CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[yellowgoodgirl99]

I just got a Zenith VP4000 with remote and when I load a disc it makes a buzzing sound and none of the functions work. Need to power off and on to unload the disc. Wondering if anyone knows if I am just dealing with belts or some more serious mechanical issue. I am willing to put a little into it because it appears to be a rare model. Thanks for any input. By the way the cosmetics are also excellent.

Jim C
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chiro3104

[blindfury420]

Very nice find! One of only 4 that I have heard of or seen! Did it come with a box? Where did you find it? Tell us more about how you got it! Sorry for the questions haha!

The buzzing sound can be a few things. It is likely belts though. Are you able to take video or pictures? This is a toshiba clone so there is 3 belts, load, arm and turntable. I will assume the noise you hear is either the turntable motor or the load belt. Tom has made a guide for toshiba belt replacement!

http://www.cedmagic.com/tech-info/toshiba-pulley/toshiba-pulley.html

If you can show us video or pictures with the top off we can help narrow it down if you cannot find the noise!
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I dont own

McMicheal 5001h
Hitachi VIP202P
JCP 686-5705
RCA SKT265, SKT300
RCA SJT400X, SJT425

[yellowgoodgirl99]

I will try to take some pics inside and out. Not sure how to load them. I do not have the box but have everything else. Most of my collecting has been vintage audio and radio. All I know is if you find a piece that presents close to new then minor parts of wear are unimportant. I just do not want to modify this in any way as many Marantz collectors have done to vintage units. Also the discs themselves are very cool and I suspect due to their short period of manufacture will become quite collectable. I appreciate the input. My wife got this for me at Goodwill for $8.38 so basically pocket change. When I found this site I realized that this is a keeper. When I get the time I will replace all the belts and see how it performs. I guess you have to figure after 30 years rubberized parts are shot. The machine does load and eject and the light on the right functions so I am hoping it came from a caring owner who did not abuse it. Probably an elderly person who passed or went into a nursing home. Typical for the midwest.
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chiro3104

[blindfury420]

Thanks for the info! You got that on the cheap for sure! No worries about modding it, you have no reason to do that even if its electronic and not just belts and stylus. If you go the metal pulley route it just slips on and you can just keep the old one. I also forgot to tell you to have the stylus checked by the cedatum team at www.cedatum.com They will check your stylus for free and clean it! If it needs repair or rebuild they will let you know! Its cheap and they are the only ones in the world who do it! First I would send the stylus out then get the belts in it and then you can really check if it functions with the refurbed stylus and new belts! Got to have both to test! Tell your wife very nice find!

Here is my z vp4000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ywQNllZDg&list=UUV1MzLejRJQqVuBdfP1kHHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8WFm4HpzUM&list=UUV1MzLejRJQqVuBdfP1kHHg
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I dont own

McMicheal 5001h
Hitachi VIP202P
JCP 686-5705
RCA SKT265, SKT300
RCA SJT400X, SJT425

[Raintree]

Hi, yellowgoodgirl99,

I'm posting this for my Dad, who cannot due to a disability.

He wanted to let you know that, should you decide you cannot restore the player, he'd like to buy it or trade something for it. He's got many vintage electronics. Anyway, it's one he's been looking for about 20 yrs now.

He says the hardest part to getting it to run will be the turntable belt, as original specs belt is no longer available. He says a modification to the pulley with addition of a round belt would be the way to get it to run. Other two needed belts are still available.

[blindfury420]

nvm
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I dont own

McMicheal 5001h
Hitachi VIP202P
JCP 686-5705
RCA SKT265, SKT300
RCA SJT400X, SJT425

[SelectaVision420]

i put a groove in my stock pulley on my 4000 and it works great with the updated belt
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(2)Sears 274 & 934(80150,10&11350), sft100, sgt250, sjt 090-400, vp550, VDR3000, VP2000 & 4000
complete '84 Dimensia Owner

[blindfury420]

[yellowgoodgirl99]

I no longer have an older TV so I was connecting the yellow video cable to the green component input of my DLP. I am wondering if the new digital flat screens will support the CED signal. I appreciate the support. I will probably open it up this week to see if it is something I want to deal with. I have worked with many turntables and tube electronics but this looks like new technology mixed with belt driven mechanisms. I am curious if there is a schematic. If I decide it is just going to sit then I might consider selling as I only have 2 movies.
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chiro3104

[SelectaVision420]

well if you decide that its something you are going to pass on, please make sure raintree gets it, his dad will know just how to fix it, and it will surely be used
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(2)Sears 274 & 934(80150,10&11350), sft100, sgt250, sjt 090-400, vp550, VDR3000, VP2000 & 4000
complete '84 Dimensia Owner

[SelectaVision420]

[Raintree]

Dad says that if Charley isn't doing it anymore, the pully can be grooved with a lathe and proper sized cutting tool.

He also said hat it can be done in a mickey mouse way with the pully attached to a tighten-down drill stem like that used to attach circular sander pads to a drill and with a drill that's locked in a vice, and a bent nail clamped in a vice grip with head out. The nailhead would serve to carve the groove, but you gotta have a steady hand. This would allow use of the round belt.

Anyway, he'd greatly appreciate the VP 4000 should you decide to sell or trade it. Especially since his deal for the rare Sanyo player fell through.

[blindfury420]

[Beetlescott]

[Beetlescott]

[SelectaVision420]

[cbertra2]

I use a 3mm gage pin in a 5c collet on the lathe. I slide the pulley onto the gage pin until it contacts the collet. I then tighten the two set screws. I pick up center using a 1/8 inch full radius lathe groove tool then plunge in .135 which is .0675 radially. When I get to depth I move .005 to the left then ,005 to the right. I finish with 400 grit sand paper to get rid of the sharp edges and smooth out the groove. the finished dimensions are .135 wide and .0675 deep.

[SelectaVision420]

[ketonic_dude]

yellowgoodgirl99, congrats on the find. I'm begging to wonder if they were just a Midwest thing. I'm from Mankato, MN and found two VP4000's from a gentleman in Nebraska. His mother owned the Zenith Dealership in town and received the players towards the end of CED Production. From what I have heard they only send out a handful of them to dealerships. Hard to say how many are out there but I'd be surprised if they made more than 50 or so and of those it's even harder to say how many have survived this long. blindfury420 and SelectaVision420 are who my players went to. I know raintree would be absolutely tickled pink to own one. If you do decide to sell it to him I'd be happy to send you a working player for just shipping cost as I'd just love for raintree to own a VP4000. Or better yet, if you ever make it up my way you can pick up a player and I have about 1,000 spare discs your welcome to pick through and take whatever you want. Always happy to help out a fellow collector. I also know a gentleman in Des Moines who recently picked up around 1,000 discs and several players who I could get you in contact with as well. If you decide anything or just want to talk CED feel free to email me ketonic_dude@hotmail.com hope that helps.