using VHS tapes to record TV programs why are my tapes squeaking after only 5-10 rerecordings??

Question

I am recording TV with VHS tape and I am dissatisfied with the performance of the tape. I recently disposed of an older recorder and my replacement works as well as expected for the cost. What I found just this morning was rewinding the problem-tape with a separate rewinder (recommended to extend the life of your VHS recorder) and playing that tape it ran squeaky. Accidentally I rewound my TV broadcast recorded tape in the VHS player and playing the tape worked!
Would the pliable tape be fitting into the mechanics and gears of my VHS player if I rewound the tape in the machine or could something be broken in the separate tape rewinder?
I have been getting about 5-10 recordings on each new tape.
SP speed two hours. Then the tapes make a problem. Once or twice I purchased a used pre-recorded movie and it was a bad tape so I used that commercial released tape with a bit of scotch tape to record and this has worked well. Commercial tapes weigh a bit more than VHS tape. help-Ifucan

Answer 1

Because VHS is an old form of technology and they shouldn't be expected to work that long. 5-10 recordings sounds about right. Move on and get a DVD-R or TVO.

Answer 2

Some VHS blanks are made more cheaply than others. And back in the heyday, there were lubricating drops you could put into the mechanical gearing of the tapes.



But, as you said, the problem is prevalent when using a rewinder, as opposed to using your VCR. Again, in the heyday, when people were playing several hundreds of tapes a year in their machines, the parts would be subject to wear. A cheap rewinder saved wear & tear, especially when most of those tapes belonged to someone else, like a video store.



But, as mentioned, rewinders are CHEAP. VCR's, of necessity, are much more precision. So they shuttle the tape much more evenly, packing the tape more uniformly. Unless you're watching 2 - 3 tapes everyday , week after week, and for a couple years, I wouldn't worry about the rewinder.

Answer 3

Your tapes are worn out, get off a couple dollars and by some new tapes. Problem solved.

Answer 4

Because everyone uses TiVo now.

(I don't, but I don't bother recording things on VHS anymore..)