Cannot adjust tracking on VCR in LP/SLP mode anymore?
 

My VCR in SLP and LP modes will not get clear when i press AUTO TRACK now..... I started noticing it slightly on 1 tape months ago but none else (That movie is SLP on that tape) then I didnt use my VCR for 4 or 5 days and when I went to use it again,it was really bad in LP/SLP mode.... I press "Auto track" and it gets clear for a split second and then messes up again....

Could this be very dirty LP/SLP heads? (Safe head cleaning tapes (not abrasive) do not fix the issue)

Or I was thinking maybe misaligned heads? (Maybe they fell out of place)

The transport has been slow on it for a year now or so... I dont know if there is something jammed in it or not.... (I havent ever opened it to check.... I am afraid of hurting it as I dont know what im doing really)


Thanx for any help :)

That does sound like an alignment issue (though it's the tape guides that go out of alignment, not the video heads themselves). They can loosen over time. If they are too off, the VCR can't fully align to the video signal on the tape.

There is a short explanation of how to adjust them on some decks here provided it's a vcr where the guides are easily adjustable (don't know what VCR you got). I recently used it on a samsung deck to play back a tape that was recorded on a misaligned vcr, so it's not just on JVCs you can easily adjust it. There are some images of the tape guides a bit down in this post.

SLP and LP are more sensitive to tracking problems than SP, so it makes sense that it's more noticeable with those speeds.

Alternatively, if it's a cheap VCR, and you don't want to mess with the alignment, getting another lower-end deck is not too hard. If it's e.g a high-end S-VHS deck that may not be as appealing.

Sounds like standard slipped alignment.
As hodgey said, quick text guide is here: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-...c-vhs-vcr.html

But slow transport not good, maybe more serious.

And always remember: Better build quality is a reason to have higher-end S-VHS VCRs. Generally speaking, the transports are more robust (some models even more than others), alignment doesn't slip as much, and just overall better build quality. It's not just about line TBCs and filters, though that's also obviously a part of the equation. For example, I have a few decent S-VHS decks for $250, and that was only double the price of a POS VHS VCR in the 90s/2000s.

Thank you guys :)

I had just ordered a bunch of pre-recorded tapes off ebay months back and most are in SLP mode.... Im wondering if its partly dirty also on those heads.........

I have a Memorex MONO unit .. Model MVR 2040A hodgey......