Sony VHS vcr picture distortion

[Tony Cianfaglione]

My Sony VHS vcr picture is distorted. All vertical lines are wavy an
there is a shrill squawking sound as the tape plays. All my tapes are
suddenly making this sound so I know it's the machine.

Another older Sony I had made a similar noise and a bit of oil on the two
reels seem to quiet it. That trick didn't work for this one. It played
fine until just the other day when it suddenly displayed the severe
vertical wavy effect and sound.

Thanks...

 

[Ray L. Volts]

First, try cleaning the video drum. Dirty heads usually show snow in the
picture, but can sometimes cause other strange visuals, too. Dirty
heads/drum can also cause squeal, as the caked up oxides fill the air
cushion space that normally exists between the heads/drum and the tape.

If that doesn't fix it and squeal is heard only when in play mode, the
tension arm/band could be too tight, forcing the tape against the drum too
hard.

 

[Tony Cianfaglione]

Thanks. I'll take it apart this weekend and give it a good cleaning.

------------------------

 

[mo]

If that doesn't fix it and squeal is heard only when in play mode, the
tension arm/band could be too tight, forcing the tape against the drum too
hard.

Sometimes the felt slips away from the actual band and the tacky glue
on the band makes intermittent contact on the spool.Open up unit and
watch the tension arm if its vibrating wildly.If so replace tension
band.