Rod, at 16:01 on Mar 19 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

RS> Looks like I have had another failure on my rather elderly NEC N895EA VCR.

Should have pissed it off while you had the chance.

RS> Its now lost sound. That is both whats recorded on a tape played back in
RS> the other VCR and on the audio sockets on the back of the N895 as well,
RS> so it seems clear there aint no sound being extracted from the RF signal.

Sounds like you mean that the audio is no longer there on normal E-E (i.e.
when using the VCR as a tuner) ?

RS> The sound is there, but extremely weak, even with the audio amp flat
RS> out the most you can do is recognise that what little sound there
RS> is is still in synch with the picture as you change channels.

That's not a common problem on ANY VCR, and the only times I've had it in
the past have been on older Sanyos where electros have dried out in the IF
stage.  At the very least you'll need the full circuit diagram, and some
pretty good diagnostic skills.  Chances are you have neither, and I'd be
inclined to take it to an NEC agent for a quote.  My guess is that it won't
be a cheap repair.

RS> Still plays back previously recorded tapes
RS> fine sound wise which isnt surprising.

So that eliminates almost everything except the tuner's SIF.  If you had
access to another of the same model, you could swap boards to isolate the
actual problem area.  For example, it could be something as simple as a
high on the system control board muting the E-E audio, rather than a fault
in the audio IF itself.  Had you considered asking Paul for his expert
opinion?  :)

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20