JVC HR-S3600U: problem or feature?

[hardimen]

I have recently started a new hobby converting my old vhs movies to dvd. I bought quite a few equipment (ATI All in Wonder 9800 capture card, Vidicraft Detailer IV, TBC-1000, JVC CX-C7 color corrector and lastly, a used JVC HR-S3600U S-VHS recorder. This vcr works 98% of the time but on rare occasions, it would turn itself off automatically after I insert a VHS or S-VHS tape for playback. From what I can tell, it seems to be reading the tape for a few seconds and then it turns itself off. Most times, it will play the tape without any problems. When I do get this problem however, I just unplug the unit off for a few seconds and try it again. Sometimes, it would take several times to make it work. Obviously, this is a problem but I still can't help to think that it might be some kind of a feature? BTW, I called JVC customer support and the support person was unable to help. Thanks.

[victoriabears]

Try winding the tape to the end ,fast forward, and back to the begiining again, it could be the tape is too tight on the spool and the VCR is safety shutting down.
Try a brand new tape.

[hardimen]

That's a good explanation... and you are probably right. I will try to do that next time I encounter the problem again. This forum is cool... lots of nice and helpful people. Thanks!

[lordsmurf]

Try winding the tape to the end ,fast forward, and back to the begiining again, it could be the tape is too tight on the spool and the VCR is safety shutting down.
Try a brand new tape.

This is very, very, very, very, very likely.