Having trouble playing old vhs-c tapes

[Columbusbill]

Hello,

I am trying to convert my old vhs-c tapes to a digital format.

I am having trouble rewinding and fast forwarding these tapes. They will play back, but I am never sure if I have really reached the end or started at the beginning. I will be rewinding the tape and it will stop as if it is at the beginning. But if I select rewind again it will rewind some more. The same with fast forwarding.

I have tried playing these tapes in two different VCR's. The second one is a brand new Zenith DVD/VCR combo, model # XBV713.

The vhs-c adapter I have is the one that came with the camera. (I should mention the camera is broken). Would it be wise to try a new vhs-c adapter? Could that be the problem? Or is there something wrong with the tapes?

Thanks, Bill

[powerpc123]

Are you using a motorized adapter? Perhaps fresh batteries help? Does the tape appear to have reached the end/beginning when you look inside the clear window on the vhs-c cassette?
You can help avoid many potentially problematic issues by cleaning or having your VCR cleaned prior to undertaking your project.

[harley2ride]

Many VCR's stop when they get to zero on the footage meter, regardless of where the end of the tape actually is. I would just get used to checking, or use a seperate VCR rewinder..

[Columbusbill]

I installed a new battery in the adapter.

Rob I think your info about the vcr stopping when the counter reaches zero may have been part of the problem.

I will know for sure in a few days when I have more time.

Thanks to both of you. I am new to video editing and this forum. The forum is a great resource.

Bill

[Captain Satellite]

My adapter never even worked right when it was new. I played back all of my tapes in the camcorder when it was time to transfer to digital.

Do you still have the camcorder?

[Columbusbill]

No, my VHS-C camcorder failed a few years back. The tapes have been sitting in a drawer for years and I finally decided I need to convert them.

It would be great if the camera still worked. If it did I wouldn't have gone out yesterday and purchased a DVD/VCR combo unit.

Thanks for the reply, Bill