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Since tape based recording in broadcast and professional video production has stopped and technology has evolved rapidly, manufacturers have had to quickly adapt. As a result of these significant changes the support for machines in terms of service information and parts has pretty much disappeared. Five year spares support policies were common when machines were new but no new tape based VTRs have been made since 2016 with Funai's statement.

Sony ceased support for it's last range of HDCAM decks in 2023 yet there are many, many formats earlier than this that we work with regularly and need to support into the future. While eBay and UK government policies like WEEE have helped with the sale and recycling of interesting legacy audio and video equipment there is still a worrying lack of machines and spares at the moment. This situation will get worse over time and while some more common or popular machines will still be available their costs will rise. We've witnessed this already with the recent increase in value of audio tape machines particularly 1/4" open reel models like Studer A80's and A810's which in the early 2000's were very cheap and commonly available for several hundred pounds sterling. A recent search of sold items on eBay highlights A80 RC decks selling for around £5000 GBP.

This type of price increase isn't uncommon in many areas over time as high quality, yet popular items become desirable due to rarity, nostalgia and recognition of their value. This value increase can also mean that their longevity is enhanced as 'lost knowledge' held by former engineers is of value and parts remade and repair services offered as it becomes a viable and profitable endeavour. This can be seen in the services offered for vintage synthesizers and Revox / Studer / Nakamichi tape machines all of which have seen a resurgence in interest and large increase in used purchase price.

Unfortunately for the older and less common video and audio tape formats rarity hasn't increased their value nor the access to spare parts or service information. With this in mind we were very grateful to be gifted a large collection of new and used Sony spares that range from the early 1980's through to the 90's for a range of Sony VTR's, Time Base Correctors (TBCs) and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.

From a retired BBC broadcast engineer we have a spares for BVH 1", BVW and DVW video tape recorder. Some of these are new and unused so are lightly used but changed at Sony's recommended intervals. These can be quite conservative with some parts having more live left in them. We have also have parts for BVT TBC units, extender boards for VTR's CRT displays and some cameras.

Below are some of the component level spares Sony offered for the BVH 2000 series 1" video and BVT units. These spares collections housed all components necessary to service, repair and keep these machines running for many years.