Very strange problem with VHS

[VicTeam]

Hi everyone! I have a very strange problem with my VCRs.

I have two VCRs: a JVC HR-J770MS and a Samsung SV-DVD3E. I'm getting constant blue/colored horizontal lines/noise on the screen.

I've tested this on three different TVs (two CRTs and one LCD), and the problem appears on both.

I've already tried:

- Two different SCART cables and one composite cable
- Several different VHS tapes
- Cleaning the heads

I'm completely lost and I really don't know what to do anymore, so if anyone has any ideas I would be very grateful even if it doesn't work

[dellsam34]

That's just how SECAM is man, Unless the recording is pristine that's what you get for low quality recordings. What is the origin of these recordings?

[VicTeam]

Hi !

Thanks so much for your reply!

Is SECAM really like that by default?
Isn't there a way to get better quality?

I have the ALIEN and LOTR extended edition collector's box sets, and a few other VHS tapes.

[themaster1]

A secam tape generally is noisier in the chroma than Pal, but that constant blue don't look normal to me (can be a bad capacitor). I've seen plenty of vcr's under perform for secam tapes.
First thing try to force "secam out" in the menu instead of the AUTO setting, sometimes that can help. Best brands i've tried for secam tapes are Toshiba's (pro drum series) and Thomson's (vth series)

[lollo]

Is SECAM really like that by default?

No.

Isn't there a way to get better quality?

A better VCR in nice working conditions (and tapes in good shape).

[VicTeam]

Thanks again for your replies!

I use two VCRs, a JVC HR-J770MS and a Samsung SV-DVD3E.
Aren't they really suitable for playing SECAM tapes?

I tried forcing SECAM on the Samsung, and I think it helped a little, but the quality is still not very good.

What's strange is that both VCRs give me the exact same problem with all my VHS tapes.

Perhaps the cables I'm using aren't good enough? I've tried three different SCART cables, one that was used with a DVD player, and also composite cables (white, red, and yellow), but it doesn't make any difference.

[lollo]

Where do you watch the tape, TV or after capture?

edit: sorry, you already explained that. At least on a french CRT you should have a proper image if the VCRs and tapes and cables are ok.

[VicTeam]

That's precisely what I find strange. The VCRs are fine, the TVs are fine, and I think the VHS players are fine too.

The only thing I might be unsure about is the cables. I'm wondering if I absolutely need an RGB cable? I don't know if my cables are actually RGB or not.

I don't know if it will make a huge difference because I read that a poor-quality cable can make the colors blurry, but I don't think it's that bad. Is it?

I feel like I'm the only one with this problem because I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else online.

[lollo]

There is not an RGB cable suitable for your VCRs (BTW the signal on tapes is Y/C, forwarded as composite in low/medium-end VCRs).

The SCART connector on them can output a composite signal only (the same that is present on the RCA connector).

Yes, you can try a better quality cable.

[VicTeam]

Okay, thank you so much for your help!

I'm going to buy a better quality SCART cable and see if that makes a difference.

[themaster1]

There is not an RGB cable suitable for your VCRs (BTW the signal on tapes is Y/C, forwarded as composite in low/medium-end VCRs).

More precisely, radio frequencies AM / FM

[dellsam34]

If the tapes are pre-recorded (commercially sold) then there is something wrong somewhere, Poor cables could degrade the quality but I'm not sure by that much. Try old stock brand name cables, those have decent shielding and impedance on them.

[VicTeam]

Thank you all for your invaluable help!

I'm crossing my fingers that it's just a cable issue, otherwise I'm out of ideas...

I'll keep you posted as soon as the cable arrives.

Thanks again.

[VicTeam]

That didn't change anything :'(
Even a thick badass cable didn't make a difference.

I think I must be cursed by VCR lol.

[lollo]

Maybe your VCRs are both in bad shape. Try to see around you if somebody has a nice VCR in good conditions to play and check your (and other) tapes.

[CaptureCraft]

Hi !

Thanks so much for your reply!

Is SECAM really like that by default?
Isn't there a way to get better quality?

I have the ALIEN and LOTR extended edition collector's box sets, and a few other VHS tapes.

Are your tapes marked as SECAM? Could you make a picture of that marking?

[VicTeam]

Hi!

I don't know if changing VCRs will make a difference. I originally had this problem with the JVC when I got it, then I bought the Samsung thinking it would solve the problem, but it didn't.

Maybe I was just really unlucky and both VCRs have the exact same rare problem. Perhaps I should try a European brand VCR, maybe a Thomson?

I have pictures of the VHS tapes I use. I didn't see the SECAM label on the Alien, but it is on the LOTR tape.

[Sharc]

Have you ever tried another TV? (I understand the TV has always been the same for your tests.)
If your TV is multi-standard force it to SECAM.

Edit: forget. I just noticed you tried with several TVs.

[VicTeam]

I tried three TVs in total, two CRT TVs and one LCD. The result was the same on all three

[CaptureCraft]

What TVs did you use? Models? Are they multi-system? If yes, do they have switch in menu?

[VicTeam]

For CRT TVs, I have a Sony KV-14m1b and a Toshiba 2857 DF, and for LCD TVs, I have a Sony Bravia (I don't remember the model number, but it's a rather old model with a SCART connector).

I tried looking through the menus, but I didn't find anything specific to change the picture (apart from contrast, brightness, color... but that doesn't change the VHS quality).

[CaptureCraft]

Any chance you have other sources of SECAM signal, like DVD recorder/player or camcorder?

[VicTeam]

Unfortunately not. The DVDs I have are in PAL format and work perfectly with the DVD player on my Samsung SV-DVD3E.

The only things I have in SECAM are my VHS tapes

[CaptureCraft]

OK. Most likely your tapes lost they magnetic levels beyond a certain threshold. SECAM used frequency modulation for colour and that method is highly sensitive to signal degradation/loss. The ultimate test would be to find/create freshly recorded tape and play it back on your TVs.
For example, find a disposable tape and record even a noise using your JVC HR-J770MS, make sure to force to record it in SECAM.
Then play it back. You should see B/W noise without and blue and red stripes.
Much less likely the problem is with the heads in your VCRs being clogged (not the drums). However, to "achieve" that clogging both VCRs must be heavily used and never cleaned up.

[VicTeam]

Oh, I hope it's not my VHS tapes that are the problem

They were stored in a dry place, away from light, and at room temperature.

The idea of ​​trying to record a VHS tape in SECAM is interesting. If I can get hold of a blank/disposable tape, I'll try that.

I might ask my local technician for his opinion; he knows how to repair CRTs, so maybe he'll have an idea of ​​the problem.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your help! I'll keep you posted if there's any progress

[CaptureCraft]

Sorry, it looks like I wasn't clear in my last response.
Unfortunate, I was talking about your tapes partially lost their magnetism due to the age.
That's why the test with a newly recorder tape would reveal if your hardware is intact. If the new tape will be played back OK, then it would mean your commercial tapes are no longer playable.