If you can clean the VCR tape head and it doesn't look shiny (and I mean mirror like shiny) then it probably needs to be replaced. However, the tape head costs > 50% of the price of a new VCR so I'm not sure that I could recommend it. I have a VCR that I have replaced the tape head on 2-3 times and now there are other things wrong with it. The tape head and any belts it may have or other rubber parts need ot be replaced periodically as they are all wearing parts and generally it is not economical to do this even if you can do it yourself.

Most folks around here know that I tape a lot of stuff (only for time-shifting, and rarely for archiving - I did tape the Buffy Musical episode at SP speed and have it saved somewhere because I knew it would be chopped up in later showings until the DVD comes out).

I had a Panasonic VCR last 5 years before the heads went out on it last year. I taped in EP mode exclusively, and usually used T-160 tapes to get the 8 hours of record time. I also still have a Magnavox VCR that's going on 4 years now, with the same tape usage/record patterns. I also have a cheapo Sanyo that I bought 6 years ago that still works (but it only tapes 3 hours/week at the most).

(I usually get 2 different VCR brands to get different remote codes, else having 2 of the same VCR brands would not work well using the remotes).

This year, I'm using two T-160 tapes for each VCR just so I lessen the wear on each VCR's tape, and to time-shift a bit more leisurely.

VCRs are so cheap nowaday, I have no qualms about throwing one away once it dies and buying another one. VCR technology is rather mature (in that the price/performance ratio is way down, which is a good thing). Even Sony VCRs are inexpensive, but the one time I tried a Sony, it refused to track some of my old tapes, (it kept blinking blue screen when the tracking failed), so I gave up on Sony VCRs at that time.

I'm with huzefa on this one... why don't you get a Tivo or ReplayTV? It isn't a perfect solution (since you apparently won't be able to dial-in for the nightly schedule updates in Canada), but I don't see how it is any worse that recording on a VCR.

Just set it up (you may have to make 1 call to the U.S. for 15 minutes or so for this, not sure)... and then unplug it from the phone line.

It won't have a schedule -- so you won't be able to tell it to record every episode of Friends. But you will be able to tell it to record Channel 4, every Thursday from 8-8:30. That isn't any more difficult than using your VCR, and you get the advantage of the storage and access of the PVR. Seems like a better solution than spending $100/year on disposable VCRs and lord knows how much on tapes...


I suppose I'm a bit biased though. I've been using a ReplayTV for a couple of years now and I can't even imagine going back to a VCR.

my vcr ate one of my sex in the city tapes last night,any solutions how I can get it out or is it time to cut it and put it in the garbage?thanks.

How bad is it? If it's just stuck, try unplugging the vcr, wait a minute, and plug it back in. Then launch the vcr.

I'm with bboisvert (and others) about going the PVR route. If you can program one of those things like a vcr, why go through all the trouble?

.... checking the tracking and cleaning the heads were steps one and two.....

.....nope never record in EP mode....can't record as many shows if you do....

...it don't matter how many shows you can record, if you can't play them back...