Error 5 can mean allot of things......
Error 5 on a Adat machine means rotary head is too slow or too fast, it does not mean head alignment is off. Rather It is problem with the Rotary head speed.......
So error 5 can mean various things and what could be causing the problem is the following suggestions, but first you should try the obvious by Initializing or resetting the Adat machine's software by holding two buttons record and play while turning the power on, then you can check the following:
#1 Check to see if any sync cables or Optical cables are plugged in the back incorrectly, especially on multiple Adat machines, this can cause erratic behaviour and alll kinds of errors.
#2 Check the Digital in button to see if it is set to slave or master mode.
If the Adat machine is a slave then Digital in button should be turned to "Dig" on the display, meaning external clock sync. You choose the settings by hitting the set locate and digital in buttons together, it will toggle between the two modes.
Naturally if it is a master Adat machine then digital in should read "Int" for internal clock. If an Adat machine is set wrong then speeding up and slowing down of the rotary head and transport can lead to error 5 and other weird problems.
#3 Check to see if the rotary head is spinning, if not then an internal cable could be loose. Check all cable connections by unplugging them and plugging them in again. I had an Adat machine with an error 5 and it turned out to be a loose rotary head motor wire connector.
And or if it has not been run in a long time, sitting in storage for years as an example, the rotating head bearings will need to be lubed with a few drops of fine machine oil, Marvel Mystery Oil is good for this. Not too much oil though, you don't want the oil to spin off and end up on your tapes !!! Old Adat machines are more prone to dry out, leaving no oil on the rotary bearings and other transport parts, especially if not being used for a long time, that is why you should excersize yourself, kids, wife, your cat, your dog, and your Adat machine on a regular basis......
It may take awhile to loosen up the rotary bearings, so let the oil saturate for awhile as you turn it, this should do the trick if the rotary head bearings still feel sticky to you and or they're still noisy, should feel smooth when you turn the rotary head, then play the SVHS tape for five minutes and longer if necessary to get it spinning like new again. Error 5 should be gone forever.......
I would suggest a total head cleaning right after oiling, and then properly clean the tape rollers/transport and oil all the electric motor bearings as well, along with rubber renew product on all rubber parts like belts/pinch rubber and rubber idler roller. One drop of oil on the rewind and fast forward axle spindles as well, not too much oil, a little goes a long' long way'.
Check these items first before you take the machine and throw it out the window or into the trash can, and or spend a thousand dollars and bring it into a tech ???....
