CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[rsrendfeld]

How do I pack a player to make sure it arrives undamaged?

I know about the shipping locks for the SJT / SKT players and I bought some of the aftermarket shipping tags / screws from Cedatum.
What else can be done to prepair a SJT / SKT player for shipment?

I know that the SGT players had a 'Packing Block' in the stylus access opening but I've never seen one. Anyone have a picture or know the dimensions of the 'Packing Block'?

Ron in Indianapolis, IN

[Rixrex]

Make sure you place the player in the box right side up for this reason:

Another common problem with SJT/SKT players shipped by today's available shippers is the likely possibility that the box will end upside down at some point. This causes the turntable to shift up and down a small amount in the player. While not a big deal in itself, the turntable can slide down the stem, then when a disc is inserted, it will scrape or scuff on the case under the turntable. Bouncing of the box can cause this too, so the upright position must be really evident on the box

Even with this, more than half of the players I ship end up this way. The only way to avoid it is to either glue down the turntable where it meets the stem, or secure the turntable inside the case with tape or something. To do that the recipient must know enough to open the case and remove the securing item.

I typically make sure the recipient knows this might happen, and if it does, how to easily reset the trntable on the stem. It's simply a matter of lifting up the turntable a bit and holding it, and a tap or two on the stem to knock it down into place. Then the turntable should move freely without scraping.

[7jlong]

Personally if I had to ship an SJT and wanted to be sure the turntable survived I'd remove it altogether. Turntable wobble can be fatal, and a long-suspected cause has been shock to the player (particularly if it takes a hit during playback). They balanced the tables pretty carefully before they left the plant, and from old discussions I don't think anyone found a good way to re-true a turntable if it was in trouble.

Removing the turntable is very easy on an SJT/SKT.

You first want to get the receiver spindle rod out of the way. This is the black rod that guides the disc downward when it is loaded. It can be removed by rotating it 90 degrees and sliding it out of the chassis.

Next you grab the turntable (the four tear-shaped cuts make a good gripping point; pulling up the edges could potentially warp the platter) and carefully lift it clear of the transfer rod - the metal rod that is protruding through the turntable with a plastic cap on it. This will allow you to rotate the turntable until you find the cuts that allow it to be lifted out of the player. Ease it carefully around the bars that run across the chassis and you can lift it free of the player for packing up separately.

Be careful to watch for the little tiny thrust plate (less than a 1/4" in diameter) that sits at the bottom under the spindle. Sometimes it liberates itself in the turntable removal process and falls out. Other times it gets grabbed by the magnets under the turntable. Or, it might have stayed down in the well. Sometimes this thrust plate is just missing. It isn't a super-critical component, but prevents wear to the spindle, and a turntable height adjustment should probably be performed if it is gone.

Replacing the turntable is a snap. Basically the above going backwards - guide the spindle into place and then carefully rotate until the table drops back down to the proper height. If the receiver isn't comfortable with putting the turntable back themselves I dare suggest they've picked the wrong hobby - no player I've ever dealt with went without some poking around inside even after fixing up all failed components!

[Rixrex]

I agree, it's an easy procedure.

I have some people who want these players who would never figure out the proper way to re-install the turntable. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the general public are terribly lame when it comes to these things.

20-30 yrs ago, these people couldn't figure out how to set a VCR for recording, and refused to read instructions. It was always: Just show me how and I can do it. Except the same people always called you back to show them how again, until VCRplus was invented.

These same types are the ones today who set their TVs at the wrong aspect ratio, looking at stretched out or cut-off images. They can't figure out that their new TV tuner will now do what the cable box does, so they just keep paying rent on the box. They are lost setting up the DVD player properly, and they set their HD or BR players at standard resolution without knowing better. They can't tell the difference between old fashioned stereo and Dolby Digital or DTS, as long as it comes out all the speakers anyway.

These type of people are in no way able to reinstall a turntable. I had one person in Colorado who bought a player, assured me they knew what they were doing, inserted the disc wrong and broke a part, demanded a repair saying it was my fault somehow sending a defective player, and then returned the player packed so badly it arrived wrecked, then demanded a full refund when I told them the player was broken beyond repair.

[Beetlescott]

ouch
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1000 titles
SGT-250
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Montgomery Ward
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