Aboutcleggsan Expertise Consumer Electronics of all kinds. Audio, esoteric audio systems and components, video, tv. Digital equipment for consumer use. Ham radio and automotive electronics.
Experience Electrical Engineering; recording, broadcasting, design, international standards, tv and radio theory and practice.
Organizations FELLOW of AES (Audio Engineering Society)
Senior Life Member of IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers)
International Consulting Organization
Publications IEEE Spectrum
Various Consumer Electronic publications
Education/Credentials BSEE
MSCS
MBA
Awards and Honors Famous Engineer for Digital Audio
Expert: cleggsan Date: 7/13/2008 Subject: Philips DVD 740VR; VCR stuck in the VCR Player
Question I have a Philips DVD 740VR that has provided good service for several years until this week when a
VCR cassette got stuch in the player. I can hear the motor running when the unit is on, but the heads are not engaged, the unit shuts withing a minute of being turned on, and I can't get it to eject the VCR. Can I fix this myself? Is there an internal button, switch, or other doo-hickey I can press that will release the tape?
Answer Try a hard reset first. Just unplug the power cord for 1/2 hour then plug it back in. This will often release the mechanisms and let it go again.
Also, there is a database of cures for vcrs at www.fixer.com which you might want to look at.
In worst cases it takes a tech who knows how to remove the covers and dig down into the works and release the tape carefully and pull it out. Then, most often, it will require some attention to the guides rollers and other adjustments.
Normally, the cost of repairing a vcr is more than the cost of a new machine - if you can find one as they are gradually disappearing from the marketplace.
Hope this helps; let me know if you need more explanations.
