Issue when capturing from VHS source

[jojo1971]

Hello everyone -

Longtime reader, first time posting.

Based on all of the excellent information provided here, I have been successfully capturing video files (in MPEG-2) format onto my PC from a VHS player. Last night, I tried capturing from what looked to be a 'well used' tape (a former rental which has been likely viewed several times) - and unfortunately the playback became garbled / unviewable.

For the sake of reference, I have uploaded screenshots. Previous to this, I have successfully captured many hours of video with really nice quality. I suspect that the particular tape has caused this issue, and subsequent tapes now all appear the same on this particular VHS player. Is my VHS player pooched, or could something like this be rectified using a Maxell VP-100 VHS Head Cleaner tape?

Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated,

Jo

[jagabo]

If you connect the player to a TV what do you see? Try capturing a known Macrovision free tape.

[jojo1971]

I see the identical output when viewed on a TV.

[october262]

Do all tapes do this or is it just this one
Tape ?? When was the last time you took the top off of
Your player and cleaned the tape heads.

[jojo1971]

I have never cleaned the heads, and any subsequent tape plays this same way on this unit. I am relatively new to this type of thing, but definitely appreciate the replies.

[jagabo]

I see the identical output when viewed on a TV.

The deck is dead. I doubt cleaning the heads will make a difference.

[KarMa]

If the VCR was good until playing this one tape, then cleaning it is certainly worth a try. Either with a cleaning tape or by hand. These VHS tapes are so old now that their coatings sometimes stick to the head when played. For the older tape format U-Matic it's even worse, requiring constant cleaning after playing +40 year old tapes.

[jojo1971]

Replies are very much appreciated. I hope my new-in-box Toshiba DVR630-KC lasts awhile - has been very good thus far - been using a short, braided / shielded Altona S-Video to my ATI 600. I think to err on the side of safety, I'll buy a second VHS unit. Just not sure I want to take a risk on an AG-1980, like I did with a 'still new' *cough* Sony SLV-R5UC which ate three of my precious tapes (LOL).

[orsetto]

That image sure looks like a nasty head clog to me: I've had that happen on occasion (in an AG1980, yet- double yikes).

This type of major clog can be difficult to DIY clean without damaging the head itself in the process. The safest method is to load a brand new tape (or the newest you have, pick one you've used once or twice). Let it play all the way thru to the end. Take it out and load a tape you know is good: if that plays OK, you got lucky and all is well. If you still see the clog signal, note if it has abated somewhat- you should be able to view more of the picture and less of the clog after playing a new tape for two hours. If it does look better than it did, play a new tape again for another couple hours (preferably not the same tape you already used as a cleaner). Discard the tapes you used for "cleaning" - the crap on the heads will be spread all over them now.

New tapes have a friction/stiction effect which can slowly pull gunk out of the video heads given enough time. Doesn't always work: if you still have the clog after two runs at it with new blanks, you may want to bring the unit in for professional servicing. Or just buy a decent second-hand VHS or SVHS VCR and set the clogged Toshiba aside. The monetary value in the DVR-630 is due to its being a self-contained VHS to DVD copying machine: the VCR in it is completely nondescript. You could do just as well (or even better) connecting another VCR to the 630 inputs, and the 630 outputs to your PC capture card. Many people here recommend using DVD recorders as "passthru" signal conditioners this way. In a sense, "passthru" delivers some of the signal cleaning benefits offered by cult VCRs like the Panasonic AG1980. I would not recommend a second-hand AG1980 today unless you have a lot of money, a lot of patience, or electronics repair skills. Most 1980s need a complete overhaul before they live up to their legend, and that overhaul isn't cheap or easy to obtain.

[hech54]

I understand that getting to the heads on those big cement block pro machines is difficult, but head cleaning itself is not dangerous or difficult.

[jojo1971]

orsetto - PM sent. Cheers

[orsetto]

I understand that getting to the heads on those big cement block pro machines is difficult, but head cleaning itself is not dangerous or difficult.

Depends who's doing the cleaning. Quite a few well-meaning but unskilled VCR owners have destroyed irreplaceable video heads by scrubbing too hard or in the wrong direction with a chamois swab (or gawd help them) a Q-tip. Running a couple new blank tapes is much safer, a dedicated wet cleaning cassette can be OK, "dry" cleaning tapes are risky, swabs and cleaning fluid VERY risky unless you really know what you're doing (or have great luck). Some brands and models, like '90s-era Mitsubishis with flying erase, have heads seemingly made from spun sugar: one swipe with a chamois swab and they become instant doorstops. Ya never know.