Expert: cleggsan - 5/17/2006

Question
We bought an Emerson EWC 1304 18 months ago. It's rarely used and probably has less than thirty hours on it.
Recently we played a movie and it ejected fine. But the TV won't play now. It's like the set still has a tape in it.
If you try to reinsert a tape, it ejects instantly. I suspect a mechanical problem with the tape player. But, an inspection shows no obvious damage. I've tried Emerson's site but they offer no assistance at all for this set.
If I could just get the TV to work, I'd be happy. I hate to throw it out becaus it had a great picture. But, it's totally useless now.  

Answer
First, it is an Emerson - one of the lowest quality products in the market according to some.

Secondly, it is a combo.  All combos - of any brand - are the lowest of low in terms of reliability.

End of lecture.

This set is made by Funai, which is not a bad company and their product ability is good.  You can find the manual for this model, if you have lost the original, at:

http://www.emersonaudiovideo.com/pdf/om/EWC1304.pdf

Now, to your specific complaint.

ONE: Do a hard reset to see if that will clear any corruption of the controller software (which is often the case).  A hard reset is accomplished by unplugging the power cord for 4 hours. Then try again.

TWO: If the hard reset does not work, look for a foreign object inside the vcr area that might be hanging up the mechanism.  Paper clip, hair pin or small childs toy parts are famous for being part of the problem.

Finally, you may have to lug it into a shop where a tech can examine it.

It should not be a serious or expensive problem......  but I cannot guarantee that!

Let me know if there are more questions.
Cleggsan