Replays both dvd and video tapes back in black and white only.

i would take it and get it serviced
i think the tape isnt running at quite the right speed perhaps a dirty bearing
usually if you get black and white from a colour video
then its either recorded in black and white or playing back black and white

so if you record then test it using a a vcr and a converter vhs tape box then you can see if its recording in black and white

then youll know its something too do with either the colour carrier etc component of the video its outputing

dont think its a dirty head
but you can clean it easy enough
i use a plain manila envilope and use the inside of its paper
the outside is smooth the inside is rough
its just right to clean the head drum
and some small lint free cloth to carefully clean the mecha
i use IPA isopropile alchohol {get from the chemist}

If you have both a VCR and DVD recorder there is no problem. Just connect the A/V output from the VCR to the A/V input of the DVD recorder. Start the tape and press record on the DVD recorder. (these connection are RCA type ans coloured white, red, abd yellow. Just connecxt them colour to colour. Couldn't be simpler. When the recording finishes, transfer to an optical disk. After finalizing, the VOB files from the optical disk can be converted to mpeg4 or any other format you desire using your PC.

my old series of ROOTS is playing in black and white and says on cover that they are in color

Fixed the VCR problem. Thightened all the connections and it now seems to be working OK

The unit is defective and needs repair/replacement

the video and control heads are probably dirty. a video cleaning tape might work, otherwise you will need to get a proffessional to clean if for you.

Color codes for A/V cables:

Yellow: Composite Video
Red: Right Audio Channel
White: Left Audio Channel (mono)

Does your TV have a video & audio OUTPUT on the back of the TV?

If so, will need another set of audio/video cables and you need to connect the yellow cable from the video OUTPUT of the TV to the video INPUT (yellow) of the DVD/VCR and connect the Red cable from the right OUTPUT of the TV to the red INPUT of the DVD/VCR. Then connect the white cable from the left OUTPUT of the TV to the white INPUT of the DVD/VCR. If your TV is not in stereo, just connect up the white cable for mono audio.

If your TV set does NOT have audio/video OUTPUTS, then you will still need another set of audio/video cables and connect the yellow cable from the video OUTPUT of the cable box to the yellow video INPUT of the DVD/VCR and connect either the red or white (or both if possible) to the red or white audio INPUTS of the DVD/VCR.

You need two sets of cables because you want to watch DVD's & tapes on your TV (Path #1) and you want to record the TV channel shows back to your DVD/VCR (Path #2).

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.

Good Luck!

- Jim

Is the picture still or it scrolls? You may be playing NTSC tapes and DVDs on a PAL TV or vice versa. If your TV supports multiple systems, try switching from one system to another (like NTSC from PAL).

Thanks. We have replaced the unit with a JVC but will give the SP/SLP a try just to see.

Anoyed

are you using the s video socket if so you will get black & white picture you need to use rca phono to rca phono or rca phono to scart lead to record to dvd burner. as I do alot of copying over myself i never use s-video socket due to cable wrongly wired for colour just black video signal. hope this works for you