VCR Distortion Problem

[robjv1]

I'm a new person to the forum here, but I've been following this thread for awhile, and I thought I would direct this to the VCR experts in here. I am considering buying a prosumer JVC VCR soon, but in the meantime, I would like to remedy this problem I'm having with what I'm using currently to transfer my VHS tapes to DVD via my DVD Recorder.

I am using a Go-Video 6060 Dual Deck VCR (a plastic mammoth, with the two decks stacked upon each other, making me wonder if my attempts at cleaning the bottom (and problem) deck are going to be fruitless, but I haven't removed the cover yet or looked at a service manual) - it has worked just fine, until recently and most likely after playing a suspect tape (spliced, dirty, or maybe both) and now a single horizontal line is present at a fixed location in every tape I play.

After playing the tape in the bottom deck, I tried playing it in the top deck and another VCR to ensure that it was not something in the tape path damaging the tape - and the tape has NO problems in other VCR's and only appears to be present when played in the bottom deck. Does this mean that my VCR heads are basically damaged most likely?

Here is an example of the problem:



I already tried using a dry, "non-abrasive" VHS cleaner tape, although I have not tried one that uses cleaning fluid.

Ideas?

[Marvingj]

Tape that was recorded on another machine that was improperly aligned (assuming the machine you have is properly aligned).

[robjv1]

Well the machine that produced that error is not likely aligned right then -- the tape plays just fine on all other machines, and only plays incorrectly on this one (it's actually a commercial tape). ALL tapes show the horizontal line on this deck, not just this one tape.

Is it still an alignment issue? Anyone know any good guides for this, or what the problem might be otherwise?

Tape that was recorded on another machine that was improperly aligned (assuming the machine you have is properly aligned).

[lordsmurf]

Dirty or damaged VCR.

[robjv1]

Yeah, I guess that is what it would be. Any other "easy" suggestions to try - do you think using a wet cleaner tape might work better? I just don't think I could tear inside the thing like I could a regular VCR since it's actually two decks stacked together, with the bottom one causing problems, but I will think about it haha.

Robbie

[edDV]

A VCR shop would mount an "industry standard" tape and adjust the guides until the standard tape plays properly.

An experienced repairman has all the correct hammers, tension springs and replacement parts to optimize the machine to play in spec.

That is great for commercial tapes but many home recorded tapes were recorded on out of spec recorders. In theory, one must misadjust the tape path to match the machine that recorded the tape.

To be a master VHS tape restore expert, at some point, you need to learn the mechanical art of tape transport alignment.

[Megahurts]

robjv1

Try the tracking control. If the lines do not move then it's not an alignment problem.

I suspect a spec of dirt on the lower cylinder (not the part that rotates) which comes in contact with the tape. Since the lines are near the top of the pix then the dirt would be on the left side near the start of the tape.

Hope this helps,

Chas

[robjv1]

Good idea Chas. The line does not move when I manually address the tracking, and is present, in that one spot, for each and every tape that goes in the machine.

Now I just have to figure out how to get inside this beast and clean it manually! Should I give a "wet" cleaning tape a try before I attempt to open it up? I don't want to over-use the dry cleaning tape and risk damaging the heads.

The problem with this is going to be, sincee this is Go Video stacked deck design, and it's the bottom deck that has the problem I will somehow have to get past the first deck, but I'll look for tips on the 'net.

Thanks again!
Robbie

[Megahurts]

robjv1

I've worked on VCR's for many years and have seen many heads distroyed by head cleaning tapes. It's obvious when playing back a tape and there are black streaks on the higher defintion parts of the pix. Most customers will admit to using these tapes. I don't know which one they used and how often.

If you can't get to the lower deck then I would use the wet tape cleaner sparingly.

Chas

[robjv1]

Well I got down in there and cleaned it pretty well... but the line is still there. I think I might have messed up something else now too, cause now the VCR tries to eject in the bottom tray when I put the VCR on (the tray moves towards the front of the door, now allowing me to open it to put a tape in).

Oh well, I'll try to fix it tomorrow. I'm giving up on the cleaning part I think, I don't know if it's really dirty afterall... maybe the head is damaged? I don't know, it was very hard to clean the bottom head, because I couldn't really seperate the top deck completely, as the two decks are connected by some wires, that came off on one side, but are more permanently attached on the other side - which could perhaps explain what seems to be some electrical trouble with the bottom deck with the ejecting heh... I'm not sure.

I'll tinker with it a little more and buy a JVC I think. I wish I'd just sold the dual-deck one, I see people on Ebay paying as much as $120.00 for it -- since it can copy macrovision protected tapes. $120 towards a $400 vcr would be nice