BigAde
Established Member
Hi
Looks like similar questions have been asked about this sort of thing before, but thought I'd try my luck (optimist that I am!).
My ageing Panasonic HD-650 VCR used to make superb recordings, but alas no longer.
It plays back pre-recorded tapes and recordings from other VCRs absolutely fine, but recently its own recordings have become almost unwatchable. It starts off okay, but then the picture starts jumping about everywhere, as if the vertical hold has gone altogether for a few seconds and then it goes back to 'normal' for a few seconds before starting the whole cycle again. It has got progressively worse over the last few weeks and now the majority of the recording is 'jumping'.
By changing the tracking during playback to one far extreme of its range, just before the picture goes altogether, the picture stops jumping about and is watchable, but since the tracking is so far off what it should be the picture is fairly fuzzy and not nice to watch.
I've taken the cover off and cleaned all relevant parts with tape head cleaner. While this made a slight improvement for a few days, it's now back to where we began, if not worse. I'm wondering if the actual tape head is worn.
Trouble is when it's working it's a very good VCR - cost £400 when I bought it (five years ago) and was top of the range. I don't know whether to spend £50+ getting it repaired or to get a new VCR. Don't want a Tivo because I often record stuff for my parents and vice versa so I need to swap tapes etc.
Any advice VERY welcome !
Looks like similar questions have been asked about this sort of thing before, but thought I'd try my luck (optimist that I am!).
My ageing Panasonic HD-650 VCR used to make superb recordings, but alas no longer.
It plays back pre-recorded tapes and recordings from other VCRs absolutely fine, but recently its own recordings have become almost unwatchable. It starts off okay, but then the picture starts jumping about everywhere, as if the vertical hold has gone altogether for a few seconds and then it goes back to 'normal' for a few seconds before starting the whole cycle again. It has got progressively worse over the last few weeks and now the majority of the recording is 'jumping'.
By changing the tracking during playback to one far extreme of its range, just before the picture goes altogether, the picture stops jumping about and is watchable, but since the tracking is so far off what it should be the picture is fairly fuzzy and not nice to watch.
I've taken the cover off and cleaned all relevant parts with tape head cleaner. While this made a slight improvement for a few days, it's now back to where we began, if not worse. I'm wondering if the actual tape head is worn.
Trouble is when it's working it's a very good VCR - cost £400 when I bought it (five years ago) and was top of the range. I don't know whether to spend £50+ getting it repaired or to get a new VCR. Don't want a Tivo because I often record stuff for my parents and vice versa so I need to swap tapes etc.
Any advice VERY welcome !