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  1. Question regading a hard to replace vhs question, 1/2 tape is fine and 1/2 way thru gets lines like tracking issues was wondering if anyone else experienced this. Its a train ride and its clear and then gets lines across screen, its not a edit or anything just a glitch on a contentious recording. Thanks Tom
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  2. Member
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    Mar 2008
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    Fast forward and rewind from one end to the other a couple of times then navigate
    to the problem area. If you open the flap you may see obvious damage to the tape,
    or it may be subtle edge damage.
    The edge contains the timing marks and any damage here will cause what you are seeing
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  3. Thanks, what are the odds it'll clear? tom
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  4. Member
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    If the noise is always in the same place, then the tape is damaged. If it moves around, then you've either got dirty video heads or your player is progressively damaging the tape.
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  5. If you can find a player you can borrow for a few minutes, you can play the beginning on that, and then FF to the problems spot and play that. That will certainly tell you whether the tape is the problem.
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  6. Member
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    Originally Posted by tomthetank View Post
    Thanks, what are the odds it'll clear? tom
    If the tape is physically damaged, virtually zero. You may find a machine that tensions the tape better and can work though the wrinkles, but it's unlikely.
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  7. Dinosaur Supervisor KarMa's Avatar
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    I've damaged a tape by having lint on one of the guide posts. That put a horizontal line in the middle of the image throughout the entire tape. Looking at the physical tape you could see a thin line of damage in the center of the width of the tape, and went for the entire length of the tape. Best to clean out your VCR before taking it out of storage and playing it for the first time, now I know.
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  8. Member
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    Cleaning means taking cotton swabs/buds and isopropyl alcohol to everything in the tape path except the video heads. (I prefer Windex for the pinch roller.) You may need to use a toothpick on the rabbet, which is the ledge around the video drum upon which the tape rides. Then blow it out to banish straggling cotton fibers. Final step is to clean the video heads, which is properly done with a delicate touch and chamois swabs.
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  9. Video Restorer lordsmurf's Avatar
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    What VCR?
    It may not even be worth repairing or maintenance.
    Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
    FAQs: Best Blank DiscsBest TBCsBest VCRs for captureRestore VHS
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