How to repair a video cassette tape used in your Sony VHS player
- Remove all adhesive labels from the spine of the video cassette tape or cut the label along the seam cassette case so you can separate the halves of the cassette case.
- Remove the screws from the back of the cassette tape. Typically there are screws in each corner and a screw in the middle.
- Lay the video cassette tape on a padded surface with the top of the tape facing up. Open the front cover and carefully pull the top off of the tape.
- Route the broken tape ends through the rollers. Release the reel catch and pull some tape out on both ends then let go of the release to lock the reels.
- Cut off any damaged tape. Overlay the ends of the broken video tape and cut across the overlay at a 30-degree angle. Tape the back sides of the video tape ends together using adhesive tape. Trim adhesive tape overlay from the video tape.
- Rewind the video tape back in the cassette case. Reinstall the cassette case cover and reinstall the screws.
- Insert the video cassette tape in the VHS player and check to see if the tape plays properly.
Adjusting the picture tracking on your Sony VHS player
Although the VHS player automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a video cassette tape, picture distortion may occur if the tape is in poor condition.
To adjust tracking, press Tracking +/- to display the tracking meter on your VHS player. Press the + or – buttons to adjust tracking until picture distortion disappears.
To resume automatic tracking adjustment of video cassette tapes, eject the tape. When you insert a tape into the VHS player, automatic tracking will be enabled.