The mechanism has a pin that detects the presence of a S-VHS cassette by sensing a depression in the bottom back corner of a cassette on the near left corner as you look at the bottom of the cassette with the spine label facing you. This pin controls a switch that informs the VCR controls that a S-VHS cassette is inserted in the machine. Something may be interfering with proper operation of this switch - or perhaps the sensing pin has broken off.

At one time some folks would try to "promote" a standard VHS tape to S-VHS by using a soldering iron to melt a hole in the cassette at this location. But the problem is that the tape in the cassette may not have met the magnetic requirements for S-VHS recording.

That pin is intact.

Also, I tried recording something just for the heck of it. What I recorded still won't play back on the AG1980, but it does in another VCR. No idea if that means anything either. I think I'm just going to pack it up and take it to the repair shop in my neighborhood and see if they know anything.

Did you try record both SP and SLP/EP speed?

Yes, both speeds work.

And I am still getting that error message from before. I guess I just wasn't leaving a tape long enough on play to find out. The counter will go to "0 03 11" and then back to the counter again. I'm beginning to just think I have a dud that I've wasted nearly $300 on.

Since this thread has veered off topic, I switched back to the other one. Moderators, feel free to delete or lock it.