Hi to all,
Hi TinCanAlley,
Your VCR & TV probably don't cope well with MacroVision encoded "TV viewing destruction (anti-copy)" signals.
See here on Wikipedia how it works :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_Protection_System
Do you have some tapes recorded by yourself from TV/Cable/Satellite?
if these run OK, you have the answer.
How to defeat it ? : a MacroVision removal device.
read here, post #276 & later, some circuits & products suggested :
https://antiqueradios.com/forums/vie...5399&start=260
Can be found second-hand on E-Bay & other places, search for "Macrovision stripper", "Sync cleaner", "Video Stabilizer", etc. Many devices did not dare to use the name MacroVision in their product description for fear of legal action.
Many consumer electronics magazines of the late 70s & 80s published DIY circuits.
for instance, see the Nov 1988 issue of Elektor Magazine :
https://ia801702.us.archive.org/19/i...88-11_text.pdf
Best Regards
jhalphen
Paris/France