RCA dvd-vrc combo model DRC8320N

The VCR has at least four "heads" two are for 2 hr and two for 6 hour (sp and slp)

It is most likely one of the heads used in the SLP mode is slightly blocked with tape debris--heads need to be manually cleaned in the right way.

If I remember correctly, VCR players had three speed settings. SP-short play, LP-Long play, and SLP- Super long play. The vcr is supposed to be able to tell what speed the tape was recorded at, thus playing it back at the correct speed. If your unit has lost the ability to sense the speed the tape was recorded then you will have to set the speed manually, if possible. Other than that I would have to say it's time to get a new vcr.

Use the remote to get into the setup menus. There may be an option to change tape speed when recording. Alternatively, when you press record on the remote (or deck), you may have option to change the tape speed there.

The VCR part of your deck may be able to playback, but not record in SLP mode.

Searched around for the manual for your machine, and though there are references to it, it appears that a manual / information page doesn't exist for the model # that you listed.

On this combo, the vcr can play SLP, LP and SP but can only record SLP(6h) or SP(2h).

For anyone who has an RCA DRC 8335 with dvd Recorder, here is a suggestion.
If your tapes have been recorded in SLP Mode, om another player, I can tell you they will NOT play on this thing!!
So, merely take another VCR, and a blank tape, Place the blank tape into the RCA DRC 8335 VCR side, and then, go to its Set-Up Menu, and go to OUTPUT. On the "ACTION BAR"Change the the RCA's output to "FRONT" and then, play the VCRr you stuck on top of the RCA!!
When the inage on the "Source tape is shown,
Record onto the RCA, in SLP Mode, Now, it will play, just fine.
Hope this helps. Jon (Found BY Accident!!)

Yes. SP is "Standard Play" and LP is "Long Play", while EP/SLP are short for Extended Play/Super Long Play respectively.

Dont use xp mode. Here are the definitions:
SP is short for Standard Play. Standard play allows you to record information onto the tape the way it was intended, with no quality loss. By default, VCRs and camcorders will record your footage as standard play. On a standard VHS tape, recording footage in SP mode will yield 2 hours of video.
LP is short for Long Play. Long play allows you to record much more information at the expense of quality. It accomplishes this by reducing the speed the tape is run through the VCR. As the tape speed decreases, the quality will also decrease. You’ll notice this effect when comparing a tape recorded at LP versus one recorded at SP, especially after years of storage. The LP tape will appear more blurred, have more tracking and color issues than tapes recorded at SP. A VHS tape recorded at LP can hold roughly 4 hours of video.
EP/SLP is short for extended play. Extended play is similar to LP, but actually provides you even more recording time. EP was primarily used to document long, continuous events without the need to change video tapes every 2 hours. Due to the fact that the video is not of optimal quality, many times this setting was not used in order to preserve the quality of your footage. Tapes recorded at EP usually are the most problematic after years of storage, displaying a wide variety of tape damage symptoms including color loss, audio loss, frame skipping, and tracking issues.

Recording speed is the last item on the timer programming. SP or SLP. Some remotes have a button that will allow you to change the speed, when recording manually.

What is the recording speed of your tapes and DVD? SP SLP, etc. on tape SP SLP XP on DVD? That will determine the length of th recorded tape and the recording time the DVD can hold.

Those terms mean the speed that the VCR can record programs.
SP Standart Play >>> 120 minutes.
LP Long Play >>>>>> 240 minutes.
SLP Slow Long Play > 480 minutes.