Frequently Asked VCR & Camcorder Questions (FAQ's)

VCR and Camcorder

Common VCR/Camcorder Playback Symptoms

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• Why does it cost $50+ for a "cleaning and alignment" when I only payed $95.00 for the VCR? The time, equipment and materials to clean and align an inexpensive VCR is the same as a $400 VCR (if you can find one anymore). VCR's under $300 are disposable if anything major happens. All VCR's need cleaning, alignment and lubrication every 12-18 months. Especially if you don't use it much (same applies to camcorders). With the introduction in 2002 of DVD "burners", some with tuners, VCR's appear to be at the end of their technology life.
  
  

•   "I have snow or specs in playback"

• "I have a friend who insists that gold plated connectors on my cables will improve my video picture. But I put them on my VCR, it doesn't improve my picture. Did I waste my money?" The Gold plated cables ends and connectors can improve a signal, but you have to use an oscilloscope to tell the difference. This is just marketing hype so you will pay big bucks for them. Proper maintenance on your VCR, every 12-18 months, is a better investment.
  
  

• Noise in Picture

  Dirty Heads Tape Path Alignment Bad Video Heads

• "VCR has been working fine, now it won't accept a tape" 
                                      or 
  What is wrong when I insert my videotape into the VCR
  and it ejects automatically?
  

• "My tapes jam"
  
  

• "Tapes I recorded play fine, but new commercially made tapes or tapes I recorded a year ago won't play back."
  
  

• "I have lines at the top (or bottom) of my
  picture during playback"

• "I hear an annoying squeal during playback (rewind or fast forward)"
  
  

• Usually the tape automatically rewinds at the end, but does not anymore,
  what is wrong? As with most people, you probably never had the VCR
  serviced, Most of the time it is the rubber belts and pinch roller. rarely, it
  could be the end-of tape sensor.
  
  

• "I put a tape in my VCR and all I get is a blank blue screen for a picture"
  
  

• What are DVDs. Will they replace VCRs and
  
  Laser Disk Players?
  

• "I get a blue picture when I play back a tape"
  
  

• Can I use my TV remote for the VCR, DVD or LaserDisc. Many current remotes are programmable. Check your owner's manual for the codes and instructions. If you can't find your manual, try the manufacturer's web site or our Remote Codes link.
  
  

• I have surround sound, but I am not getting it on some VCR tapes, why? You
  need a VCR that is surround capable and a receiver that has the surround sound
  decoder

Camcorder Only

• "I put my cassette in backwards. I got it out but now it won't load"
  
  You almost certainly have damaged the cassette loading mechanism. If the tape is still stuck, do not attempt to pull it out! A technician will have to disassemble the camcorder to remove the tape without causing more damage. It may be as simple as realigning the mechanism, but, if some parts are bent, they will have to be replaced and that is generally a major (expensive) repair - usually above $175.
  
  

• "Are head cleaning cassettes for camcorders any good?"
  
  If you have a "full size" camcorder they are pretty effective. But, 8mm and "C" formats do not do a very good job if they do anything. Further, while we have not seen any full-size units damaged by head cleaning cassettes, WE HAVE SEEN THE SMALLER FORMATS DESTROYED BY THEM. Cleaning cassettes do not clean the mechanism very well - and will only clean heads that were clean to start out with and just got "plugged" from an older tape or a rental.
  
  

• "I have one of those 8mm camcorders where a motor lifts the cassette out
  and then a door pops open. An unknown person pushed down on the
  cassette tray to make it load quicker. Now it is jammed. Is this serious ?"
  Yes. See "I put my cassette in backwards. I got it out but now it won't
  load" above.
  
  

• A word about camcorder service companies. Most shops can service and maintain a full size unit, they are not much different in the basics from a VCR. The smaller formats require special tools, jigs and adapters to service them. The costs are huge for the service company. Many of the products require special adapters and attach to a computer and need special software for each model. We recommend that you make sure they either have or can get these service aids. A growing number of manufacturers require that you ship the unit back for repair or replacement.
  

Glossary

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