Tried to record on a tape, comes out monochrome.

[The RaNdOm Man]

So I got a VCR recently and I tried to record something from my HDMI to AV converter onto a blank tape. The problem? When I play the tape back, it’s in monochrome.

Keep in mind, the converter WAS in color and it still played the other tapes that I had (and haven’t recorded anything on) just fine.

I tried using different tapes, different cords, I tried messing with the settings on both my laptop and the converter respectively, but it remained monochrome.

Anyone else ever have this issue and does anyone know how to fix this?

[dellsam34]

The HDMI to AV cannot playback tapes, You need a AV to HDMI for playback, we need to know how are you hooking up you VCR and what format are you recording in?

[The RaNdOm Man]

The HDMI to AV cannot playback tapes, You need a AV to HDMI for playback, we need to know how are you hooking up you VCR and what format are you recording in?

Laptop -> HDMI to AV -> VCR’s composite input.

Btw, I’m trying to put stuff on a tape, not capture one.

[Alwyn]

Connect your laptop (using the HDMI>AV converter) up to the TV's AV In. That will confirm the output of your HDMI>AV converter.

It is a remote possibility that the laptop's putting out monochrome: you can test that by plugging the HDMI straight into the TV.

[The RaNdOm Man]

Connect your laptop (using the HDMI>AV converter) up to the TV's AV In. That will confirm the output of your HDMI>AV converter.

It is a remote possibility that the laptop's putting out monochrome: you can test that by plugging the HDMI straight into the TV.

It played in color not only when it was hooked up to the VCR but also directly in the TV. The HDMI also works just fine.

[Alwyn]

It played in color not only when it was hooked up to the VCR

I don't understand. How do you know? Are you monitoring the Video Out of the VCR on a monitor?

If you're getting colour from the Video Out of the VCR, then the recording system must be defective.

[The RaNdOm Man]

Are you monitoring the Video Out of the VCR on a monitor?

Yes, I am.

Here’s a video just so you know exactly what’s going on.

20250906_2025_09_06_16_07_01.mp4

[don’t ask why I made it adult swim themed I’m bored]

[dellsam34]

It has something to do with those chinese junk A/V boxes, they usually work in non standard formats, this is why they are not recommended for capturing or even recording to VCRs.
Here is what I had to do to get a decent test rig for testing VCRs.

[Alwyn]

Good video. As you say, you're getting colour out of the converter OK. I still think it's a problem with the recording function of the VCR.

To definitely discount a buggy converter, try recording a tape using a DVD player Video Out as input to the VCR.

Just a WAG, if the VCR has it, try changing the colour system from NTSC to PAL or vice versa.