Tiny white lines on screen during AG-1980 playback

[Bix]

Just a handful, sometimes moving around. Not tape specific, not on every playback. Do I need to clean the heads or what?

Thanks!

[themaster1]

yeah clean the heads manually it always help & play a good grade s-vhs blank tape & fast forward it while playing

[filmboss80]

Sounds like dropout to me. Tape's getting old; oxide is flaking off. Better make digital backups quick! (But that's probably what you're trying to do.)

If I recall correctly, the AG-1980 has dropout compensation circuitry which will replace some white lines with video from the nearest good line of resolution, but can only handle a limited amount of dropout lines. This may be why it appears not to be tape specific.