Careful VCR placement ensures best results

Press, 15 April 1986, Page 26

Careful VCR placement ensures best results

The many precise mechanisms and circuits which run VCRs may be affected by the environment. Make sure your expensive unit is in a level,

well ventilated area, where it will not be subject to big changes in temperature, and where there is ample “breathing” space behind and above it.

Dust and dirt inside the VCR can cause noise, and specklgg and flashes on the screen. This is because the dirt and dust prevent proper contact between the video heads and the tape, resulting in interference. Dust also increases head wear, and damage that could be avoided with a little care. Always be careful where you leave the machine — never on the carpet, floor or an area open to the outside (for example, by an open window). A dust cover helps provide maximum protection. Watch your tapes as well. These will also pick up dirt and dust and transfer it to your machine. Do not use the VCR in humid conditions. If the humidity rises to 80 per cent or more the condensation will harm the tapes and video heads. Even if the air is not very humid, moisture will condense on a cold object in a warm environment, so be careful if the VCR is moved from room to room, or brought in from the outdoors. Watch that the unit is not left in direct sunlight or near a heater for long periods. This will not only damage the internal mechanisms, but also the outer casing. The permissible temperature ranges for VCR equipment are five degrees to 40 degrees for benchtop units and zero to 40 degrees for portable units.

Keep the unit away from other electrical equipment such as the TV and stereo because this may affect the quality of the video picture and sound.