Panasonic Video Player

[kahunabean]

I bought a Panasonic Video player/recorder maybe 5 years ago from a good local shop. For maybe 3 years it worked well then suddenly the output is just snow, but with sound. The store said it was due to dirty tapes (I have kids and so that is plausible). The usint was out of warranty so �70 bill. The problem came back after less than 1 year. I'm really poor at the moment and don't want to get it repaired again. But I'm not really convinced by the explanation. Can anyone shed any light ? I'm handy with a soldering iron/vodka soaked cotton bud if anyone can point me in the right direction. p.s. head cleaner makes no difference - promise !

[bluedolphin]

VTRs have dropped in price dramatically over the last five years. I am sure you can pick up a player made in chine/korea for a good price. Other formats are now beginning to emerge....Hard Disk Drives....Recordable DVD... both as separate units and with both in the same unit. So I think you would be better looking in the shops for a cheap one. Samsung, Funai etc. Good Luck.

[Dsg]

One of the cheapest around is a Bush VCR at Tescos. See http://www.tesco.com/electrical/Browse.asp?type=It
em&typeid=7572279

[smorodina]

Well, it does sound like a dirty head to me and if the clogging is bad tape cleaners often don't work. If you want to try cleaning it by hand - open up and you will see the head assembly, it looks like a spinning cylinder set at a slight angle. The actual heads are two small devices half way down the cylinder, one on each side. Using a piece of soft chamois soaked in isopropyl alcohol wipe the oxide off. It is imporant only to wipe in a horizontal direction to avoid damaging the heads. This is most easily done by holding the cloth still and moving the head unit to scrub the heads clean. They are delicate, but we have been known to resort to a stiff brush in extreme cases. Try not to let the kids play tapes hundreds of times as the oxide soon starts to wear off and clog the heads. Also make sure you put the tapes back in their box to avoid them picking up dirt, and if any thing gets spilt on one throw it away. Tapes are cheap, video heads are not.