Sony - SLV-685HF -vcr using universal remote one for all 3021 can't change recording from sp to ep so I can record more on tape. vcr says auto, or 180 in speed setting always records sp. I just want to pop tape in and push record, not program to record at set time and speed. Help please

The only real cure will be to clean the video head. If that doesn't work then I'm afraid that whatever recorded you EP mode tape was not set up well tracking wise. So other machines struggle to track the tape. Some VCR's will only playback SP or LP tapes and don't have EP mode. In which case you should check to see if these VCR's can play the EP tape and if they can't find one that can.

You may have dirty heads in the vcr---most 4 head machines use two for sp and the other two for lp and or ep.

Tape residue will usually be seen on the drum where the heads are when this happens--also look for the black residue on the tape guides that hold the tape in position against the drum-------

Soory this cannot be done without remote control although tapes already recorded in sp or lp should auto select on play
regards windyhouse

Hi;
I have a Panasonic VCR with a different, but I know how to 'fix' your problem on my m/c. The remote for my m/c has a "REC MODE" button; operating that button changes from SP to EP etc. Check it with the "Program" button on your TV screen.
harrisonmx3

it will automatically play at the speed the tape was recorded at. but if you want to change record speeds here's how: you should be able to access menu functions from the front of the vcr, if so, put a tape to be recorded into the unit and then set the timer for a couple of minutes.while you are on the timer menu it will ask you for recording speed. set the timer record speed to ep and let it record for two minutes and let it record for the full time untill it stops recording. the record speed will automatically change settings to whatever you used last on timer record.

I have the manual. Are you trying to record something live? if so:

1) Turn on both the DVD/VCR and your TV.
2) Switch the input selector on your TV so that the signal from the player appears on the TV screen (this is usually something like 'input 1' or 'line 1' and so forth)
3) On your remote, set TV/DVD-VIDEO to DVD-Video, then press SELECT VIDEO to control the VCR. These buttons are at the upper left hand corner of the remote controller.
4) To record from a cable box, turn it on.
5) make sure the tape is longer than the total recording time.
6) insert a tape into the VCR.
7) press CH +/- on the remote to select the channel or line input video source to record.
8) select the tape speed SP/EP (SP provides better quality, EP provides three times the recording time as SP)
9) Press the record button to start recording. The VCR display will display the message REC.

sounds like it needs a good cleaning, you will notice this problem in sp first when needs cleaned. however if you had done this I would go over it again and if not then change the video head

I am sorry to have to tell you this, but the only way to change the recording speed is with an original remote. If you look on the original replacement remote link I posted here you will see the SP/EP selector, this is to change the recording speed. Good Luck. http://www.remotes.com/remotes/servlet/rs?a=gmi&smodel=DS13TVR90&brand_pn=FISHER_DS13TVR90&mode=large&uid=11755283300930

Is this an older VCR? If you can set the timer on the VCR itself
like on an older model you can set the timer and set it to record
in another speed. But if you can't do this. You are stuck at
recording in sp. If you can set the timer, if you make just
one mistake it may not come on at all. That's why vcrs
are not as reliable as dvrs. if you don't want to miss a show
diffinatly make sure you re at home and see it come on
like fill up the whole tape and put the show on the end of the tape. like a 2 hour movie comes on a 8pm-10pm set the
timer at ep speed to come on at 4:05pm- 10:05pm and put a 2 hour tape in it. in ep it will record for 6 hours. tape will stop
automatically so you will record it, and it will be on the tape
at the end. that's the way i do it. if I'm not going to be at home
if i really don't want to miss a show at all. because when you set the timer it still might not come on if you see it on you know
its going to record it.
note its cheaper to just buy a new vcr than buying a $72 remote.
you might as well do that if it is a newer model.

I bought an older model vcr in a thrift store for $10 and it worked good for a year for recording shows. I got lucky I guess.
it didn't have a remote I use the timer to set the ep speed
to record.