Forum Discussion

mikestock's avatar
mikestock
Explorer
Mar 20, 2020

What can I do to revive an old VHS recorder/player

Since I, like many, have quarantined myself with my wife at home I decided to finally start converting my VHS to DVD's. Since I had been planning for this for some time I had acquired a DVD recorder but never followed through. The recorder is equipped with a digital O-T-A receiver. For some reason, transfer by RF coax was the only way I could make it transfer. I couldn't get the A/V cables to work.

Most all of my keepsake tapes are of vacations, camping and grandkids, on VHS-C tapes. After reviving my old adapter and figuring out how to mesh analog with digital videos I have begun the process.

My one saved VHS format player is now working, but most images are shaky. I took the cover off and used contact cleaner to clean the insides up as much as possible. That didn't help much. Does anyone know what I could do to improve the output images from the old VCR?

What I'm getting now may be the best I can do.
  • mikestock's avatar
    mikestock
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2020
    wa8yxm wrote:
    Other than general cleaning and replacement of belts and possibly capacitors in the power supply. I can only make two comments.

    ONE: There is a service that will convert VHS to DVD/Cloud/MP4 for you for what they claim is a reasonable fee (never used 'em)

    Second: is why "It only works via RF".. There is an anti-copy code on the tape if you try to copy it without a code breaker the DVD recorder will refuse.

    I don't do a lot of video work
    But I used to do audio by the ton. Same issue with digital transfers of audio. Analog did not have that issue.


    I don't understand the RF deal either. When I go from the DVR out to the DVD in A/V ports, nothing comes through. The DVD has 3 input settings plus scanned channels available for input. I would have thought the input for A/V from a video camera would have worked the same as from a DVR, but no go. I finally scanned the DVD off-air channels and found the channel 3 analog channel or otherwise, there seemed to be no way to get connected.

    I am only copying homemade videos.

    The most time-consuming part is that I have to personally watch everything I'm copying to keep from copying long periods of blank video after the useful part ends. As you know, once you fill a DVD with blank space you can't overwrite it
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 21, 2020
    Other than general cleaning and replacement of belts and possibly capacitors in the power supply. I can only make two comments.

    ONE: There is a service that will convert VHS to DVD/Cloud/MP4 for you for what they claim is a reasonable fee (never used 'em)

    Second: is why "It only works via RF".. There is an anti-copy code on the tape if you try to copy it without a code breaker the DVD recorder will refuse.

    I don't do a lot of video work
    But I used to do audio by the ton.. Same issue with digital transfers of audio. Analog did not have that issue.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Mar 21, 2020
    A little Gimrick
    Called a video stabilizer, will help clean up the vhs output
    And i would replace the drive belt/belts first

    Stabilizer some can be had for $30 , easy to use
  • Acampingwewillg's avatar
    Acampingwewillg
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2020
    I had somewhat of a dilemma a few months ago....you know how you can always get great deals on VHS tapes at Thrift Stores...well I found myself always picking up a few. I then realized that my VCR no longer functioned. For 5 bucks, I picked up a combo VCR/DVD player at another Thrift store and it works great.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2020
    Can you imagine your grandkids digging up those old VCR tapes in 30 years? LOL
  • Gonzo42's avatar
    Gonzo42
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2020
    Many times mine have been resustitated by replacing the drive belts which not only wear out, but just go bad from age.

    Alternatively, my local Costco has converted film to DVD for me. You might consider that.
  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2020
    I agree.
    Your memories are to precious to chance.
    Let the pros do it.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2020
    I know you are trying to do this yourself, and it's a great project. But, if it doesn't seem to be working there is a company that specializes in this. Legacy Box
    Never used it myself, we still have boxes of old tapes, but we have looked at this outfit.

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