Panasonic NV-HD620 LP/EP playback problem

[nesburf]

I have a Panasonic NV-HD620AM VCR. Both PAL and NTSC tapes recorded in SP play back perfectly. When I put in a PAL tape recorded in LP or an NTSC tape recorded in EP, the tape will not play back cleanly. The VCR will not lock sync and I get an image that looks like this...see attachment You can kind of see the image through all the hash so I know it is playing back, just not in any viewable form.

I've tried cleaning the heads with Alcohol and microfiber cloth...but that doesn't seem to fix it.

Are the LP/EP heads just shot?

[JVRaines]

Do not clean video heads with fibrous material. If you catch a loop on a head, you can easily break it off.

I assume you have tried the manual tracking control?

[nesburf]

Do not clean video heads with fibrous material. If you catch a loop on a head, you can easily break it off.

I assume you have tried the manual tracking control?

It's definitely not a tracking issue, the sync is so unstable I can't even use the pulse cross on the monitor to check the VBI.

[JVRaines]

Slow VHS modes are notoriously sketchy for interchange. Your deck could be in disrepair, but it could also be that these tapes just won't play on your machine. Try a JVC or a Sharp or a different Panny.

[nesburf]

Well it seems to be any tape recoded in EP/LP mode doesn't want to play, its just 1 or 2 tapes. Also tried recording something on the VCR and playing back and it had the same issue.

Guess I'll have to take it back to where I got it from and hopefully they can fix it.

[nesburf]

Don't know if this makes any difference but the audio plays back crystal clear. This is the Hi-fi track too which I believe uses the same head as the video. I know in the past if I've let a tape just play sometimes it can clear up a head clog, although it doesn't seem to be doing that. if the EP/LP heads were damaged would I be able to hear HI-FI audio?

[JVRaines]

The audio heads are separate, so it's possible your LP-EP heads are damaged or dirty. The best way to clean them is with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol and chamois swabs. Rarely, if alcohol is not strong enough to dissolve a clog, you may need to use acetone, which is fine for metal but must be kept away from plastic and rubber parts.

[nesburf]

I've taken a picture of each head and attached them, some do look like they have some black streak before the head...I've tried cleaning them numerous times with 99% isopropyl alcohol but nothing seems to clear it up.

Do they look damaged?

[JVRaines]

You really need to take the deck to a technician who can inspect it in person. If the problem were dirty heads, you would get no picture at all, not half a picture. Most likely it's a tracking issue.

[vhelp]

nesburf, how about just recording a short segment in EP (or LP) on the NV-HD620AM and see what playback is like. I'm assuming that you are referring to previously recorded tapes from another vcr that you are now trying to play in your current, NV-HD620AM unit.

On the other hand, it could also be the tape grade is junk in the NV-HD620AM. I have found that different brands/model vcrs react to EP/LP recorded tapes differently. For instance, all my JVC HR-S3910U' recorded EP tapes playback w/ noise and random static, and "white" torpedoes, when I play them in an Panasonic AG-5710. Perhaps something similar is happening in your case, though more serious.

[hech54]

I just realized that I have this same exact machine. I had a LONG tape that my Philips/JVC wouldn't play and this one did. I get the feeling mine can pull a truck.

[JVRaines]

Another thought: have you tried cleaning the control/audio head? It's a stationery head off to the side somewhere.

[nesburf]

nesburf, how about just recording a short segment in EP (or LP) on the NV-HD620AM and see what playback is like. I'm assuming that you are referring to previously recorded tapes from another vcr that you are now trying to play in your current, NV-HD620AM unit.

On the other hand, it could also be the tape grade is junk in the NV-HD620AM. I have found that different brands/model vcrs react to EP/LP recorded tapes differently. For instance, all my JVC HR-S3910U' recorded EP tapes playback w/ noise and random static, and "white" torpedoes, when I play them in an Panasonic AG-5710. Perhaps something similar is happening in your case, though more serious.

Tried doing that...now the problem is that I believe this machine only properly records PAL signals. I don't have anything that will output a PAL signal. So when I do record something, such as a camcorder output, its being recorded in some weird form on the tape. When I do a test recording in SP mode, the playback is shaky and black and white, but a full image. If I record in LP mode(no EP record mode on this machine) The playback is similar to what I get when playing back one of my already recorded tapes.

Because I don't have another PAL VCR, I am unable to check the recorded tape on a different VCR.

Definitely not a specific tape issue, as this happens with any tape recorded in LP/EP. I've tested more than enough to determine its not a one off issue.

[nesburf]

Could it be a tape guide alignment issue?

[JVRaines]

Yeah, but do you really want to go messing with the guides and lose your SP playback?

[nesburf]

So I had a technician look at the VCR. He checked all the heads under magnification and came to the conclusion that one of the heads was damaged. He said he could see a damaged coil. So I guess it was of the heads that is needed for LP/EP playback since SP playback is still completely fine. So I probably don't really have any more options, unless someone knows where I may be able to find a replacement head for this VCR!

Guess I will have to search for a new PAL VCR.