Philips VR550 chewing tapes.cannot reproduce fault

Internal mounting screws for the tape chassis may have come loose and can no longer hold the tape in the correct position. You will need to disassemble the camcorder to access the tape mechanism.

The answer is easy take the top off the unit, and with an old video tape try it and watch what the video does. This is the only way really as the causes of tape damage are many, including objects that have got into the works. The only tape chew fault that can be put down to a single thing, is the crinkle bottom or top edge. Which is caused by the pinch roller being worn.
Once you see what it does you can post again and describe it, we are FixYa should be able to pin it down.

http://www.usersmanualguide.com/philips/home_audio-video__vcr/page35

Here you have the manual in PDF.

If your pre-recorded tapes also play without sound, then check the scart lead is in straight.

If not, then it's more likely to be a dirty audio head.

Try a VHS head cleaner tape.

Could be tracking, dirty / faulty heads, or mis-alligned guide rollers.

First,adjust the tracking on the player during playback. This is done by pressing P+ or P- on the remote control.

If this doesn't work, use a video head cleaner. This consists of a video cassette and fluid. Follow the instructions with the cleaner.

If this still doesn't help, and you are confident in opening up the VR550, you could cleaner the heads manually.

Disconnect from the mains.

Remove the screws from the back and sides of the VCR.
Gently ease the lid off the machine.
Locate the large silver coloured head drum towards the back of the machine. There are four small receptors around the side of the drum. These are the video heads.
Take a small piece of clean white paper about 1.5 inches square. (Copier paper)
Hold the paper square over 1 finger and rub each head in turn. Keep the head near the centre of the paper so as not to catch the heads with the edges of the paper.
Check the paper for dirt from the heads.
Reconnect the player and try a tape. If the problem is still there, try cleaning again.

If none of this works, insert a tape NOT recorded on this machine (Mis-alligned rollers affect recording as well as playback) and play. Locate the rollers which guide the tape around the mechanism. Particulary either side of the head drum.

The rollers have adjustments on the top, which can be turned to move the guide up and down slightly. This is a fiddly job, and over adjustment could cause the tape edge to be damaged.
Adjust the rollers to get a clear picture. It is mainly trial and error.


If all fails then the video is probably destined for the skip.

If you need a replacement, www.cheapestelectrical.co.uk , will sell you a VR550 at a very good price.

Get thee back to the store. You have a defective TU reel sensor..accordianman

Most VCR's will auto-rewind the tape when it gets to the end of a tape. Most will leave the tape in the unit assuming you may wish to view it again once rewound. Does the tape eject properly when you press the eject button? What does the manula say about the eject function?

- Jim

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/v/vr550_07/vr550_07_dfu_eng.pdf

chances are the scart lead has come out slightly at either end, give both ends a wriggle while on play

Unplug the VCR overnight, reset the clock and try the timer again. if that does not work, there is a fault in the microprocessor and you would need to get a new VCR I'm afraid, as the repair would cost you twice what a new VCR would. Good Luck