JVC SR-S388E S-VHS playback jittery + B&W, diagnosis?

[kbbbb]

I have an SR-S388E. It has up until recently played colour tapes mostly in colour with some bits coming out as B&W with sound (and the vast majority perfectly with colour and sound), presumably because the original Sony VHS recorded it badly (although the Sony and another JVC SVHS that doesn't have TBC playback those tapes fine). However, it has recently started playing back most of the tape black and white, with sound.

My tapes are old. Their storage conditions are less than ideal. They may have degridated a bit, but other VCRs play back the tapes fine. I just tested a tape that has been playing back 80% B&W and it looked pristine on another VCR.

Also, in December I turned the SR-S388E on for the first time in nine months and tried to eject the tape in it. The VCR had lost power through several blackouts and the tape got stuck behind something. I unscrewed the lid and carefully removed the tape from where it was caught.

The SR-S388E was imported from Germany to Australia through the post. Is it likely that the internals are out of alignment and the unit needs a service? Or is it likely to just be a dirty head? The picture is just black and white and slightly jittery, but shows no other signs of a dirty head.

I would be very grateful for any person from Melbourne, Australia who could recommend a reputable JVC S-VHS servicing company, otherwise I'll use the ones on the JVC Australia website.

[lordsmurf]

The VCR had lost power through several blackouts .

It probably blew out some circuits.
Never use a VCR directly into wall power. Use a UPS, and plug into that.

The VCR may be fried.

[themaster1]

There is an option in the on screen menu to display tapes in black and white only (for pal vcr at least) maybe you have enabled it by mistake

Otherwise, maybe (if s-video) the pins are desoldered , this can happen if it's an old machine

[kbbbb]

The VCR had lost power through several blackouts .

It probably blew out some circuits.
Never use a VCR directly into wall power. Use a UPS, and plug into that.

The VCR may be fried.

It was never in use when the power went out, but because of the power going out and a tape being left in there for a long period of time, a tape got stuck in there...but you might be right.

There is an option in the on screen menu to display tapes in black and white only (for pal vcr at least) maybe you have enabled it by mistake

Otherwise, maybe (if s-video) the pins are desoldered , this can happen if it's an old machine

It definately hasn't been set to B&W. It loses colour as it plays, so it can output colour, it just is struggling.
But yes, the main circuitry could well be shot, like LordSmurf said.

I have put it in for service with a company recommended by JVC, the guy seemed knowledgeable but didn't make any comment about what he thought the problem would be.

If it is the circuitboard, it could well be worth buying another one...