JVC HR-S9500EK ejects tape instantly?

[CaptureDJ]

Hello all,

Ive recently purchased this unit. I used it to capture 2 commercial release tapes fine. Then I opened it and cleaned the sensors and head (I think). Then I captured 2 more commercial tapes fine.

Today I plugged it into a TV to test the TV. I used a home recorded tape. It played fine. Then I FF the tape to see what was on it. The picture went a bit wobbly so I stopped and ejected. While ejecting the tape got caught in the mechanism while the case ejected. I opened the cover of the unit and simply unhooked it and removed the tape.

Now when I insert a cassette it ejects almost instantly, but without the tape getting snagged.

Here’s a video of the what’s happening under the hood.

https://streamable.com/461zlm (normal speed)

If anyone has any advice on what’s happening and how to fix it would be greatly appreciated. Was excited to finally get a player with TBC so hope this isn’t terminal.

I’m in the UK near London. If anyone knows someone who can fix and service this that would also be appreciated.

Here are some more pictures from under the hood.

https://imgur.com/a/ojVPNxr

Ive cleaned the head with iso and a lint free cloth. Although I’ve only clean the top part (with the grooves). It still has a few dark marks in it and also in the grooves. Hope you can see this. Should I also be cleaning the lower smooth part of the head? It seems this is the part where the tape rests against when inserted into the machine.

Thanks for any help and suggestions. Hope the links are acceptable.

[latreche34]

Make sure the tape carriage is fully seated on both sides when the tape is down, You also have the Dynamic drum system model so that could be what's causing the failure.

[CaptureDJ]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I think i shot the gun a bit there. I’ve just tried another tape and it accepts it fine without spitting it out. Hopefully it was just the Jeepers Creepers tape it rejects. Any idea why a tape would be the cause of the problem?

Also, did you check out the pictures of the head? Do you think it’s clean or should I give it another go?

Thanks again

[latreche34]

A tight tape that has a faulty brake release mechanism could cause the tape to come out half way and get stuck. Cleaning the VCR once in while is fine but if the picture looks good just leave it alone.