NOS video equipment? How good is it really

[prmodel3]

I just aquired a NOS Laserdisc player from 1983. The player was brand
new in the box with all its original packing.
Suprise.. suprise, it didn't work. So much for the coveted "NOS"
The slider jumped a tooth so re-setting that wasn't too much trouble.
When I got the unit to play, It did not track nearly as well as a used
unit of the same model I have with 8,000+ hours on it.
For some reason people got into there heads that NOS means the unit
will be absolutly perfect....This is not true.

Asuming the slave labor working in the sweatshops over-seas assembled
it correctly, what could be wrong?
Ignorant collectors will spend big $$$ on a new old stock unit but
will pay considerably less for a comparable used unit that really is
in good working condition,. Go figure.

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

I just aquired a NOS Laserdisc player from 1983. The player was brand
new in the box with all its original packing.
Suprise.. suprise, it didn't work. So much for the coveted "NOS"
The slider jumped a tooth so re-setting that wasn't too much trouble.
When I got the unit to play, It did not track nearly as well as a used
unit of the same model I have with 8,000+ hours on it.
For some reason people got into there heads that NOS means the unit
will be absolutly perfect....This is not true.

Asuming the slave labor working in the sweatshops over-seas assembled
it correctly, what could be wrong?
Ignorant collectors will spend big $$$ on a new old stock unit but
will pay considerably less for a comparable used unit that really is
in good working condition,. Go figure.

Jumped a tooth could be due to shipping without the locking screw
engaged.

NOS just means it wasn't used, not that stuff hasn't rotted over time!

At the very least, connections go bad, pots become dirty, grease gums
up. I bet it can be restored relatively easily though if indeed it
has seen little or no use.

What model?

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[prmodel3]

Jumped a tooth could be due to shipping without the locking screw
engaged.

NOS just means it wasn't used, not that stuff hasn't rotted over time!

At the very least, connections go bad, pots become dirty, grease gums
up. I bet it can be restored relatively easily though if indeed it
has seen little or no use.

What model?

Its the Hitachi VIP9500. I believe this is the first Optical disc
player to use a laserdiode as there is no HeNe tube in it. It was used
in Astron Belt arcade games as well as Galaxy Ranger and in some rare
instances, Cobra Command conversions.
I can't locate a service manual anywhere.

 

[Eeyore]

I just aquired a NOS Laserdisc player from 1983. The player was brand
new in the box with all its original packing.
Suprise.. suprise, it didn't work. So much for the coveted "NOS"
The slider jumped a tooth so re-setting that wasn't too much trouble.
When I got the unit to play, It did not track nearly as well as a used
unit of the same model I have with 8,000+ hours on it.
For some reason people got into there heads that NOS means the unit
will be absolutly perfect....This is not true.

Yes, it's had 24 years for the greases and flexible bits to harden in one
position..

Graham

 

[Eeyore]

Asuming the slave labor working in the sweatshops over-seas assembled
it correctly, what could be wrong?

I doubt it was made overseas.

Graham

 

[James Sweet]

I just aquired a NOS Laserdisc player from 1983. The player was brand
new in the box with all its original packing.
Suprise.. suprise, it didn't work. So much for the coveted "NOS"
The slider jumped a tooth so re-setting that wasn't too much trouble.
When I got the unit to play, It did not track nearly as well as a used
unit of the same model I have with 8,000+ hours on it.
For some reason people got into there heads that NOS means the unit
will be absolutly perfect....This is not true.

Asuming the slave labor working in the sweatshops over-seas assembled
it correctly, what could be wrong?
Ignorant collectors will spend big $$$ on a new old stock unit but
will pay considerably less for a comparable used unit that really is
in good working condition,. Go figure.

Lubrication dries up on old stuff that has been sitting, NOS will likely be
tighter and even more prone to that. The optical assembly should be in great
shape though, and the cosmetic condition is likely better than a used unit.

 

[James Sweet]

I doubt it was made overseas.

Graham

Most of these were built in Japan in the 80s.

 

[Andy Cuffe]

I just aquired a NOS Laserdisc player from 1983. The player was brand
new in the box with all its original packing.
Suprise.. suprise, it didn't work. So much for the coveted "NOS"
The slider jumped a tooth so re-setting that wasn't too much trouble.
When I got the unit to play, It did not track nearly as well as a used
unit of the same model I have with 8,000+ hours on it.
For some reason people got into there heads that NOS means the unit
will be absolutly perfect....This is not true.

Asuming the slave labor working in the sweatshops over-seas assembled
it correctly, what could be wrong?
Ignorant collectors will spend big $$$ on a new old stock unit but
will pay considerably less for a comparable used unit that really is
in good working condition,. Go figure.

The other suggestions are good. Other parts to check would be
capacitors. They don't like sitting unused for a long time and some
may need to be replaced. Performance may improve with use as
mechanical parts loosen up and caps re-form.

Have you cleaned the lens? New plastics outgas and can coat optics
with a foggy film (like the windows in a new car). This would be much
worse on a player that's sealed in the box than one in normal use.
Andy Cuffe

[email protected]

 

[Michael Kennedy]

Most of these were built in Japan in the 80s.

I like to buy stuff from Japan, but Chinese crap is crap most of the time.
Especially back then but you are correct in saying it is made overseas.