Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - mitsubishi vcr

We have about a 6yr old HSU-560 vcr (pretty sure of model) About 2 yrs ago the video head was damaged by mislabelled chemicals used for cleaning - hydrogen peroxide was used instead of alcohol. As we can't find good comparable vcr we had this one fixed - new head direct from Mitsibushi. But ever since then it seems to need professional cleaing almost monthly or more (picture gets more and more interference) and the sound quality is degrading - clear but low level. Otherwise it still functions great.
It is used about 2-3 hrs a day for kids videos, but before problem 6months to 1yr between cleanings was the norm. Any help on correcting this?

Big Mike will most likely have the answer. In the meantime, maybe this will help:

http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_vcrfaq.html


Smokey ;)

Most likely the tapes you are using are just getting old and oxidizing. Common problem with magnetic tape. It is possible the heads are out of physical alignment but that would show up in playback quality and having to adjust the tracking to the extreme to compensate for the misalignment. A quick search turned up the following link. I worked for a pawn shop for a bit repairing their VCR’s and such and they had a cleaner similar to these at this link. After a few plays or upon a customer complaint we would run the tape through this cleaner. Worked wonders! Especially if you’re using rental tape. Who knows when the last time was that the tape deck from a rental customer was cleaned? http://www.datalinksales.com/tape_cleaners_testers/home.htm
Other than that I cannot think of a good reason why the deck is acting up like this EXCEPT that you are using a dry video cleaning tape and THAT has damaged the heads. I love those cheap cleaners from Wally world! Made me a fortune in video head replacements! Look for a cleaning tape called “Black Watch” this is the only cleaning tape recommended for common use. The real problem with the dry type cleaners or even wet ones (Black Watch are dry tapes but especially designed) is people do not follow the destructions. They seem to think if 15 seconds works then 30 seconds will work better. Heat builds up, scratches the glass cover over the video pickups and causes all kinds of problems.

I think what Big Mike was writing about is found at:

http://www.iwaynet.net/~thom001/tape1.html

Smokey ;)