The VCR component used to work fine, but now the video is totally snowy (the sound is fine). In the past, I have solved this problem with other VCR's by cleaning them with a head cleaning cassete. However, the Samsung ejects the cleaning cartridge as soon as I put it in. I bought a new cleaning cassete, same problem. How can I clean this thing? thanks

If you are experiencing issues with a snowy VHS tape, here are some steps you can take to try to fix it:
Clean the VCR heads: Over time, the heads of the VCR may become dirty or clogged with debris, which can cause a snowy picture. Try using a VCR head cleaning tape or a soft, lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol to gently clean the heads.
Adjust the tracking: Use the VCR's tracking control to adjust the alignment of the tape. This may help improve the picture quality and reduce snowiness.
Replace the VHS tape: If the tape is old or worn, it may be causing the snowy picture. Try using a new or different VHS tape to see if the issue persists.

a common problem is rental videos that have been damaged in the first few feet of the tape by some other vcr's defective drive mechanism that "eats"the tape..What happens is the particles of the damaged tape clog the video heads in your machine,which have gaps in the millionths of an inch.Put a brand new tape in the machine and let it play for a half hour or so and it will usually clear itself.If that does not do it,insert a head clening tape and a couple drops of cleaning fluid and run it through.The newer machines will show a blue screen if there is no video information present.However,if you put it on forward search,it overrides that feature and you will see a snowy picture from a good tape,if one video head is clogged and the other is working.There are 2 video heads on a rotating head.it spins at 1800rpm and that is the whirring sound you hear when play is pressed.If both heads are clogged,you will see a snowy screen and no picture at all.A 4 head machine has 2 heads for slp or 2 hour speed and the other 2 heads are used for lp and slp.A hifi vcr has 2 more heads,which are used for the hifi audio,a total of 6 heads.The stationary playback head has a control signal for tape speed,and regular audio,mono or stereo.

It seems that you need to take the new unit back for exchange, since you are using the same output for the vcr and the dvd and your dvd is giving you a good picture, the vcr is acting up and since it's new either exchange or repair will be needed.

The video heads have been clogged. You can try a cleaning tape, but those often do not work. If that fails, you will need to have a professional clean the heads and verify the head alignment. This should not cost more than $50 or so.

Dan

power supply is most likely going could be capacitors on the vga /inverter board also needs to be checkd out at a service location

Video head needs thorough cleaning. If no head cleaner, then run a few long tapes through it in the fast scan mode since the tape itself is abrasive and will over time remove debris from the heads. If that does not do it, try a chemical cleaner to dissolve the material.

Sounds like bad solder connect in tv tuner....can usually be
repaired or replaced.......................T.

Hi,

A snowy video indicates that your input signal is relatively weak. On the other hand, a noisy picture is when there are too much interference is super imposing on the video.

Snowy picture comes about when the signal coming in the RF INput (Ant/Cable) at the back of the unit is below a certain level. If this is the case, then it is not a problem with your TV but rather your aerial (antenna) or the cable from your provider. A way to verify that it is the ant/cable that is the cause and not a defective TV/tuner is to hook up an old VCR set to Ch. 3 or 4 to the RF IN of your TV using a short 75 ohms coaxial cable terminated at both ends with FP-5 connector. Play a known clear good tape and set your TV to Ch. 3 or 4 as the case maybe. If the picture is relatively clearer, better, then you have just confirmed that it is indeed your aerial or your cable (provider) that needs looking into. If on the other hand, the VCR signal is also snowy then chances are that you have a problem with the input stage of your TV including possibly your tuner.

For your aerial problem, antenna orientation or replacing with a higher gain antenna might help solve the snowy signal. For your cable problem, you have to call-in for service from your cable provider. If it is a TV problem, your best course would be to seek the services of a qualified TV technician since this involve electronic circuitry analysis, diagnosis and possible component replacements.

Additionally, you may try looking for any loose connection, loose grounding, broken wire or anything out of the ordinary in your connections.

Hope that this be of some help/idea. Pls post back how things turned out or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

If you are using the RF out to connect to the VCR to your TV, perhaps the connecting Cable is faulty? And if you are connecting the VCR using the Audio Out / Video Out Cables, try replacing only the Video Out cable. In 95% of the cases, it is only the connecting cables which go faulty. If the above solution does not solve the problem, then we consider options. How old is the machine? if it is more than 5-6 years old, you need to get a service done. For chewing of tapes, 99% of the time it is a bad Pinch Roller(it is big (approx. 1 inch high. on the right side of the mechanism assy.)replace, and your chewing problem will go away.

Probably needs a new tuner or something associated with the tuner.