VCR Problem

John P. Cooper · January-29th-2006, 10:06 PM

I have been working my VCR overtime lately dubbing videos.

Today, I went to put in another video and the machine would not take it. Resisted the video which it ususallly just slides right in.

Also...the machine is shutting off by itself w/o a video in. I turn it on, it makes a slight wwhirring sound and then it shuts down.

It may have gotten over heated or something. I had a similar problem with another machine once.

I have now unplugged it and willl let it rest for a few hours.

Any clues short of going out and buying a new VCR right now? This is a good JVC model and I am reluctant to oss it out.

John P. Cooper · January-30th-2006, 02:56 AM

I unplugged it and let in totally rest for a few hours.
Just plugged it back in and it seems to be functioning.

When in doubt, plug it out.

Pete C · January-30th-2006, 07:13 AM

Dubbing videos? Why? They'll be obsolete shortly & you lose quality with each generation. Get yourself a VHS=>DVD deck. They're cheap enough these days, and the DVDs are cheaper than tapes.

John P. Cooper · January-30th-2006, 10:16 AM

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Tanager · January-30th-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John P. Cooper

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I haven't crunched the numbers myself, but I suspect that if you compare the cost of potential repairs plus tapes vs. a new deck plus blank DVDs, you will come out ahead in the long run (and with better quality and longevity for your recordings) with his recommendation.

Pete C · January-30th-2006, 11:10 AM

I paid $279 for my dubbing deck about a year and a half ago and converted close to 200 hours of tape to DVD. In bulk, I get blank DVDs for about 30 cents a piece. And I can record direct to DVD from my digital cable box.

John P. Cooper · January-30th-2006, 02:23 PM

"In happier days" a few hundred bucks would have made little difference. Until paychecks begin coming in again, even 100 bucks is money I cannot spend.

Simple as that.

Exciting update - the problematic VCR is not working again. Comes on, making whirring/spinning sound and then shuts off. I have unplugged it again and will let it stya unplugged for a bit. Maybe there is something in there that is 'jammed' or a piece of something causing a problem.

John P. Cooper · January-30th-2006, 07:20 PM

Tell ya what, Pete C. -

You send me a new VHS to DVD player recorder and I will make you copies of 20 jazz videos in my collection onto DVD. Some of the material may not be of intererst to you and some of it may be a revelation and some of it you can just give to unlike-minded jazz friends.

I also have lots of ancient PBS jazz shows from the 70s and 80s, along with short films and documentaries, etc.

Interested?

BTW - this goes for anyone normal here on the forum - trade me a VHS-to-DVD recorder for 20 great jazz/swing/big band DVDs.

Pete C · February-5th-2006, 02:48 PM

Check out tag/garage sales. You should be able to get a working VCR for $10. That's what I sold one for last year.

If you have one working VCR you don't need a combination deck for dubbing, you can dub from vhs to DVD via cables.

I don't know the product, but Amazon is offering a factory refurbished Go Video DVD recorder for $100 with free shipping. When you factor the much lower cost of media, plus the longevity & lack of generation loss, you should bite the bullet for a DVD recorder.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

John P. Cooper · February-5th-2006, 05:10 PM

BIG LOTS has been running a sale on re-furbed VCRs, combos and DVD/CD players.....24 bucks for the single units and 49 bucks for the combo. Good old time names like Emerson and Sylvania and the ever cheap Symphonic.

I bought an Emersom VCR. Works fine for a 24 bucks VCR. Only flaw - tapes recorded at the slow speed on other machines playback on this unit with a 'squeel' on the soundtrack. Other wise, except for a slightly small remote, it's fine and copies are coming out fine.

It is amazing that some features on cheap untis are not on more expensive units. This Emerson has an 'eject' button on the remote. My other VCRs have not had that.

I still want to get the JVC repaired if I can. It is a damn good machine.

BIG LOTS did not have any DVD recorders, though.

Pete - thanx for the tip and the link.

Pete C · February-5th-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John P. Cooper

Good old time names like Emerson and Sylvania and the ever cheap Symphonic.

All three are produced by the same company, Funai, which is Japan-based & manufactures in China. They lease these "legacy" American brand names, and actually sometimes sell the same item under all 3 names. My VHS-DVD recorder is a Sylvania. The tape transport broke down after I had transferred about 100 hours of tape, but it was still under warranty.