"nolsar" writes:

Try adjusting the tape guide posts, white plastic cylinders on chrome posts,
up or down may need tightening with small flat screwdriver or hex tool,
sometimes they become loose and the picture will be half missing.

DON'T touch the alignment! I'd quicker go with clogged heads if it's
a 4 (or more) head VCR. Then, a different set of heads is used for
normal play and FF, and for different speeds. Have you tried playing
back tapes recorded at both SP and EP speed?

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wrote in message
oups.com...
tim:
Either the heads are still dirty or clogged..... or the heads are
damaged or broken. An improper or haphazard cleaning can easily damage
the fragile head chips.
A quick examination by a service shop tech can give you the answer....
many times a small shop can give you a fairly inexpensive diagnosis for
the price of a cleaning or less.... and if it just needs to be
cleaned, it will be done properly and safely by a shop tech.... and of
course, expect to be charged for a cleaning.... and then your VCR will
work properly.
electricitym
.
.
.