Video Asylum

Posted by DET on August 31, 2000 at 19:02:01:

I searched the archives on this, but came up empty.

A buddy of mine has two JVC VCR's. While playing tapes, there will be a periodic problem that looks like a lack of tracking. It will then clear up.

One tape does it every 10 seconds. It is bad for 2 seconds, and then good for 8 seconds...

Another tape does it every 7 seconds, but not as extreme.

It does it with different TV's on different AC plugs.

Since it is so dry around here with the drought and Air conditioning, I was thinking it might be static electricity buildup. I rubbed a dryer sheet between the white reel of the vcr tape, and the case of the VCR tape. It got a little better, but is still a significant problem.

The small improvement could have been a coincidence. I am also considering that someone in the apartment building might have something that is messing up the AC power.

There is no problem when showing the VCR OSD, even when the tape is running.

Speaking of running, sorry if I ran on a bit.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

TIA

Doug