Head Cleaning Cartridges:

Head cleaners can be bad for your VCR's health. If you use a head cleaning tape you can damage the video head assembly, which is the most expensive part of your VCR. The VHS system uses a video head drum assembly, which rotates at approximately 1800 rpm. The actual video heads, which are attached to the side of the drum, are extremely small and fragile. (See Picture)

Whenever you run a head cleaning cartridge through your machine, you are certainly tempting fate. For preventive maintenance we suggest that once every few months, you insert a blank tape in your machine. Each time that you insert the blank tape, have the machine play in fast search mode for about 5 minutes, and then stop and remove the tape but do not rewind it. As you continue this process each couple of months, the tape will eventually come to the end and when it does, then start the process over again with a new blank tape. The reason for this is that any small head contaminants might be picked up by the blank videotape and can be removed from the machine. The old tape should then be run through a tape cleaner or discarded. If the tape is rewound and used again, contaminants could be transferred back to the VCR. For proper preventive maintenance we recommend that you take your VCR to a repair shop and have it completely cleaned, lubricated, and demagnetized at least once every other year.

Rented Tapes:

When playing rental tapes, we suggest that you fast forward slightly before starting the movie. Defective rental tapes tend to be damaged or dirty, mainly in the beginning section of the tape. Always check a tape cartridge for any obvious damage before inserting it into your machine. Even though your unit may now be in excellent condition, if a bad tape finds its way into your VCR, it could cause damage to your machine.

Making Your Own Recordings:

Whenever you buy blank videotapes to make your own recordings, always choose good quality tapes. Name brand videotapes are manufactured to exacting standards. Generic videotapes might have a substandard cartridge, which could cause damage to your VCR. They also may use poor quality tape, which may necessitate the need for more frequent cleaning of your machine.

If Your VCR Goes On The Blink:

The most common problem of a malfunctioning VCR is that there is sound, but no picture. Usually this is due to a contaminated video head, which is especially caused by playing a rental tape, which has been previously abused. If this is the case with your VCR, it will need a professional maintenance. Although prices vary by region, the typical cost for a professional cleaning and tune-up should be under $30.

Should You Throw Your Old VCR Away, Or Have It Repaired:

Yes old sayings are sometimes true, "You Get What You Pay For" is right on the mark when it comes to VCR reliability . Most of the low priced electronic items, which are now flooding the market, are manufactured under less than ideal conditions. The quality has been considerably reduced in the mechanical deck sections of the low priced models. When a VCR fails to function properly, the mechanical is usually the problem area. Older VCR mechanisms tend to be more reliable, and even after a major repair they should outlast the new substandard models now flooding the market.  Don't try to rely on brand name recognition to ensure high quality, since almost all lower end VCRs are actually produced by the same company with only slight changes made from brand to brand.  Most of us in the trade, believe that you will be happier in the long run with your repaired VCR or a low cost refurbished high quality machine.