Weird VCR Situation...

[WCV82]

Ok so I have a later model JVC Super VHS (SVHS) ET VCR, I'd guess made in the early 2000s.

After a particularly sticky tape seemingly messed up my video heads I did some routine maintenance. I test played a tape that was home recorded in EP and it played back perfectly.

Then I played back numerous SP commercially duplicated tapes and all had typical snow for tracking which would seem to show that the heads were still dirty/clogged. Audio played back perfectly, only the video had an issue, and only in SP recording mode.

Is there a way to fix this outside of a deep head cleaning? I'd assume if dirty heads were the culprit that all tapes regardless of recording speed would not give a video signal.

[Electronic M]

How many heads does it have? I think some models with 6 or more drum heads had separate SP and EP video heads. If it is a 4 head unit it ought to pass some video in both modes if the heads are clean.

[Popester]

I agree with Tom completely. If it has 4 heads 2 are most likely used for SP and the other 2 heads would be used for EP/SLP mode.

[dishdude]

I think the sticky tape damaged one of the SP heads.

[WCV82]

So if a tape was recorded in SP certain heads would read it, but EP other heads would read it? Interesting, never knew that. Would best course of action to be to clean all the heads again then just to be safe? I have been using some Youtube how-to videos on it, any other nuggets of wisdom?

[Dude111]

I think mine needs a good cleaning...... It could be the belts also,I just dont know.....

Good luck my friend!!

[jbattles]

get some denatured alcohol and a clean soft paper towel and re clean. just be sure to pour the alcohol on the towel and keep pressure on the head drum but not to hard. move the drum around 4 times or more if you want, if there's dirt there. It will it come off. denatured alcohol is the best because its all most 100 proof.

[Electronic M]

Hold the rag stationary and spin the head drum...the other way around especially if there's up and down motion can bust off the heads (=your SOL).

[Chip Chester]

All good except lint-free, please. Like Texwipe or similar. A bit of lint is huge in comparison to a tape head gap.

[Dude111]

I guess I could try dues.... Its OPEN so I can easily get in there....... (I accidently dropped 3 of the screws so its basically open)

[jbattles]

denatured alcohol always worked the best you can use it on belts and the heads.

[JohnCT]

Probably the safest way to apply a cleaner like alcohol is Tyvek. Any towel with an open weave can snag the heads and snap them off so easily it won't even be felt. Tyvek won't snag the head chips.

John

[zeno]

Our cure was 91% isopropyl alcohol & its dirt cheap. So cheap I
use it to light my Big Green Egg !
Use with a REAL piece of chamois NOT the fake stuff. Not cheap but cut into
one inch squares will last a lifetime.
Never clean up & down. Put two fingers on the top of head & rock
back & forth holding the chamois over each head. Its probably a
6 head machine. The idea is to get the crap out of the tiny head gap.
There are some last ditch cures but lets give them a good leaving alone.

73 Zeno
LFOD !

[Ed in Tx]

I've had situations where some sticky sugary goo stuff got on the heads and the only thing that would dissolve it was plain ol' water.

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by Ed in Tx

I've had situations where some sticky sugary goo stuff got on the heads and the only thing that would dissolve it was plain ol' water.

"Jr isn't it time you realized no matter how many PB'n J sandwiches you put in there it will never play them!"