What to watch for when unboxing a JVC HR-S9911U?
 

10 years ago I bought a JVC HR-S9911U with the intention of digitizing our VHS tapes but my house burned down between when I ordered it and received it. So I've had this thing in storage for all this time but lost the tapes I wanted to convert in the fire. Recently some family members asked me to digitize some of their home movies. Is there anything I should watch for after having this thing in storage for so long.

Maybe, maybe not.

Dust is a problem, if not sealed in box.

It probably needs a good proper cleaning. (NO Q-TIPS!)

Over time, all VCRs succumb to gravity, go out of alignment. The biggest tell is when tracking fails to work well.

If this was stored in a garage, attic, outdoor storage unit, the boards may have gotten screwed up from heat. Once the VCR mainboards go, it's a parts deck only.

If you're a smoker, the VCR is probably completely screwed, tar adheres to everything, heads are destroyed.

Whatever you do, don't stick a valuable family tape in that VCR first, maybe not even tenth. Test it thoroughly with non-important tapes.

It was always indoors and we don't smoke so I'll look up up how to clean it and go from there, My biggest worry is we've moved a couple times since so I'm hoping it hasn't been bumped to much.

Thx for the input

You can always test the threading mechanism manually (with the vcr switched off) without risking any tape or most importantly... without risking to damage or even break any gear.

Opened it up yesterday, hardly any dust, lightly wiped everything with a dry microfiber. Tried it with an old tape and everything went well.