Repaired Philips CD-i 220 console!

Thought you might be interested, did a repair job on someone's CD-i 220 console:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neSGDB5oh0Q

 

Nice video, that model with the flap over the drive-bay looks just like an old Philips S-VHS VCR I have lying around somewhere (photo here). I guess they were probably released around the same time in the early 90's.

I think in the long-run it might be worth sourcing a proper drive belt of the correct diameter. A normal rubber band will probably turn to gloop in a few years. If in doubt there's usually sellers on eBay that sell an assortment of belts for cassette decks, for under £10.

You could always try boiling the old drive belt in a kettle for a few minutes - sometimes brings 'em back to life!

 

Idea about boiling the belt is interesting; nothing to lose! I'll let the guy know that tip!

Yeah, the rubber band I used was already a few years old, will probably fail in due course, however it's quite easy to replace it, and no removal of parts needed; just a steady hand.

 

Seems the belts on optical droves are starting to fail on devices of similar age, know of a CD changer from 92 with the same problem but it seems to need a specific account of tension to detect when a CD is ready to be read. Also have a reel to reel player in need of a belt for playback, without it the tape gets stretched every few seconds.

 

Excellent video, thanks for making it.

My 220 tray sticks when the close bottom is pressed (right at the last moment) so hopefully a new rubber belt or the kettle trick should fix

 

Hopefully; and best part, is it's easy to do yourself, for free; and apart from removing the outer console cover to get into the system, you don't need to remove anything else.