CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[thepza]

I just found an SFT100 player with a bunch of discs--I'd only heard of this format, never seen it so I had to get it. The player works but every disc I've tried in it skips...a lot. One disc gets to a certain point (about 2 minutes in) before it skips back to the beginning. All others tested skip every few minutes and have the occasional wavy line (or rainbow) through the picture.

Would you suspect the main problem is that the discs haven't been used for so long and they need some pre-plays before expecting a good quality, slip-free viewing? Or should I be doing something else first?

The FFW and RWD buttons don't seem to do anything...could that be a problem with the discs as well?

Any advice, tear-down videos, repair manuals, etc. are welcome!

Anyhow, I look forward to fixing this up and playing around with it. As best as I can tell, all of the films I have are fairly common.

Mike

[Rixrex]

Some of that has to do with the discs not being played in a while, particularly that video loss with rainbow effect. You could also have a dirty or worn stylus. What I'd do is either get a proven good working stylus, or send mine to CEDATUM.com to have it either cleaned properly or rebuilt.

After that, you can recheck the play of discs and general operation of the player, and you probably will still get some video drop-out, but that will clear up with playing.

Most players, especially the SFT/SGT models that have sat a long time need a good cleaning and routine servicing to bring them up to good playing operation.

[thepza]

[SelectaVision420]

the best way to check it is with something that has high magnification, the stylus needle is tiny compared to a record player's. its easy to remove, the door on top of the player has a button on the back to unlatch the door, and then the read arm is exposed where the stylus is housed, there should be instructions on or near the stylus with directions to operate the trap door that holds the stylus cartridge into the tracking arm.
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[thepza]

I do have the original owner's manual (which is tiny). I flipped through it and I think it mentioned how to access the stylus.

What should I be looking for on the needle? Just any signs of damage?

[SelectaVision420]

[Rixrex]

Even with high magnification, it's not easy to tell if a stylus is too worn. The folks at CEDATUM will clean it if it is still good and return it to you and I think they either do it free or for a tiny charge. They have all the proper tools on hand to do this.

Visibvle dirt is another thing. You can typically clean this off with a fine artists brush dipped in rubbing alcohol, and carefully brushing the stylus.

[thepza]

Many thanks, guys. I'll check it out and (likely) get in touch with cedatum.

[SelectaVision420]

[thepza]

Well, I should be getting my cleaned and adjusted stylus/needle back from CEDatum soon.

The finding:
As received the stylus works but has low downward pressure on the disc. The fly-lead was re-aligned to RCA specifications and the diamond tip was cleaned under a microscope. The stylus now makes a nice picture and sound and we rate is as Grade A-. It has many play hours left on it. Adjusting the downward pressure of the stylus tip on the disc should reduce skipping.

He charged $8 for the work--and did it quickly. So with shipping both ways, it cost less than $20 and I'll be one step closer to a nicely operational CED player

[SelectaVision420]

[Rixrex]

That's good and they are very fine people to deal with at CEDatum.

I completely overlooked the stylus alignment and pressure. Something I have seen on some stili I have, but I forgot about that.