JVC HR-S6851 blue playback after old tape?
 

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on a VHS playback issue that appeared after playing an old tape and now affects all other tapes.

Setup: JVC HR-S6851EU + Capture card (via S-Video) + OBS

Timeline / symptoms:
- Successfully digitized around 10 tapes with perfect quality and stable color
- Inserted another tape -> VCR shuts down 3-5s after playback attempt
- Tried again -> Picture turned all blue (see attachment)
- Same blue image appeared on ALL tapes, including those that were previously fine
- Cleaned video heads using paper + alcohol -> Picture returned to normal
- Digitized another 2–3 tapes successfully

Then again:
- Inserted another old tape, VCR shuts down (did not hear the normal rewind sound before)
- Tried to rewind/move the tape manually which worked and inserted it again
- Playback started good but after rewind blue color returned again (again on all tapes)
- Cleaned again -> heads and full path

- This time, cleaning did NOT restore color
- Paper comes out clean, but picture remains blue on all tapes


Does this sound like dirty heads or head/vcr damage?
Is there a point in cleaning 3rd time again?


Thanks for any help.