JVC VCR chewing tape? (Philips VR-1100)

[hysteriah]

My Philips VR 1100 (I think this is a clone of the JVC HR-S7700) VCR (PAL model) has developed a problem where it eats tapes, and I’m trying to figure out the exact cause. This is a Philips VR 1100, which is essentially a JVC clone of the HR-S7700.

Watch my YouTube video to see the problem (I would love to embed it into this post, but don't know how):
https://youtu.be/STxQeruBolg?si=hUjF0DMZMalVxYmU

The problem gets worse with longer tapes:
- Shorter 1–2 hour tapes (E-120) usually play fine without being damaged
- Longer 3–4 hour tapes (E-180 to E-240) almost always get chewed up

What I’ve tried so far:
- Cleaning the tape path (not the video heads) with cotton swabs and 99.5% isopropyl alcohol
- Cleaning the drum and video heads with chamois swabs
- Replacing the pinch roller with a brand new one

I would really appreciate guidance from anyone who knows these decks or has dealt with a similar tape chewing problem. Any repair tips, adjustments, or common failure points to check would be very helpful.

[mts1]

I don't have much experience with video cassettes, but I do have solid experience with audio cassettes.
After watching your video, I can identify at least three possible reasons why tapes might get eaten:
1. The take-up reel's pull is too strong.
2. The pinch roller is applying too much pressure on the capstan.
3. The pinch roller and capstan are no longer coaxial - possibly because the capstan is no longer vertical due to wear.
As for why only longer tapes tend to suffer, the answer is fairly simple: they use thinner tape.

[aramkolt]

Hard to tell from the video since it just appears to crinkle out of nowhere, but my guess is it needs a pinch roller replacement based on what I'm seeing. You have nothing to lose by trying to clean the pinch roller better first though since there's visible residue on it. If the mating surface with the capstan isn't exactly flat or if there's some issue with the bearing, it could intermittently pull the tape up or down potentially causing what you see there.

[timtape]

Hard to see. Try lifting the flap up as high as possible without damage to give a better view. Perhaps chock it up temporarily.

[radiokom]

I would like to agree with opinion that something is wrong with the pinch roller alignment relative to the capstan shaft. Pinch roller wear alone should not be a cause. Or back tension is too weak (but in this case there should be another problems too) Maybe one (or both) of the guides is also out of place. In such cases, simple adjustment will not help - a mechanics full test according to SM is needed. And this requires a number of tools that used to be in every repair shop, now few have them (Tentelometer for example). I would recommend simply replacing the VCR, it will be faster and cheaper.

[hysteriah]

Thank you very much for all your great suggestions. It's highly appreciated

Here's a little update:
I've now made an updated video by playing a special made tape without the flap to better show what happens. I've tried cleaning the brand new pinch roller with isopropyl with no improvement

But I've made a new and probably important discovery: If I change the angle of the audio head, then the problem is gone. But then the mono audio gets distorted

Here's the new updated video: https://youtu.be/jpieWyojkuU

[mts1]

hysteriah, applying aggressive materials to the pinch roller is not good idea - the rubber gets degraded.
Yes, by tilting the head you just compensate the pull. It is not a solution, it's just temporary workaround.
Your problem will keep worsening.
Before you throw your VCR away, try to tilt the block with the pinch roller towards the capstan.
If you over-tilt, it will start pulling tape up, under-tilt - it will keep pulling it down.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mts1

applying aggressive materials to the pinch roller is not good idea - the rubber gets degraded.

It is a myth. All studios around the world always cleaned pinch rollers with IPA and heavy dirty with acetone. How would you imagine roller cleaning? With baby soap?

[mts1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

It is a myth. All studios around the world always cleaned pinch rollers with IPA and heavy dirty with acetone. How would you imagine roller cleaning? With baby soap?

Not a myth. Reality. I saw many of them becoming soft and sticky.
Yes, soap would be much better.
Acetone? That's the best way to destroy them. Well, maybe after a flamethrower.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hysteriah

Thank you very much for all your great suggestions. It's highly appreciated

Here's a little update:
I've now made an updated video by playing a special made tape without the flap to better show what happens. I've tried cleaning the brand new pinch roller with isopropyl with no improvement

But I've made a new and probably important discovery: If I change the angle of the audio head, then the problem is gone. But then the mono audio gets distorted

Here's the new updated video: https://youtu.be/jpieWyojkuU

Clearly there is a problem with mechanics. If heads are fine, I would try to find cheap, dead (no power on), JVC with the same mechanics in ebay, take mechanics, swap head cylinder, keep fixed heads from new transport. You are not able to repair mechanics and most of repair shops are not able too. And if any, it will cost more than 2 fully working VCRs. Do not mess with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mts1

Not a myth. Reality. I saw many of them becoming soft and sticky.
Yes, soap would be much better.
Acetone? That's the best way to destroy them. Well, maybe after a flamethrower.

No! I have more than 30 years experience on studio tape recorders. Do not use polyurethane, like those Athan crap, what are sticky even when new. Normal rubber rollers should be cleaned with IPA. An when get used gear at first service it is normal to clean roller with acetone.

[mts1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

No! I have more than 30 years experience on studio tape recorders. Do not use polyurethane, like those Athan crap, what are sticky even when new. Normal rubber rollers should be cleaned with IPA. An when get used gear at first service it is normal to clean roller with acetone.

Just for the sake of the arguments I asked google "Does acetone affect rubber?"
Short answer was "Yes".
The same for IPA.
Both OK for short term, occasional use. Not good for long term/regular use.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mts1

Just for the sake of the arguments I asked google "Does acetone affect rubber?"
Short answer was "Yes".
The same for IPA.
Both OK for short term, occasional use. Not good for long term/regular use.

And from where you know IPA make rubber rollers soft and sticky? From google too? You should know - rubber rollers never goes soft and sticky, but dry out and became hard. Than you know (after 10 years of use, not 24/7 of course) it is time to send roller to Gianni from Sofh.it to rerubber. It is polyurethane what goes soft and sticky. And those should be avoided, because they are crap.

-- merged --

From video looks like that guide after capstan is bent. But I am not sure.

[timtape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hysteriah

...
But I've made a new and probably important discovery: If I change the angle of the audio head, then the problem is gone. But then the mono audio gets distorted

Here's the new updated video: https://youtu.be/jpieWyojkuU

You are tilting the head back. This is the head zenith angle. The head's face must always be perpendicular to the chassis. There is only one correct angle. Without the correct alignment tool it can be difficult to get this 90 deg. angle right. Pushing down makes the tape run higher up the head, where it probably should be. But it's not that simple. Tightening up that back screw a certain amount will fix the problem but may cause another. The tape pressure on the head may now become uneven. Either the audio or the control track signal may be compromised. Long term head wear also compromised. These are not toys.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtape

You are messing with things you probably dont understand.

For example, that's how you start fires. Ask me how I know.

Always remember:
- If something "nothing to lose", for learning, go for it.
- If this is a mission-critical piece of gear, do lots of reading, and consult with others, before attempting the DIY fix. And realize it may be some you have to pay others to fix (which even I do at times).

[hysteriah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mts1

Both OK for short term, occasional use. Not good for long term/regular use.

Exactly what do you consider short term and regular/long term use in this manner? I mean, nobody cleans their VCR's on a daily basis, not even weekly or monthly. Me myself, I probably clean it about yearly with the VCRs that I use most often. So if the rubber on the pinch roller can handle 10 times cleaning with alcohol, it will still last for 10 years. I don't mind replacing the pinch roller every 10th year when the rubber has dryed out and hardened anyway ;-) But thanks for letting us know your opinion about it :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtape

You are tilting the head back. This the head zenith angle. The head's face must always be perpendicular to the chassis. There is only one correct angle. Without the correct tool it can be difficult to get this 90 deg. angle right. VCRs are not toys. You are messing with things you probably dont understand.

This is the kind of reply that I appreciate A LOT and are very greatful for, thank you very much :-) You obviously knows what you are talking about and you give me valuable advices of what to do (or NOT to do) along the way. That's how I can learn and understand this better
I am perfectly aware of the fact that I am messing with things I don't understand, but with this particular VCR I feel that I've got not much to lose. It's pretty useless anyway, as long long as it's eating almost every tape I throw into it BTW, I haven't touched any of the 3 adjustment screws for tilting the head yet... I've only applied just a littlebit of preassure with my finger, so I don't think I've done much damage to it yet.
Do you agree with other suggestions here in this thread, that the problem most likely is with the capstan and pinch roller not hitting each other the correct way? Or do you have any other suggestion of what might be wrong?

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hysteriah

but with this particular VCR I feel that I've got not much to lose.

Only your time, spend for nothing. Maybe it would be better to spend it with beautiful girl, not that thing?
Anyway you can not repair it. And even if you (with axe and crowbar method) will get it to not skew tape (at least visible with bare eye) mechanics will be out of alignment completely anyway. How you imagine to calibrate it? Replace mechanics and remaining time spend with a girl

[hysteriah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

Only your time, spend for nothing. Maybe it would be better to spend it with beautiful girl, not that thing?
Anyway you can not repair it. And even if you (with axe and crowbar method) will get it to not skew tape (at least visible with bare eye) mechanics will be out of alignment completely anyway. How you imagine to calibrate it? Replace mechanics and remaining time spend with a girl

Well, I can't really come up with a better definition of "wasting time", than spending it with a girl... haha ...but thank you very much

[radiokom]

And if about pinch roller cleaning. In those days when studio tape recorders was used every day and pinch rollers cleaned with IPA few times every day they last about 3-5 years without problems. Then they was simply replaced. Now I send them to Gianni from Sofh.it to rerubber on original core (the best quality in the world, Terry Witt in US may be an option, but professionals send their rollers to Italy even from US). Of course, no one rerubber VCR rollers, they are available NOS if needed (but it does not mean they are all the same quality, if not original). So clean with IPA and sleep peacefully. But pinch roller is not your problem anyway.

[mts1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hysteriah

Exactly what do you consider short term and regular/long term use in this manner? I mean, nobody cleans their VCR's on a daily basis, not even weekly or monthly. Me myself, I probably clean it about yearly with the VCRs that I use most often. So if the rubber on the pinch roller can handle 10 times cleaning with alcohol, it will still last for 10 years. I don't mind replacing the pinch roller every 10th year when the rubber has dryed out and hardened anyway ;-) But thanks for letting us know your opinion about it :-)

Every time you use harsh chemicals on pinch roller it damages it. I don't see any reason why it has to be done that way. Easier? Maybe. Anyways, it is up to you.

[hysteriah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

And if about pinch roller cleaning. In those days when studio tape recorders was used every day and pinch rollers cleaned with IPA few times every day they last about 3-5 years without problems. Then they was simply replaced. Now I send them to Gianni from Sofh.it to rerubber on original core (the best quality in the world, Terry Witt in US may be an option, but professionals send their rollers to Italy even from US). Of course, no one rerubber VCR rollers, they are available NOS if needed (but it does not mean they are all the same quality, if not original). So clean with IPA and sleep peacefully. But pinch roller is not your problem anyway.

Yes, I've never experienced any problems by cleaning my pinch rollers with IPA. I've done it for many years, but just for home useage, not professional. I have a bunch of VCR's that I switch between so I clean them about once a year and I replace the Pinch rollers after about 10 to 15 years of usage.
Thank you very much for the tip of rerubberin at sofh.it. I didn't know about that. I usually just buy cheap pinch rollers from China, but I have noticed difference in quality so I've saved all the original Pinch rollers from JVC and Panasonic VCR's (see attached image). Next time I will probably try to get these originals rerubbered instead