"So, my VCR's out...." Topic

…and yeah, I know. 21st Century and all that, but I'm poor, and I spend my money on the non-essentials, like food, gas for the car, etc.

Anyway, my VCR's got my tape stuck in it. I don't believe the recorder ate the tape, but the machine has a tendency to simply shut off. I'll turn it back on and try to fast forward it, rewind it, play it….but nothing happens, other than it switching off.

So, what's going on here, fellas (and any ladies that are so mechanically inclined)? Thanks!

Take the cover off.
You should be able to get the tape out.

Then clean it.
Then get a VHS head cleaning tape with some sort of cleaning fluid (probably online is the only option).

Usually tapes would stick in there after the heads were sufficiently dirty or magnetized by so much use.

OR….

If it is purely mechnical, look to see if you can remove the DOOR piece that opens when you eject the tape.
Perhaps you can make it manually eject-able. (if you catch my drift).

Tape players are remarkably robust if you do a little maintenance occasionally.

As Dremel Man says – unplug it, then open it up. And marvel at all the empty space inside.

You should be able to get the tape out with a bit of prodding.

Get another VHS player for around $2 USD at the neighborhood flea market. I would give you mine but it's so heavy shipping would be about $25 USD and you can get a new DVD for that much.

I had a zillon VHS and was planning on skipping DVD for Blue Ray. Then a friend of mine gave me a DVD player for Christmas a few years ago and a couple DVDs and suddenly I have a zillon DVDs. So now my plan is to skip Blue Ray and go with the next format.

What is the next format I should watch for?

I really liked my RCA LaserDisc player.

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com