DIYbanter - View Single Post - Hitachi Hi8 camcorder tracking adjustment

(Ken G.) wrote in news:24790-3FF45EE2-433@storefull-
2311.public.lawson.webtv.net:

Yes that model usedthe same tape mech as several others did .
What has happened is one or both of the tracking posts that keep the
tape aligned on the head have become lose and threaded themselves out
of
adjustment .
First thing to do is try to carfully turn each post . If one or both
turn with NO effort at all it has become loose .
The tracking posts are screwed in and held with a tiny set screw . The
set screw has come loose and let the posts turn .

Simple repair but getting to it on most models is very difficult as i
have done many of them .
You need a tape with recordings from a good cam then simply play it in
your Hitatchi and adjust the tracking posts back right .
Many times the one that comes loose turns very free . if it wont turn
free its probably ok .
The next thing is gettng the set screw back tight beause its hard to
get
at and requires a tiny alan wrench .

If you manage to get at the post & adjust it and have no luck you will
not have hurt anything and a repair shop can get it adjusted . This
should not cost much and if they do tr to charge 100$ go to another
shop
this is a simple adjustment .

OR you may just have something loged in the very back of one of the
tracks that the tracking posts ride next to the head so check that
while
you are in there .

Good luck .

Thanks much, your suggestions were right on. I needed some help from a
service manual to figure out how to open the case on this thing. A real
rubrics cube of a disassembly. Adjusting the posts while the tape was
running got the picture and sound back.