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| Thread ID: 44903 | 2004-05-03 05:52:00 | Off Topic: What's wrong with my VCR? | ktee (5538) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 233844 | 2004-05-03 05:52:00 | These days, the VCR doesn't get the same amount of use it once did. However, I discovered after trying to record something recently that not only did it emit a high-pitched intermittent squeak while recording, but when viewing the result the on-screen images are kind of wavy. I tried looking at one or two tapes that I know were okay when they were recorded, and they were also wavy so it seems it is the VCR rather than the tapes. Might it need a head clean? It's about 5 or 6 years old and has never had a head clean. Or might it be something worse? Thanks all. | ktee (5538) | ||
| 233845 | 2004-05-03 07:04:00 | with the squeaking i'd say it is probably something physical that has worn out or so | agent_24 (4330) | ||
| 233846 | 2004-05-03 07:17:00 | Look man, DVDs simply do not work in video players. ;) | Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 233847 | 2004-05-03 07:21:00 | Find yourself an old hand sewing needle or some such, and after locating and making accessable the main drive motor lower spindle bearing apply the smallest drop of CRC 5.56 or such-like. Don't get any on the rubber drive band! The wavering is caused by the momentary slow down and speed up as the phase lock loop circuitry tries to compensate for the sticky dried bearing. It is normally this motor that is squealing. If not look for the source and do the same, the wavering is a symptom. Generally this can be done with no major dismantling except removing the bottom cover and folding back the main pcb. This is always what has been wrong when I have looked at this problem. Of course you must be careful to note where the mains power is located for safety's sake, but generally speaking it is easy to avoid. |
zqwerty (97) | ||
| 233848 | 2004-05-03 07:27:00 | Once you have removed the DVD - I recommend needle nosed pliers, get you trusty tool kit. The heads need cleaning. My Sony is a piece of cake to clean. Take the case off, look for a shiny spinning wheel. This contains the heads. Get a cotton bud or two and some meths. Isopropyl alcohol is better - from the chemist shop. Gently spin the wheel against a cotton bud dipped in meths. It should turn brown picking up metallic oxide. Dry the heads off with another bud and Bob's your uncle. Try not to put your fingers in direct contact with the shiny surface. Lots of oils and urea on the skin (you really needed to know that didn't you) However you may find the heads difficult to reach and it then becomes either an adventure to see how much dismantling you try or, a trip to a shop for a professional job. Good Luck |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 233849 | 2004-05-03 08:32:00 | Dirty heads will not cause any physical "squeak" noise, such noises would be caused by worn out belts or dry bearings. But a head clean would not hurt the situation, just might not fix it. If its bearing dryness, the tip above would help, also it might come right as it gets used again if the lubrication has solidified and is not totally missing. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 233850 | 2004-05-04 09:57:00 | You can buy special head cleaning thingies which would avoid the possibility of bits of cotton bud getting caught in your heads. As an aside, do you know when the record timer will work till? The clock in mine "runs out" this year after which I'll have to buy a new vcr or set it to a previous year in which the dates match up-if there is one programmed into it. |
rads (3082) | ||
| 233851 | 2004-05-04 10:47:00 | As for the year you need to be identical to the year you are in, go here: www.hermetic.ch |
zqwerty (97) | ||
| 233852 | 2004-05-04 23:30:00 | There is absolutely no issue as far as the clock is concerned. It is a modern machine and is not subject to the "years running out" scenario. And yes, I think my next move is a head-clean [for the VCR, not me :)]. | karent (5222) | ||
| 233853 | 2004-05-05 07:48:00 | I shudder at the thought of someone cleaning the VCR heads with cotton buds!! We used to use those flat plastic angled sticks with chamois like material on the end, hold the stick still and move the head drum back and forth. If no sticks were around we used old business shirts or hankerchiefs, pulled tightly over the finger. Less chance then of snagging the head etc. If they weren't available we used a business card with isopropyl on it. Clean the guides too while you are at it. J :D |
Jester (13) | ||
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