VCR problem

[ShaneJensen]

I'm having this really annoying problem with my Panasonic AG-1980 VCR. I've had it only a few years, has always worked great, but haven't used it that much. I haven't used it at all in the last year or so. Now the picture is completely messed up and distorted whenever I play back VHS tapes. Any VHS tape, even home videos. I ran the tape head cleaner through several times before it cleared up. Then less than an hour later the picture was messed up again until I ran the tape head cleaner through once again, and so on and so on. Now it's at the point that the tape head cleaner isn't doing ANYTHING. WHAT IS GOING ON? I've never had this problem before. Is there anything else I can do other than taking this to a repair shop or getting a new one? I really don't want to have to spend 100s of dollars again on something I already spent 100s of dollars on that I barely even used in the first place. Please, any ideas that could help. I really hope this isn't permanent damage.

[ShaneJensen]

Any ideas out there?

[Supreme2k]

Get the heads demagnetized?


Also, manual cleaning with cotton swabs and iso-alcohol is better than a cleaning tape.

[CobraPilot]

I had a similar problem, which seemed to be caused by tape drag; i.e., there was a build-up of tape residue on several places where the tape touched the surface and on some of the rubber rollers. Some of the places still had such residue even after running a tape head cleaner (which some say should be avoided due to their erratic quality). Making sure all that was removed helped in my situation.

[ShaneJensen]

Get the heads demagnetized?


Also, manual cleaning with cotton swabs and iso-alcohol is better than a cleaning tape.

Thank you very much. That's probably what I'll have to do. What exactly is iso-alcohol? Is that similar stuff that comes with the tape head cleaner? I do have rubbing alcohol, but I guess that stuff is too abrasive for tape heads. Am I correct?

I had a similar problem, which seemed to be caused by tape drag; i.e., there was a build-up of tape residue on several places where the tape touched the surface and on some of the rubber rollers. Some of the places still had such residue even after running a tape head cleaner (which some say should be avoided due to their erratic quality). Making sure all that was removed helped in my situation.

Thank you for that tip. I'll take the cover off my VCR and examine each of the rollers to make sure there is no residue.

[CobraPilot]

"iso-alcohol" = isopropyl alcohol

As to residue, I found it on several of the vertical metal posts, as well, so don't overlook ANYTHING that looks brownish (i.e., metal oxide that has flaked off the tapes).

Good luck and tell us how you solved the problem.

[BrainStorm69]

Before you go about getting into your VCR to clean the heads, I suggest you read this: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/vcrfaq.htm#vcrhntcyvh

And don't use cotton swab to clean your heads - too much danger of cotton threads getting stuck or accidental damage your heads. Use a lint free chamois swab like this - http://www.frys.com/product/77498?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[dadrab]

And please don't scrub on the things like you're trying to remove mud from a tire. Head cleaning requires a gentle touch and a bit of patience.