recover VHS tape recorded with tracking error

[Anne Onime]

I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I am converting to MPEG.
They were recorded on a Grundig. I bought a used JVC, which
looked like a good model to me. There are four tapes which
would not playback correctly. These are ones that were
recorded on used tapes, that had been stopped and started
often. All the stuff recorded on new tapes is okay. Two of
them are breaking up, with band of noise at bottom. The
other two, the picture just drops out for about a second
at a time. I also have a Samsung VCR, with a sound problem.
I kept it just for rewinding. It also failed on the same 4
tapes. I found a discarded TEAC cheap plastic thing, that is
as light as a feather, and it actually played 1 of the
problem tapes (with noise at bottom). So I guess the
tracking fault was on the recording machine, when 3 other
players can't play them.
Is it possible to recover such tapes somehow?

[HerHusband]

Hi Anne,

Post by Anne Onime
I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I am converting to MPEG.
They were recorded on a Grundig. I bought a used JVC, which
looked like a good model to me. There are four tapes which
would not playback correctly. These are ones that were
recorded on used tapes, that had been stopped and started
often. All the stuff recorded on new tapes is okay. Two of
them are breaking up, with band of noise at bottom. The
other two, the picture just drops out for about a second
at a time. I also have a Samsung VCR, with a sound problem.
I kept it just for rewinding. It also failed on the same 4
tapes. I found a discarded TEAC cheap plastic thing, that is
as light as a feather, and it actually played 1 of the
problem tapes (with noise at bottom). So I guess the
tracking fault was on the recording machine, when 3 other
players can't play them.
Is it possible to recover such tapes somehow?

I haven't used a VCR in years, but most offered some way to manually adjust
the tracking, even if they had "auto" tracking. I think my old Mitsubishi
VCR's used the channel up/down to adjust tracking while playing a VHS tape.

If the tape was recorded on a machine that was misaligned, you may need to
take the tape to a professional service that can copy the tape for you:

http://www.imemories.com/home-movies-to-dvd/
http://www.dvdyourmemories.com/services/videotape-transfer/
https://archivalcompany.com/vhs-to-dvd.asp

Of course, it's possible the tapes themselves are just no good anymore.
Especially if they were tapes you had previously used over and over.

Good luck!

Anthony

[Orson Cart]

You could keep trying different VCRs. My parents had a problem tape
that would not playback on 2 devices. Then I found a Panasonic combo
VCR/DVD recorder that somebody tossed out in a verge pickup.
Amazingly, it played the problem tape with only the bottom 2%
distorted. Unfortunately, the reason it was thrown away is that
the sound is kaput.

Post by HerHusband
Hi Anne,

Post by Anne Onime
I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I am converting to MPEG.
They were recorded on a Grundig. I bought a used JVC, which
looked like a good model to me. There are four tapes which
would not playback correctly. These are ones that were
recorded on used tapes, that had been stopped and started
often. All the stuff recorded on new tapes is okay. Two of
them are breaking up, with band of noise at bottom. The
other two, the picture just drops out for about a second
at a time. I also have a Samsung VCR, with a sound problem.
I kept it just for rewinding. It also failed on the same 4
tapes. I found a discarded TEAC cheap plastic thing, that is
as light as a feather, and it actually played 1 of the
problem tapes (with noise at bottom). So I guess the
tracking fault was on the recording machine, when 3 other
players can't play them.
Is it possible to recover such tapes somehow?

I haven't used a VCR in years, but most offered some way to manually adjust
the tracking, even if they had "auto" tracking. I think my old Mitsubishi
VCR's used the channel up/down to adjust tracking while playing a VHS tape.
If the tape was recorded on a machine that was misaligned, you may need to
http://www.imemories.com/home-movies-to-dvd/
http://www.dvdyourmemories.com/services/videotape-transfer/
https://archivalcompany.com/vhs-to-dvd.asp
Of course, it's possible the tapes themselves are just no good anymore.
Especially if they were tapes you had previously used over and over.
Good luck!
Anthony

[Mark F]

On Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:54:04 +0200 (CEST), Anne Onime

Post by Anne Onime
I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I am converting to MPEG.
They were recorded on a Grundig. I bought a used JVC, which
looked like a good model to me. There are four tapes which
would not playback correctly. These are ones that were
recorded on used tapes, that had been stopped and started
often. All the stuff recorded on new tapes is okay. Two of
them are breaking up, with band of noise at bottom.

Often this is due to physical damage on the tape, often
visible to the eye. Make the best copy you can, then stop
the tape and remove the cartridge when you get to a bad spot.
Open the flip-up cover that protects the tape and look at
the tape to see if any damage is visible. I don't know of a way to
fix the damage if you see any, but at least you'll know what the
problem is. (No tools are involved in opening the flip-up cover; if
you need instructions in how to open the cover you shouldn't open
the cover.)

Post by Anne Onime
The
other two, the picture just drops out for about a second
at a time.

Again, this sounds like physical damage to the tape rather than
a tracking error. Perhaps cleaning the VCR will help.

Post by Anne Onime
I also have a Samsung VCR, with a sound problem.
I kept it just for rewinding. It also failed on the same 4
tapes. I found a discarded TEAC cheap plastic thing, that is
as light as a feather, and it actually played 1 of the
problem tapes (with noise at bottom). So I guess the
tracking fault was on the recording machine, when 3 other
players can't play them.
Is it possible to recover such tapes somehow?

[david gourley]

Post by Anne Onime
I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I am converting to MPEG.
They were recorded on a Grundig. I bought a used JVC, which
looked like a good model to me. There are four tapes which
would not playback correctly. These are ones that were
recorded on used tapes, that had been stopped and started
often. All the stuff recorded on new tapes is okay. Two of
them are breaking up, with band of noise at bottom. The
other two, the picture just drops out for about a second
at a time. I also have a Samsung VCR, with a sound problem.
I kept it just for rewinding. It also failed on the same 4
tapes. I found a discarded TEAC cheap plastic thing, that is
as light as a feather, and it actually played 1 of the
problem tapes (with noise at bottom). So I guess the
tracking fault was on the recording machine, when 3 other
players can't play them.
Is it possible to recover such tapes somehow?

You may be able to if you can adjust the azimuth of the tape head as a last
resort.

david