Cleaning a Sony Digibeta DVW-A510P/A500P

In 23 easy steps

What you will need;

Figure 1 - tools for cleaning

Figure 2 - test tape

• A Flat head screwdriver (5-7mm)
• A Phillips No. 2 screwdriver
• A Phillips No. 1 screwdriver
• Replacement air filter
• Lint free wipes
• Isopropyl alcohol
• A vinyl glove
• A test tape

(See figures 1 & 2)

1. Check that the machine is not in use, and that you’re working on the correct machine.
2. Switch off the machine, (figure 3) and pull it out of its bay.


Figure 3 - power switch

3. Undo the 3 flat-head srews on top, and lift off the lid (screws circled in figure 4.)


Figure 4 - the lid

4. There is a metal plate covering the upper mechanism area, with two black plastic sliding catches. Slide these catches inwards, and the plate should lift out. Very little force is needed. (See figure 5.)


Figure 5 - cover doohickey

5. The next plate towards the front of the machine is secured by two Phillips head screws (marked in figure 6.) Remove these, and lift off the plate.


Figure 6 - lower cover

6. The cassette loading mechanism has a white 8 way edge type connector on its upper-right corner. Pull this out carefully (see figure 7.)


Figure 7 - edge connecter!

7. The cassette transport should now lift out. Gripping the central strut, lift the far side first, to free the part near the front of the machine (see figure 8.) Again, this shouldn’t require any force.


Figure 8 - lifting out the load-o-matic

8. There is a black plastic cover on top of the drum, secured by two Phillips screws on its left side (marked on figure 9.) Remove these two screws (using the No. 1 phillips driver,) and lift off the cover. Take care not to damage the ribbon cable slotted into the lower right of the cover.


Figure 9 - drum cover; remove circled screws

9. Put some alcohol on a cleaning cloth, wearing a glove on the hand that is holding the cloth.
10. Holding the cloth still against the groove on the side of the drum, and spin the drum anticlockwise using the exposed part on top. (See figure 10.) Never move the cloth vertically while doing this. Check the cloth. Repeat the action, using a clean part of the cloth, until no more dirt is removed.


Figure 10 - cleaning action

11. Clean the clear plastic scraper. This is mounted away from the drum, at about the 7 o’clock position an inch or so from the drum (Figure 11.) Slide a piece of paper down the central gap to clean out any stuck bits of oxide.


Figure 11 - The scraper

12. Clean the audio heads, These are located to the rear of the drum, at about the 11 o’clock position (see figure 12.)


Figure 12 - Audio heads

13. In the cap removed from the top of the drum, there is an air filter in a white plastic tube. If this is very dirty (i.e. black) then it needs to be replaced. Twist the white tube clockwise until it can be pulled free. Replace the filter, and reattach the tube by reversing what you did to remove it. (Figure 13)


Figure 13 - Air filter

14. Reattach the cap to the top of the drum, taking care to slot the ribbon cable in correctly (screws as shown in figure 9.)
15. Replace the cassette transport, and re-attach the edge connector. (Reverse of figures 7 & 8.)
16. Replace the lower metal cover plate, and screw it into place (figure 6.)
17. Replace the upper metal cover (figure 5.)
18. Screw the lid back on the machine (figure 4.)
19. Slide the VTR back into its bay.
20. Power the VTR on (figure 3,) and check its output using a test tape. If the VTR doesn't respond to commands, you might have to put it into local mode, by pressing the button shown in Figure 14 so that it isn't illuminated.
21. Switch the VTR back into remote control by pressing the button in figure 14 so that it's illuminated.


Figure 14 - Local/Remote switch

22. Tell the user that the VTR is ready for use.
23. Have a nice cup of tea.