Panasonic AG-1970 picture tearing?

[Drunken Hombre]

I recently acquired an AG-1970. It has slowly started to have this vertical line tearing type of problem. It happens on all tapes. I thought it might be a bad s-video cable or interference but I've tried different cables. Any ideas?

[lordsmurf]

Is the TBC on ?

[orsetto]

What kind of tapes are these? The AG1970 sometimes has odd sensitivity issues with camcorder-sourced tapes or 2nd-generation dubs. As LordSmurf notes, turning the TBC on and off can affect this symptom greatly, although in my experience turning it on usually clears the tearing near white verticals or highlight areas. You can also try reducing the sharpness level and noise reduction slider controls: too much boost can lead to tearing. If this is happening all across the screen, with all tapes, the machine may be out of alignment and need a tuneup, or perhaps even new heads. Given the current used selling prices of the upgraded AG1980, it doesn't usually pay to spend money repairing a 1970- just buy a 1980 to replace it.

But, first check these tapes on someone else's VCR to see if they play better: in rare cases, some freak environmental thing happens to a group of tapes that makes them play like this. Make sure the problem is definitely with your AG1970 (and not the tapes) before considering repair/replacement options. That "tearing" pattern can also be caused by changes in AC power line and hairline fractures in your video cables. Bringing the worst tapes to a completely different location and VCR, like say a friend's house across town, will help you narrow down the causes. If the tapes play OK at your second location, you can begin trying different AC outlets or surge protector strips in your home, and/or swapping video cables. Also consider attaching a "de-grounding" adapter plug between the AG1970 power plug and AC socket: the AG1970 and AG1980 are uncommonly sensitive to ground loops, which can be broken by avoiding your home's ground connection. Three-prong-to-two-prong adapter plugs sell for 99 cents at any hardware store.