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Sony DTC-59ES questions: rewinding and ABS time code

N

nvana

New Member
I just recapped my Sony DTC-59ES. I still like the machine as it looks great and it has had quite little hours upto now.

My questions:

- Is it normal the recorder tries for a few seconds to rewind beyond the beginning of the tape ? Fast forwarding to the end the machine stops instantly, rewinding to the beginning the machine rewinds perfectly, but it tries a few seconds to go beyond the beginning.

- How does the ABS (absolute) time code on a DAT tape work ? Is it pre-recorded on the tape, or should my DAT recorder record it while making a recording ? I noticed some old used Sony Pro tapes I have for hanging around for testing don't have the ABS time recorded onto it. Even when I re-record the tape from the beginning the ABS time stays --:-- on my 59ES...

On normal consumer tapes the ABS time code works fine, even on my 20+ years old recordings I still have on DAT tapes. Most LP recordings still play 100% without dropouts.
 
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There are two things that automatically stop the tape:
- when the reels can not turn, it takes 1 or 2 seconds
- when the deck detects the end or the beginning of the tape, almost instantly

In you case it seems that the deck can not detect the beginning of the tape.

To detect the beginning and the end of the tape it uses 2 photosensors (top end sensors), one on each side of the cassette (part #321 in the service manual). The sensors are activated by a small led between located under the cassette. The beginning (lead in) and the end of the tape are transparent so they let the light goes through and reach the sensor.

So I would suggest that either the tape you are using has no transparent lead in or the photosensor is dead or dirty.

Concerning the ABS time it was not implemented on first generation DAT such as the Sony DTC-1000ES. That could explain why some tapes can not display it but I still don't understand why it doesn't show when you re-record.
 
I guess in my Sony DTC-59ES' case it must be the reels which are not moving which stops the rewind.

After maybe 3 or more seconds pulling the tape the deck stops the rewind action.

This has the disadvantage the tape sometimes doesn't want to unload after the rewind. Power cycling the deck, or pressing play and directly stop after it will unload the tape without issues.

Because the tape being pulled quite firmly the unloading gets harder I presume ?

@hdrobien: Great tip, I will check today if the IR LEDs are working inside the transport. I did have to disassemble the transport
 
Today I found the issue: It proved to be the CN15 connector of the 'Top End Sensor Board' not being installed correctly. Only when rewinding the tape you will notice the issue the deck only stops after a few seconds.

The other issue of unloading the tape proved unrelated, one of the little white plastic locking rings had come loose. Sometimes unloading the tape worked fine, sometimes it got stuck halfway. As advised on this board adding a little drop of super glue on the white plastic lockers proved a working solution.
 
So it was indeed the top end sensors.

The white plastic locking rings are a classic issue of this model.

If it is still here remove the foam roller that is supposed to clean the head drum. Use a vacuum to protect the head drum as it will probably turn to dust when touched.
 
Yes, I removed the foam roller completely with the white plastic arm holding it as to not touch the old foam.
 
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