Why do vcrs eat tapes
Replacing the belts and tires responsible for the take-up spool should cure the problem if the tape is not being wound up fast enough, but an adjustment of the tape track or loading mechanism might be necessary to cure wrinkled edges.
Phil Lytle :. The part is found under the tape loading cage between the two take up posts. If this is bad chances are that all the rubber belts are shot too. Replace those at the same time or pay later. Idler tire. See section on "General guide to VCR cleaning and rubber parts replacement". The idler tire transfers motor power to the appropriate reel hub. If dirty, worn, dried out, glazed, cracked, or otherwise deteriorated, it will slip and cause the takeup reel in play mode to stop turning at some point.
Hopefully, the microcomputer senses this and tries to wind the tape back into the cassette. But, you guessed it, this requires the idler tire so you end up with a mess of tape inside the machine. When you go to eject, you may get the cassette with a tape loop hanging out. If you are careful, you may be able to extract the tape without crinkling it too badly but don't just pull - it will break or be hopeless damaged.
You will need to remove the top cover and carefully lift the tape loop out of the machine and wind it back into the cassette.
If there is any significant crinkling or a partial break in the tape, discard the cassette. DO NOT try to use it or just return it to the video store without informing them of what happened - it is unfair the next renter as a badly crinkled or partially broken tape can destroy expensive video heads.
General Guide to VCR Cleaning and Rubber Parts Replacement: All the guideposts, wheels, and rubber parts of a VCR should be cleaned periodically - how often depends on usage.
Of course, no one really does it unless something goes wrong. Do not attempt to clean the video heads until you read the procedure below, you can break them - very expensive lesson. In most cases, they do not need attention anyhow. Avoid rubbing alcohol especially if it contains any additives can be used everywhere except the video heads. Just dry quickly to avoid leaving residue behind. Cleaning may get your machine going well enough to get by until any replacement rubber parts arrive.
Things to clean: 1. Capstan and pinch roller. These collect a lot of crud mostly oxide which flakes off of old rental tapes. Use as many Q-tips wet but not dripping with alcohol as necessary to remove all foreign matter from the capstan the shiny shaft that pulls the tape through the VCR for play and record. The tape is pulled across the heads using either a belt-, gear-, or direct-drive. Disassembly varies, but basic maintenance and repair procedures, such as cleaning, lubrication, and belt changing are about the same for most models.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean VCR heads? To clean a VCR head with alcohol, you will need some cotton swabs, paper towels and of course, alcohol. To clean it properly, dip the swab in alcohol and start cleaning the heads and rollers, then dry them with a paper towel. One of the best investments to help with video tape restoration are: A good, reliable VCR, a color correction unit, and a time-based corrector.
A wet head cleaner will clean better and is less abrasive to the heads of your VCR than a dry head cleaner when used properly. That said, why do VCRs sometimes eat tapes? The main part we will focus on is the idler tire within the VCR. The idler tire helps turn the takeup reel. If this is dirty, dusty, damaged or worn it can prevent the takeup wheel from turning. If there is an issue with the idler tire, it can cause the tape to pull out of the tape and unravel.
Eventually, it can ruin your memories entirely and you will not be able to relive those special moments. So, what can one do to prevent this from happening or save your memories if the tape does pull out from the cassette?
By digitizing your tapes , you will never have to tiptoe around playing your memories in a VCR. Your tapes will be digitized and preserved so you can rewatch them digitally again and again. Plus, you can share them with your family and friends at a click of a button!