Cleaning a VHS cassette

[zsnvdkdsznvkjsvd]

Is this normal? For a VHS cassette to skip? While watching a video cassette the cassette skipped a whole scene and went to another part. How to fix this? Cleaning? How?

[Marvingj]

Sounds like your VCR heads needs cleaning, Just use alcohol and q-tips very lightly.

[zsnvdkdsznvkjsvd]

On what part of the cassette? Also it's the same part of the cassette that skips

[redwudz]

VHS tape is not random access media like a DVD or CD. If it's skipping, there may be damage to the tape or the player. If you push the little button on the side as you are holding the cassette, you should be able to open the tape cover and take a look at the tape. Don't get any fingerprints on the tape surface. Look for frayed edges or a lot of oxide dust from the tape, especially the section where you have playback problems.

The tape may also be binding in the cassette. That's a little harder to check, but your VCR would be working harder and may make some noise when playing. It might be a good idea to FF the tape to the end and rewind it in case it's been wound a little tight and stored that way.

If the tape is particularly valuable, you may be able to change out the tape into a different cassette case. But try that first on a throwaway tape. There are lots of little parts that can fly out when you take it apart.

For the VCR, hold the cover open and take a look in there with a small flashlight. Check the video head drum surface for chunks of oxide or dirt sticking to it. If you can see the rollers, check if they are shiny from buildup and see if there is a lot of dust or oxide deposits it there.

You can try a wet cleaner cassette, but if it's a good brand VCR and just dirty, you might want to have it more thoroughly cleaned and inspected by a pro.

And welcome to our forums.

[zsnvdkdsznvkjsvd]

The VCR is a VCR built into the TV. The cassette is part of an 8 cassette collection. It skips at the same part. If that part needs to be cleaned how would that work? Also what did you mean open the top of the tape? How do you close it?

[redwudz]

You don't really clean VHS tapes, if that's what you mean. For your type of VCR, a wet type VHS cleaning cassette might be the easiest thing to try.

To inspect a VHS tape, hold it with the front of the tape facing you. On the left side near the front, there is a small button. Press that and at the same time, flip up the tape cover with your thumb. If you release it, it will return to the closed position. You are looking at the back, shiny side of the tape. I look for wavy edges on the tape or for a lot of tape dust or dirt in there. That means the tape may have problems.

[zsnvdkdsznvkjsvd]

Just watched the part again. The "skip" almost looks like when you record something over a tape that already has been recorded over. That type of transition. The tape doesn't look all messed up or anything But the thing is it's the same thing not something else. Just a different part of that tape. Looked at the tape and it looked fine