Issues recording to VHS tape

[vstoyanov]

Hi,

I have a VCR SABA which has the capability to record. I have connected and input to the SCART and connected the video to a tv via the coaxial antenna. The signal is very clear. I have made a recording to a VHS tape and the output is not what I expected. The audio is ok, but the video is distorted / shaky when I playback the tape. What I noticed is that it is most distorted when writing/subtitles are present. Otherwise when playing tapes with already recorded movies, all is good.

Would appreciate your help on this

Thank you in advance.

[DB83]

Explain 'distorted'

Now it is a VERY long time since I connected a VCR to display on a tv via coax. And of memory serves one had to tune the tv to the channel that the VCR was outputing over.

[dellsam34]

I agree, a sample is needed, I can only guess that the OP is getting black streaks on white letters, This is usually an indication of RF level clipping, if it is the case, to troubleshoot that we at least need to know what source you are recording from? what devices are used in the process? what format are you recording at to this PAL VCR based on the SCART mention? etc. Your first post is basically saying like my car doesn't start, what do you guys think is wrong with it?

[vstoyanov]

Thanks for your replies. I am recording from a Sega Mega Drive 1 via SCART. VCR and Console are PAL.The console itself has a 8pin to SCART cable.I tried to hook up a different signal which is RCA to SCART and it has the same outcome.

Regarding the RF, I tried to playback the Cassette via SCART, and again it was the same. I would think it is something to do with how the VCR is recording the signal, as previously mentioned the signal input is very clear.

I will post a sample as soon as I can.

[vstoyanov]

Here is a video
https://youtube.com/shorts/gh3tFNXMzaE?si=NgX9Ayo_qxv2T54f

[DB83]

I do not know what that distortion is although I suspect a timing issue between one or more of the capture chains.

But I must ask why are you even going down this path ? If you want to record from the console get a PC capture device or if you do have one initially capture from the VCR to PC and forget about the tv.

[vstoyanov]

What I actually want is to record some movies / Games to VHS tapes. I see your point but I do not wan to record to PC. Thanks

[DB83]

And do check the tape to be sure that it does not have 'teeth' on the edge. If it does then someone with knowledge could assist since I guess that there are not many VCR service outlets these days with an evidently faulty VCR.

[vstoyanov]

Tape seems fine. I even tried with another one. Seems the issue lies in the VCR. In my country there are some small service outlets but want to find if I can fix it myself, if not I will take it to the service.

[dellsam34]

I do not believe it's the VCR's fault, It is the game console itself or the SCART cable, Try another legal PAL source video like a DVD recorder or a camcorder, game consoles do not always produce a legal PAL video signal.

[vstoyanov]

Hi. Seems I have improved the recording quality to almost perfect. I found a cassette wich seems newer and a different make. I noticed that the previous 2 cassettes I used were rewinding very slow so I imagine this was one of the issues. I tried recording the same console but apparently as advised it is not true PAL as the video noise was still there but significantly less. On the console bottom is stated - PAL-I, which should be ok, but still might be the issue. I tried to record another console - 8bit one. The recording seems stable and had very minor tracking issue. I will change the belt, just to be sure it is not slipping and will find a tape that was never used - some up for sale in my region. Thanks for the help. It did get in the right direction.

[dellsam34]

Sometimes when you fast forward a tape and rewind it, it loosen the tape layers and the tension holding them, Long term storage can affect the state of tapes especially if those storage conditions were not ideal.

[vstoyanov]

So now what I get is the following black streaks.
https://youtu.be/hmhMsTirTBI?si=tiKXCQbs-cMHS5S_
If I move the tracking adjustment, they are 99% gone. Do you know what might be causing it in first place on the recording? Maybe the previously mention timing issues?

[dellsam34]

You could have dirty tapes, clean the heads and do another recording or try to avoid those tapes, get another batch of sealed blank tapes, they are not that expensive nowadays.

[vstoyanov]

I cleaned the head, following tutorials using the sheet of paper and IPA 99%. I wonder if in any way I could have damaged the head. I did try recording over different tapes, they have been stored in a dry place. I will find a brand new tape and test.