video erratic playback problem

[Zordiac]

Video has started to lose picture.

1. Picture often starts ok but then completely distorted - snowed
over, picture lost - and sound corrupted.

2. Sometimes if rewind and playback then the distorted picture is seen
- therefore recording would appear ok. Continue playback and
distortion kicks in again.

3. Noticed problen on existing tape so bought a new sony tape and
tried recording using SP. But same problem seen as 1 and 2 above.

4. Tried recording using the new sony but this time using LP (long
play). Playback started off ok as before and ran for a few minutes
(again as before) then picture is distorted again ie complete loss of
picture. And video display is no longer indicating "LP", instead
"tracking" flashes up ie appears and disappears. Also all the
characters in the video start talking like donald duck, so I guess
this is running usng SP(short play).

5. Tried playing commercial video and seemed ok but then distortion
seen as 1 and 2 but I think not as often.

6. All I have tried is cleaning the heads with a cotton bud and
alcohol.

 

[Jerry G.]

This sounds like a warn head assy, and or some warn guides as well. The
machine would most likely require a new head, maybe guides, and a proper
re-alignment. You should check the head carrier output and for any
defective parts before actually doing a full service on the machine. Also,
check for warn belts, pinch roller, and if there is a cleaning sponge, that
it is in good condition. Some models do not have a cleaning sponge.

Considering that VCR's are very low in cost in relation to servicing them,
I would replace the machine, if a proper cleaning, and a simple servicing
does not fix it.

--

Greetings,

Jerry Greenberg GLG Technologies GLG
=========================================
WebPage http://www.zoom-one.com
Electronics http://www.zoom-one.com/electron.htm
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"Zordiac" <zordiac@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7744b29b.0312210132.6fca7752@posting.google.com...
Video has started to lose picture.

1. Picture often starts ok but then completely distorted - snowed
over, picture lost - and sound corrupted.

2. Sometimes if rewind and playback then the distorted picture is seen
- therefore recording would appear ok. Continue playback and
distortion kicks in again.

3. Noticed problen on existing tape so bought a new sony tape and
tried recording using SP. But same problem seen as 1 and 2 above.

4. Tried recording using the new sony but this time using LP (long
play). Playback started off ok as before and ran for a few minutes
(again as before) then picture is distorted again ie complete loss of
picture. And video display is no longer indicating "LP", instead
"tracking" flashes up ie appears and disappears. Also all the
characters in the video start talking like donald duck, so I guess
this is running usng SP(short play).

5. Tried playing commercial video and seemed ok but then distortion
seen as 1 and 2 but I think not as often.

6. All I have tried is cleaning the heads with a cotton bud and
alcohol.

 

[Ken G.]

If the picture is good at one point and it sounds like it is by your
description then its not the heads .

Try cleaning the audio / speed head , the one near the pinch roller . do
not use alcohol it is as useless as water . You can use a pencil eraser
to rub the above heads clean . If some of you think this will ruin
something then why has it worked the very best here for over 15 years
with no damage .

If that does not work you may have capacitor problems in the power
supply .