From: dnadams@nyx.cs.du.edu (Dean Adams)
Subject: Re: Re: VCR Maintenance Advice Wanted. Head Cleaners Any Good?
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 11:29:48 GMT

steed@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Gary Steed) writes:
 >First I'd like to say that I agree with most of this discussion.
 >Especially about not using an un-covered cotton swab on the video head.

That's for sure.  NO cotton swab of any kind should ever be near the heads.
I have always used chamois sticks, and they seem to a very good job.
Also *alcohol* can be bad news as well.  Using one of the zero-residue 
spray cleaners available is by far the best. 

 >gkwan@balboa.eng.uci.edu (Greg Kwan) writes;
 >>Finally, do you have a separate rewinder? Rewinding/fast-forwarding 
 >>takes a lot out of the VCR and should be minimized.

 >THIS IS NOT A FLAME, Just an inquiry. 
GOOD, since he is 100% correct!  Anyone "flaming" such a post
would have to be *seriously* uninformed on this subject.

 >Is this really true?  
ABSOLUTELY!

 >I've heard this many times but I haven't heard of a good explanation 
 >on why it so bad. In REWIND/FAST-FORWARD  mode the motor is running 
 >wide open 
Exactly.  Which is part of the problem.

 >with only the drag from the tape itself for 2 to 3 minutes

The "drag" from the tape is not exactly trivial during FF/RW, and the fact 
that the motor and mechanism is going "wide open" for a long period of time
is also where a lot of the problem comes in.

 >PLAY mode where the motor is running with lottsa drag from the capstan 
 >holding back the take-up reel for up to two hours. 

The tape is being fed out from the source reel.  The takeup reel is mainly
just keeping the tension up.  Not much "drag" is involved, certainly a lot
less than during FF/RW.  Also everything is operating at a MUCH slower rate.

 >In most VCR's that I've seen there is no contact with the heads during 
 >REWIND/FAST-FORWARD, so there's no head wear. 

"head wear" has NOTHING to do with this particular issue.  You can have
perfect video heads, but if the motor and tape drive mechanism is worn
out then you are not going to get anywhere.

 >From this it seems that the REWIND/FAST-FORWARD function would
 >be alot easier on the VCR that PLAYing tapes. 

Like I said, the *heads* are not the end-all of what makes a VCR work.
I currently have five VCRs.  Three of those have received *extensive*
daily use over a period of years.  TWO of them developed the very problem
that an external rewinder will help to avoid.  The first symptom is usually
a gradual slowing of the FF/RW speed, and it will seem that it is getting
harder and harder for the VCR to accomplish this seemingly simple task.
Eventually it reaches a point where most of the time it CAN'T rewind any
longer.  Then you can have problems such as the tape not being rewound
into the cassette after playing, and various other complications.

In both of my cases the problem was with the idler mechanism, which just
happens to exactly be the means used to turn the tape hub during FF/RW.
After a lot of fast-forward and rewinding the idler tire can lose traction
and no longer be able to drive the hub.  There are is spring-tension used
to keep the opposite end of the idler wheel against the motor drive. Both of
these are subject to wearing out, and FF/RW puts by far the most wear on them.
Another area of wear on a VCR are the BELTS. After a lot of use they can also
lose traction, tension, or simply break...

Correcting these problems is actually not that difficult. Most of the time
simply replacing the idler tire will totally revitalize a VCR that was
formerly incapable of rewinding and notorious for eating tapes. Replacing
the entire idler mechanism is even easier.  Many good electronics catalogs
will carry replacement parts for most VCRs.  A new idler could be had for
as little as $5, although I would expect a repair shop would probably charge
at least $100 to correct the same problem.  Complete belt kits for VCRs can 
also be ordered for only a few dollars.  In an electronics store you can
usually expect to pay as much as $5 for ONE belt however.  It is best to
order these parts in advance...

 >This is why I haven't bought a rewinder. 
If you use your VCR more than once a week or so, 
then you are probably making a big mistake...

 >Although one could be handy if you want to start watching the 
 >next movie without waiting for the other one to rewind. 

That is just a side benefit.  One VERY simple piece of math is *WHY* use
a $300-500+ VCR as a tape rewinder, when a $15-20 unit will do the job?

 >For me I need that time to go to the bathroom anyway. ;')

You'll have plenty of time to go when your VCR breaks down!  :->

-{ Dean Adams }-

Newsgroups: rec.video