Replacing VHS Tape Cassette

[Winsordawson]

I am working with some tapes that appear to have been edited on a VCR with bad alignment, as I can only view them in fast forward. Other tapes work fine, however.

I have read that transferring the vhs tape to a new cassette may help. Would it?

[volksjager]

are you sure you are not trying to play NTSC tapes on a PAL machine or vice-versa?

transferring the tape into a different shell wont really do anything.

[Winsordawson]

Thank you but no--I have played many tapes and I know which camera they were recorded on. What I read is that maybe the tape mechanism is off. All my tapes are NTSC.

[volksjager]

if the tapes where made on an out-of-alignment deck the only thing you can do is either use that same deck (if is available)
or purposely mis-align a deck to match the tapes

[Winsordawson]

how can I mis-align a deck? by unscrewing the guides?

[kpmedia]

Yes, just like that. GO SLOW!

[Winsordawson]

Are the guides in the pictures attached? Which of the screws belong to the guides?

[kpmedia]

guides-P1010002.jpg

^ These.

Go very, very small. Like 8th turns each. Because 2-3 whole turms is enough to make them come off entirely.
Note that all VCRs cannot be adjussted like this. In fact, few can. But JVC often can.

[Winsordawson]

Thank you, do I need to ground myself if doing this while the machine is on? Or can I not ground it as long as the machine is off while I turn? Also I am using a SVHS Mitsubishi.

[kpmedia]

You can ground if you're worried or OCD, but it really doesn't matter.

... I wouldn't drag my shoes on carpet or anything though.