VCR problem

I have a VCR which the longer it plays, the louder a crackle gets. I will probably have to replace it with a VCR/DVD combo if I cannot sort the problem just to play/copy the wife's video collection. Does it sound fixable or just binnable? Cleaning the heads does not help.

Reply to
Jim S
Loading thread data ...

Get another one from your local tip...if you pay more than a fiver you've been ripped off. Make sure you get the remote control too. If you have the time you could hang around until you see someone dumping one, then ask if it works - but these days I find they nearly all do.

Regards,

Reply to
Stephen Howard

Probably not diy-fixable and not an economical repair. If you have a local FreeCycle group you can probably get a VCR for free if you place a wanted advert. Alternatively, VCRs are often advertised in local newspapers and on eBay for low prices. If you decide to buy a new or used VCR/DVD combo do some research into customers feedback for the various manufacturers because some models are s**te in terms of reliability. As for getting one from a council tip, it probably depends on where you live; the staff who work at my local tip don't allow anything to be taken away.

Reply to
DIY
8< If you decide to buy a new or used VCR/DVD combo do
8
Reply to
Jim S

In message , Jim S writes

I've heavily used a Daewoo VCR/DVD combo for the last two years checking through our large collection of VTs and transferring selected bits to DVDs. I've also used it to burn off quite a lot of stuff from Sky+. Apart from it being quite complicated to use (it's also got component & firewire inputs) it's performed faultlessly.

Reply to
Si

A VCR off EBay is your best bet as long as you set the distance to 10 miles from your postcode (and then sieve through the

Reply to
Stuart Noble

If I have to dump my VCR (which btw works fine for 1 hour recordings), then I will go for the combo rather than another of the same.

Reply to
Jim S

I'd avoid a combo. VCR's have a relatively short life due to lots of mechanical bits that can get worn or out of alignment. DVD and hard drive units should be more reliable so you could end up with a combo where the VCR has packed in while the DVD (or hard drive) is still OK.

VCRs and video tapes are likely to become increasingly more rare so I'd be inclined to go for a decent DVD/HDD unit, copy all the tapes that are still needed onto DVD, with your existing VCR if possible or buy a cheap VCR to get the job done.

Reply to
Mike Clarke

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.