VHS Camcorder issues

[Agent13]

Good morning all,

I recently fired up my consumer VHS camcorder after many years of non use. I was hoping to film the Radwood 1980s car show with it, but was very disappointed to find that it has issues

Here is a video of the recording.

https://youtu.be/5-lXk-0vC0k

Here is a video of the viewfinder while not recording. Connecting a cable to my TV does not show the same distortion on the viewfinder, but there is distortion.

https://youtu.be/JTPVrf7omDE

Pointing the camcorder into light really makes it go nuts.

I pulled it apart today, and I have not seen any visual defects.

What does everyone think may be the issue? Any help is appreciated!

 

[PRR]

If this was 1980, you should get a VHS Cleaning Tape.

If this is the 21st century, a $29 cellphone takes fine video and never gets dirty heads.

If you want a 2018 video to "look like" 1980, there are filters for that.

 

[BSE]

I think PRR has a very good response. The belts are most likely shot, need replaced and uneasy to access although they are inexpensive. Bet it needs a good tape path cleaning as well. You can use Q-tips and anhydrous alcohol (Don't use 70% rubbing alcohol) and it works better than any tape cleaner if you can access the tape path. Use foam (make-up) swabs for the drum and video heads, Q-tips are said to scratch video heads. Find several videos on proper cleaning of video heads as they can be easily damaged. Good luck.