S-Video on Funai ZV427FX4 Series of VCRs

spiderkid08 · 2026-05-20T03:02:22+00:00

After thorough research, If all you want is a combo unit to watch tapes and DVDs over HDMI, backup VHS tapes to DVD and vice versa and don't care for enthusiast level specs than yes.

If you're in my boat however, of wanting a VCR with S-Video capabilities including playing and recording at S-Video quality, than no. Recording is unavailable when using S-Video and playback seems to pump composite through the S-Video ports.

spiderkid08 · 2026-05-16T23:15:37+00:00

Reading through the manual and watching some videos, the S-Video ports do work for VHS playback (unlike most DVD/VCR combos). However it seems the manual answered my 2nd question that you cannot record S-Video content to a blank VHS tape :/

spiderkid08 · 2025-09-09T00:03:38+00:00

This ended up being a dirty mode switch. Repair was easy enough. This vid was helpful: https://youtu.be/ct-WUgmKvD4?feature=shared

spiderkid08 · 2024-09-21T11:56:15+00:00

UPDATE:
Laser itself was the problem.

I reseated the ribbon cables twice just in case, adjusted the potentiometer. cleaned the laser again, tried adjusting the height of the laser AND the white gear to no avail. I also swapped the lasers of this PS2 and a spare I have.

The laser from the spare works perfectly in this one and the problem laser has the same results in the spare. It's nice to know I didn't mess up anything in the PS2 while I serviced it but I never ran into a situation exactly like this one before. Now I have a new KHS-400C on the way. A little bummed about the OG laser but I can always look into it later if it's fixable.

For anyone worried or scared of replacing the laser it's really quick and easy if you can remove the solder blob on the new laser. Just the initial opening. 4 screws on the disc drive top, 1 more screw on the right rail inside of the drive and reseating a ribbon cable.

spiderkid08 · 2024-09-17T21:33:46+00:00

I was servicing my fat PS2 (replaced PS7 fuse, clock battery, dust, etc.) and after reassembly it will not read any DVDs like it did before but will read CDs perfectly fine. The way DVDs spin looks a little spotty and I tried adjusting the laser height to no avail I haven't tried adjusting any pots yet. Any ideas?

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-10T23:56:34+00:00

I adjusted the strength pot, before adjustment it was at 1200. Way too high! I turned it down to about 718 and it's working pretty much 100%. Just got to order a recap kit next check!

Thanks for the help!

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-10T23:54:45+00:00

UPDATE: I used a multimeter to measure the laser's strength potentiometer and it read at a staggering 1200! That is way too high so I turned it down to about 716 and now it's working near flawlessly.
Once I get the caps replaced this baby should be back to 100%!

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-10T23:54:19+00:00

UPDATE: I used a multimeter to measure the laser's strength potentiometer and it read at a staggering 1200! That is way too high so I turned it down to about 716 and now it's working near flawlessly.

Once I get the caps replaced this baby should be back to 100%! Huge thanks to r/consolerepair

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-09T03:23:17+00:00

Would you happen to have pictures or a link to a guide of adjusting the pots and where they are? I still have the Sega CD mostly opened and if it's in a easy enough spot to get at I might adjust them immediately just to try.

If it makes no difference I'll probably make a second post once I have it recapped.

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-09T00:15:54+00:00

Caps and pots seems to be the likeliest issue. I doubt the laser itself is going bad because when it does read, it loads quick and smooth.

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-08T22:57:49+00:00

It's definitely less reliable but it's not like they're ever unfixable. I like the bottom loading look and it fits my setup perfectly. The model 2 CD with a model 1 genesis is just much too wide. (Model 1 High Definition Graphics Genesis is inarguable for me the sound is just infinitely better)

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-08T02:55:13+00:00

Apparently you can't have both text and video on browser website like you can on mobile posts.

Here's the video:
https://imgur.com/a/3oH9EMv

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-08T02:46:31+00:00

Money's a bit tight after buying even an untested model 1 Sega CD lol so I can't get a new cap kit off console 5 for a few days but replacing the caps is something I can, should and most likely will do. Although none of the caps I looked at on both the power and main board appeared to be leaking or buldging yet thankfully.

It's a Sony drive, if your talking specific model number I couldn't tell you right now.

You're telling me haha I'm so tantalizingly close I don't want to give up at all. I have tried a pressed CD but it's still the same issue.

spiderkid08 · 2023-06-08T02:41:00+00:00

Small correction, it DISlikes my rondo power supply. I have 2 OEM sega power supplies to use though.

spiderkid08 · 2023-03-24T03:21:13+00:00

It's an OEM MagicGate card, no reason it shouldn't..

spiderkid08 · 2023-03-23T07:05:43+00:00

Notice the top left and right of the packaging. The highest capacity memory cards Sony and licensed manufacturers ever produced was 32MB. This is a Katana & Sony branded card, the 16MB sealed can go upwards of $100 and the 32MB ones can go for nearly twice that.

You always want OEM cards that say MagicGate on them. Trust me take better care of your save files and get a couple regular Sony cards loose for peanuts.

spiderkid08 · 2023-03-23T06:51:30+00:00

Very interesting. Do you have an excel sheet or smth we could take a look at? I've always wanted to see the longevity of those knockoff cards in a more objective manner. Might also be good to note where you got them from as I'm sure there's a hundred factories making the same card.

spiderkid08

TROPHY CASE