CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

andrewwild

Hi, i am new to the forum having purchased a Hitachi VIP201P, when i insert the disc it begins to play, the stylus moves from standby position to the 0 position but then it makes a clicking sound, with the cabinet top off the long red belt at the back is the one making the clicking, it is not moving the gears, just slipping off and making the clicking noise, also when i press reset the disc stays lowered down and will not raise back up so i can remove it, i have to take the top off and raise it by hand, can anyone help me with these problems ?, Many Thanks, Andy

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

Hi,

That's what happens when there's an obstruction for some reason. If you press Reset while the head is in transit to the edge of the disc, you'll get the same sound as it tries to push the head through the side of the player!

Check there's no obstructions and make sure the head is actually moving correctly. Isn't that belt moved by a worm gear? If so try turning that and see if you can manually move the head - if you can't, that's the problem.... remember to turn the worm gear not the round gear though (if it is a worm gear).

Sounds like something physically wrong though, so shouldn't be too hard to fix.
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andrewwild · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

Hi, thanx for the advice, i tried moving the worm gear manually and the arm moved right across the disc and i moved it back to rest again, but when i try and let the player do it itself it goes back to the clicking sound and the arm trying 2 move but it wont, do u think the timing and or arm belt needs replaced, the arm belt doesnt look to be in great condition, i do have some on the way ?, Many Thanx, Andy

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

The loading belt may be bad, which would cause the disc not to be retrieved correctly (this happened in mine) but the big red belt should be ok, as it's serrated, isn't it? In other words it should grip just fine.

You need to find out what's actually making the clicking noise.

Sorry, I can't really help much more...
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andrewwild · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

Hi, i have looked in more detail, it now works to a degree, when i load a disc and press play the arm does move, although it does not stop at the play position, it moves as far as it can go to the right and tries to keep moving, thats what the noise it, because the red belt slips off as the arm cannot move any further, it just keep doing that until i press reset, and it does this every time, i cannot actually get the arm to stop at the play position so that it can play a disc, i now havent a clue what i can do to get playback

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

That makes sense....

You're not running this with the PCB lifted up are you? Because from memory there's a light sensor on the PCB which stops the arm, so when the PCB is lifted it'll keep going forever.....
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andrewwild · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:

I have tried running it with the PCB lifted up and with the PCB down, it still does the same, it tries to keep going forever whichever position the PCB is in, i really appreciate all the help you have given on this matter.

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

If I remember correctly, there's something on the cartridge that goes through the light sensor...if I'm right about that, you could try lifting the PCB, pressing Play and then putting some paper or something between the light and the sensor, and seeing if it responds. Try doing it with a caddy in (but no disc) so you don't risk damaging the disc. If that doesn't work you may just need a new sensor.

Remember there's 240V in that case though! Be very careful and don't go near the transformer!

Also be aware I may be barking up completely the wrong tree here!
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andrewwild · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

Thanks, i will give that a try soon and post my findings, Many Thanks, Andy

andrewwild · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:01 am Post subject:

Hi, sorry i have looked everywhere and cannot locate a light or sensor anywhere, i may not be looking properly but am sure there is no light or sensor, there definately doesnt appear to be one on the PCB and i cannot locate one anywhere else

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

That's very strange. I'm sure there was something like that on mine. It was a little black nobbly thing raised from the PCB (on the arm side, of course), with a slot that the arm passed through. I remember trying it with the PCB raised and watching the arm try to go to the centre of the disc before the motor started clicking when it got to the end - that's what made me look for the sensor in the first place.
I could be mistaken, or it may be a different revision (unlikely though)... if I get chance I'll take a look in mine.
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andrewwild · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks, i think the clicking noise in mine is the same as you mentioned when u had your PCB lifted, except mine does it regardless, now that u mentioned the black bit on the PCB i think i know what you mean, do you think that it could just need replaced, or checked in detail to see if anything stands out, i will have a look, i really want to get this player working as i have 85 good pal CED discs and i really want to hang onto them.

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

There's basically three options as I see it -
1) the sensor is dead. Most likely.
2) The connection between the sensor and the controlling IC is dead - if it goes through a transistor then this is quite possible!
3) The controlling IC is dead. Possible, but I'd have though in this case it just wouldn't work at all.

Have you tried obstructing the sensor manually? Are you sure the cartridge is passing through the sensor correctly?
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andrewwild · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:18 am Post subject:

Hi, i have located the sensor, i put in a disc and pressed play, the arm moves across and it passes straight through the sensor and keeps on going, it is just a screwed on black metal piece on top of the arm that passes through it, is that correct ?, i haven't tried obscuring it manually, would just placing something like a piece of card or paper through it when the arm begins to move work ?, if the sensor is damaged where would i get a replacement, apart from a spares machine is there anywhere else i could get hold of one ?, Many Thanks, Andy

andrewwild · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

I have checked the sensor manually as you described and nothing happens so im assuming that it is brocken

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

If it is that that's broken then you'll need to somehow replace the phototransistor or photodiode. The LED will almost certainly be fine.

I can't really help much more - Tom might be able to (the admin of this site) as he's a very knowledgable chap, but I think unless you're at least handy with a soldering iron it may be better to take it to someone who knows what to do.

If you do decide to get another player give me a yell and I'll give you a bit of cash for your broken one - I like trying to fix things. Smile

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andrewwild · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:44 am Post subject:

Hi, i do have experience with a soldering iron but the whole situation sounds abit complicated for me, i think i'll just keep my eye out for a good working player as ive got plenty of discs and ive got enough spare stlyus's to last me awhile, and i could sell mine like you suggested, i'll let you know if i do, many thanks for all your help, it has been greatly appreciated.

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

That's probably the best idea, yes. You can get them fairly cheap on eBay after all....

Let me know when and if you want to off-load your broken player!
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andrewwild · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject:

Just a question in General, not player related but disc related, out of all my discs i have 3 or 4 strange discs that say (Stereo - Will play on any CED Player), i'm assuming these discs can be played on both PAL and NTSC Players, is this correct ?

Spirantho · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

No, they'll only work on PAL ones. Remember Stereo was a big thing back then, so people may have thought it wouldn't play on a mono player.

I've tracked down a spare CED player if it's any use to you. I'll PM you with his address....
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