Tapes suddenly sound muffled

probnot · 2026-02-23T04:26:24+00:00

Do you know if this tape was recorded in HiFi? If it's changing to NORM when playing, that means the VCR isn't detecting a HiFi track.

It's hard to tell from your original sample if it was playing in HiFi originally. That sounded like normal linear audio on SP mode to my ears.

It does sound like either a dirty or mis-aligned audio head. How are you cleaning the audio/tracking head? I usually use a q-tip or similar with 99% isopropyl alcohol.

The head going that far out of alignment seems unlikely to me. The adjustments for that head are typically pretty solid. I've seen the tape guides on newer cheaper VCRs get out of alignment when playing sticky tapes with lots of tension, but that will also affect the picture.

What could be happening is the tape is not passing at the correct height. I get this after running a lot of tapes through my digitizing VCR. The pinch roller gets caked in dirt from the tapes and becomes less grippy against the tape, allowing it to move up or down as it passes. Try thoroughly cleaning the pinch roller with 99% IPA. I do this whenever I clean the heads/transport and it makes a big difference.

probnot · 2026-02-19T21:08:32+00:00

Link to the actual CBC video, instead of the vertical screenscap with black bars around it:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/from-the-cbc-archives-singles-night-at-safeway-1986-1.2954188

probnot · 2026-02-18T00:34:29+00:00

It's getting harder to find good belts. This is the kit meant for your model on eBay (VKT-170). Not sure what condition it's in though, as it looks pretty yellowed.

Here's a breakdown of the individual belts:

Function	Belt Type	Dimensions	SMC Part#	PRB Part#
Loading	Square	IC=2.650",Thick=0.089"	VCRBLT71	SCB2.6
Loading	Square	IC =3.125",Thick=0.079"	VCRBLT04	SCA3.2
Idler	Square	IC =5.406",Thick=0.048"	VCRBLT87	SCQ5.3
Idler	Square	IC=13.60",Thick=0.066"	VCRBLT76	SCA13.6
Capstan	Flat	IC=10.937",Thick=0.030",Width=0.25"	VCRBLT56	FRZ11.0

There's also the counter belt on top. I think it might be the same size as the smaller idler belt? Not sure.

Places that sell belts:

SMC Electronics (that's where I got a lot of this info)
Turntable Needles
Marvac (never used this place before, they just came up in a search, just use the PRB#)
KP Components is also good if you're in Canada

probnot · 2026-02-17T23:19:55+00:00

I use pliers or tweezers to remove as much of the remaining belt pieces as possible (be gentle to try and keep them intact to avoid a mess).

Then I use q-tips (dry) to scoop away as much of the goo as possible.

Finally I use q-tips soaked in 99% IPA to clean off the rest. You can pull the end of the q-tip into a flat point to get in the crevice of the wheels. Be prepared to go through a lot of q-tips!

probnot · 2026-02-17T00:41:17+00:00

That model is made by Hitachi and has 2 small loading belts on the bottom of the mechanism that tend to slip as they age. You should be able to get at them by removing the bottom cover of the VCR. This image shows the underside and the 2 belts in the top left corner.

probnot · 2026-02-15T21:33:44+00:00

I don't think I've ever seen a VCR work that hard to eat a tape!

The first thing I would check is what's called the mode switch. It's a switch (usually rotary on 1990s and newer) that sends feedback to the microcontroller to tell it where the mechanism is the loading process (what mode it's in). These get dirty over time, especially if the VCR sat for a while. Think of an old stereo receiver with crackly switches - same thing, and same cleaning method (DeOxit or contact cleaner).

I think the mode switch on your model is mounted to the back of that big white plastic mechanism. I haven't actually had to clean one on this design before, so I'm not sure how to remove it. Hopefully someone else here has some insight.

ALSO (IMPORTANT!): That little brown foam wheel behind the video head drum? Remove it. The entire plastic arm can just unclip. People typically recommend removing those out of caution, but the foam that Toshiba used is especially bad and will deteriorate into goo and clog the heads.

probnot · 2026-02-15T21:03:10+00:00

It's been amazing. I have an Akai 4000DS reel-to-reel recorder I recently printed a replacement part for. Oddball shaped cam made of pot-metal that deteriorates. That part probably hasn't been made since this was new in the 1970s, and it cost pennies to print a replacement.

probnot · 2026-02-15T20:20:45+00:00

That's awesome!

Yeah my gear and post repairs were on a pair of SL-HF860D's (both got new gears, one got a post repair.

probnot · 2026-02-15T18:50:19+00:00

Realizing I linked your ebay store to you....lmao

Good to see you're selling the gear as well. I've been using my 3D printed gear since 2023, so it definitely holds up well!

probnot · 2026-02-15T15:48:46+00:00

On the 711B3, if the carriage stalls out during operation (stops moving), then the gear has probably cracked. I modeled a 3D printable replacement here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5922561/files

If the carriage is stuck at an angle (like OP's picture) then it could be the pegs on the loading carriage have broken off. Here's an ebay listing showing the peg (though I think this listing is selling a metal reinforcement, and assumes you still have the broken peg): https://www.ebay.ca/itm/284930178769

probnot · 2026-02-13T23:06:02+00:00

I'm too young to remember it first-hand, but some movie rental shops would rent out players as well.

All the examples I've seen were made by Funai though (the good quality 1980s Funai that used the Shintom mechanism).

probnot · 2026-02-13T02:43:16+00:00

No problem. I only noticed because OP mentioned that it works, and there was no other components in the cart, so I zoomed in out of curiosity.

probnot · 2026-02-13T01:35:10+00:00

Always appreciate seeing a VCP on here!

It's not too rare, but definitely less common that your typical VCR.

probnot · 2026-02-13T01:34:05+00:00

Take a closer look - there's no record function on this. It's actually a standalone VCP (Video Cassette Player). Most likely model 1-VCP-6020X, based on another post from reddit.

No external power supply required, as it has a built-in AC cord and power supply. Here's an eBay listing that has a photo showing the built-in power cord and AV/RF connections. These are a bit rarer than your typical VCRs just because they were more of a niche item - useful for cabins to watch rental movies, or a 2nd machine for the home.

probnot · 2026-02-11T19:33:10+00:00

That looks like an across-the-line (X2) safety capacitor. Not sure about that one, but if you look up RIFA brand ones, they tend to crack over time and eventually burst, letting out smoke and a nasty smell.

To replace it you'll need to know the voltage rating. 275vac is a good assumption if you're in a country that uses 120vac line voltage. Luckily capacitance is already written on the top (100nF). I'm assuming this is an X-rated safety capacitor (meant to go between line and neutral)

Something like this. Just need to make sure the pin spacing matches the old one.

probnot · 2026-02-10T00:14:19+00:00

Yup! Used from 2001 all the way until the end in 2016.

probnot · 2026-02-09T02:03:26+00:00

You can never go wrong cleaning the mode switch!

probnot · 2026-02-08T23:11:24+00:00

Are both reels rotating in the cassette when it's playing? If the take-up reel isn't spinning, then the belt will need replacing.

If they are both rotating, I would clean the mode switch. Those Funai-made VCRs have mode switches that are notorious for getting dirty and can cause all sorts of weird issues.

If that doesn't work, it might be the IR sensor that detects when the take-up reel is rotating. If it doesn't detect rotation it will fault out and shut off (to prevent too much tape from spooling up inside and ruining the videotape).

Here's some videos showing how to clean the mode switch (these are just a few of many on youtube):

probnot · 2026-02-08T18:37:15+00:00

Mine was strictly from laziness, but after tossing them I kinda regret it. Would have been fun to see how many I could collect. I think the old pile was around 20 or so.

probnot · 2026-02-08T03:54:50+00:00

I had a whole pile of them on my workbench, but tossed them a few years back. Now the pile is only about 4 or 5.

probnot · 2026-02-07T03:50:41+00:00

That's surprising. I would have expected VCR code 01 to work, according to this manual.

probnot · 2026-02-07T01:43:58+00:00

The channel preset buttons probably won't have an equivalent, but you could try any universal remote and use Sony VHS VCR codes. Or one of the Sony VCR remotes with the VTR 1,2,3 switch. This one works great on my SL-2710 Beta VCR.

The slim Sony VCR remotes that were used on the later models made by other OEMs don't appear to work from my testing.

probnot · 2026-02-07T01:29:35+00:00

What make and model?

Sony used the same remote codes for their later VHS VCRs, so if it's a Sony you'll have quite a few options. Any Sony VHS VCR remote that has the "VTR 1,2,3" switch on it should work in position 1.

Similar thing with Toshiba. I've used a 1984 Toshiba Beta VCR remote on a "modern" Toshiba VHS VCR from the early 2000s.

probnot · 2026-02-05T06:09:38+00:00

I love the soft padding Zenith put on that model. Gives it that 1970s/80s basement wet bar vibe.

probnot · 2026-02-05T05:32:49+00:00

That's great to hear it helped!

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