Panasonic NV-S99 adjust tape guide?

[NordicBear]

Hello!

I have a S-VHS Camcorder, the Panasonic NV-S99.
I bought it second hand. Yes, maybe a should buy a D8 or Hi8 camera (and throw this in the bin) instead but now I already have a VHS workflow.

The problem with this camera is the lower part of the video-picture is not great.
The camera has also some kind of tracking problem, you can only run the tape in the camcorder.
I tried the tape in my FS200 and I try to adjust the tracking so the sound "gets in synk". Not great, better to playback in the camera.

I wonder if I can adjust the tapeguide screws to improve the lower part of the picture?
This guy did a decent job with another camera. (notice, he played an old tape in playback)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzqv8sIJFHo&t=766s

I have attached some testvideos and a photo on the "adjustment points" I call them A, B and C.

When I play older tapes, it playback fine both in the camcorder and in the VCR. Only when I record new tape I get this misalignment/tracking problem.

The catch is that I can only se the issue in playback. In record-mode the camcorder sends the sensor signal directly to the EVF and S-video output.

[themaster1]

You can try to adjust the P3 guide (on the right side), the safest procedure is as follow:

1- Play a SP garbage tape that you don't care about (preferably a retail movie, ideally an alignment tape >>$$) , also a EP/LP tape after that (recorded with a good aligned vcr)
2- takes photos (or markings) of the initial position of your guide before doing anything.
3: Play the tape and disable AUTO TRACKING. (look at your user manual if you don't know how)
4- Now adjust with the official tool or a screwdriver that fit
note: Looking at your video you will not need much really (1/4 turn), Hi-Fi audio sound should be perfect (no crackling or nothing)
5: Now play the EP/LP tape, ensure there is no noise bars on the bottom, re-adjust if so

Note: use an old analog tv set for best performances (mid 2000 tv's with euro scart works for me, just not ideal)
Connect the vcr directly to the TV set (no device in between: dvd recorder etc..)

Did it countless times, it works if you follow this procedure
Video for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyUY7cFP9zw

Looking at your videos samples closely there is a another noise issue: that's the head switching noise bar (kinda "greyish" bar) . This can be adjusted aswell but it's not related to the guides.