Barry777
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May 31, 2010, 5:53 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Hi Blank, If you just need to make copies and won't need the VCR after that, you might try the thrift shops or Goodwill if they are in your area. In most cases, folks have gone completely to DVD (BIG mistake in my opinion) and simply have no more use for the VCR's. The shops in my area guarantee the items, and also have outlets and TV's around to test VCR's - though you will probably need to bring your own cables and a test tape. You'll also find a VCR at probably every yard sale, and of course they all work according to the seller! For your one-time purpose, a newer VCR will probably work best - though I go for older units and replace the belts and idler tires, as older units have much more reliable electronics and mechanisms. You'll probably get lucky and find a newer one that will give you a couple months before it craps out, whereas you'll need to do a little work with an older one. Since I use VCR's regularly, my rule of thumb is never to buy one that I can pick up with one hand - but the 5 pound cheapos would be better for your purpose. Naturally, you'll want to test them with tapes that can be damaged - and test them for hours when you get home, before putting any valuable movies in them. Also, it's not a bad idea to have the cover off when testing or using it, so you can prevent a catastrophe before it happens - just keep an eye on things and make sure it behaves. With a newer unit, you'll want to make sure it draws the tape fully back into the cassette before ejecting. And with ANY unit, check rewind and fast forward before hitting the "Play" button. If it won't rewind or fast forward, it's probably going to eat the tape when you try to play it. Make sure it does everything else before letting it pull the tape out of the cassette. If the tape does hang up on something, you have the cover off and can save the tape before it gets caught on stuff. Unfortunately, most newer units pull the tape out and wrap it as soon as it's inserted. You'll want to keep an especially close eye on these, and be ready to save the tape if necessary. If the machine ejects it while there's still tape caught on the guides or around the head drum, you're in trouble. Interestingly, my 30 year old Pioneer Laser Disc player works great and has had no service whatsoever. In sharp contrast, you're lucky to get 3 years out of the modern-day-equivalent DVD player I doubt that further cleaning will improve your current VCR, sounds more like electronic alignment and/or leaky capacitors. Good luck! . . . Barry Fone - VCR Repair hobbyist and professional FAA Repair Station Avionics Bench Technician (top level). TEST EQUIPMENT: (4) Sencore VC93 VCR Analyzers, (11) Tentel gauges, Sencore VA48 and (2) VA62 Video Analyzers, Sigma Electronics TSG-375 NTSC/SMPTE Video Generator, several VCR Alignment Tapes, plus countless Oscilloscopes, Frequency Counters, Wow and Flutter Meters, Distortion Analyzers, Vectorscope, 136-channel Logic Analyzer, Signature Analyzer . . . . VIDEO GEAR: (6) JVC BR-S822U's, (3) JVC BR-7000 series, (3) JVC BR-S500U, (2) JVC BR-S800U, JVC GR-800U and (2) GR-860U Editing Controllers, Sony FXE-100 Video Switcher/Effects Generator, (5) Time Code Generator/Readers, (1) Sony SLO-1800 (Beta), (2) Alesis ADAT-XT, (1) Sony DXC-1200 TV Camera, Pioneer VP-1000 Laser Disc Player plus many consumer grade Beta and VHS VCR's. Passionate electronics enthusiast since 1973...most anything except computers. Check out my collection at www.barrys8trackrepair.com/MyVideoGear.html
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