vehicle restorations? Kit car builds? No problem. But I watch in wonder and awe as you calmly diagnose the nearly intangible world of electronics. You sir have my full admiration!
I randomly arrived here. So, you're the VCR/DVD doctor. I used to have something like this. It was a JVC DVD recorder (didn't have a VCR). The only quirk it had was this ongoing annoying formatting issue. Other than that, at the time, it was great for copying VHS to DVD, or anything I wanted to copy to DVD. Since then, I just copy directly to my computer, but I still have some old VHS tapes I would like to copy to digital, if I ever can figure out what overrides something I think that is called Macrovision. It's some copy protect thing. I have other electronics I would love to update. Bet you can add an aux input to any stereo, and fix a wonky CD player??? Maybe you have videos for these issues?
Your video brought back a long forgotten event decades ago....
Great find and always a pleasure watching you think and talk through the repair. Have to give you bonus points for the strange brew DVD.
That's an awesome find. I've never seen a combo unit with HDMI, SD slot and a USB port. And it has a tuner. Man these type of units should have been standard.
I have this exact same model, bought it at a thrift shop about 4 years or more back. It works fine. I don't use it to often now but so far it is good. It does have a few quirks... Before I get to that I was glad to see that you did not give up on it when it was showing the 00000, that is its boot up process and best to wait till it says hello and gives you the ch or VCR or DVD on the display. The quirk mine has is the over the air tuner, when I use the channel buttons on the unit it wants to keep rolling past to the next channel or the other inputs at times. Also this unit will play the SVHS tapes as well, not record on them but play them. Now I have a idea what might be the problem if goes dead...
Yep I fixed this exact unit last year, exact same repair you made. I own its older brother so after the 2021 repair I took mine apart and found a couple dif caps bulged - so I was proactive and replaced them. Thanks for the vid.
I like seeing you fix different things and watching you think your way through it. Impressive skills!
Just found your channel.
Gosh, that was an exceptional find. I've never even heard of such a machine. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for making and posting this video, it gives me an idea of what is wrong with my JVC VCR, I know I would not be able to fix it myself. Take it in to a repair shop and tell them what the problem is.