# Troubleshooting help -- VCR

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-help-vcr/667903>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 3, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-help-vcr/667903 "2013-09-03T17:31:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-help-vcr/667903/1 "2013-09-03T17:31:34Z")

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At the center of our home entertainment system, we have a [Zenith VRC420 VCR.](http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Zenith-VRC420-TALKING-VCR-/00/s/ODk4WDE2MDA=/z/VyUAAMXQO21Rp~fc/$T2eC16FHJGQFFho+Oh5nBRp+fcIK!w~~60_35.JPG) It has inputs and outputs that allow us to direct the audio from our satellite receiver/DVR to our stereo. It also allows us to interface our karaoke system and DVD player (via a separate A-B switch) to the TV and amplifier.

Yesterday, we tried to listen to the TV through the stereo amplifier, and it just wouldn’t. I had known that if the VCR was turned off, it would not pass the audio signal to the stereo (but it still let us have the video to the TV), so I checked the power light.

The power light is blinking, at approximately 1Hz. The unit is unresponsive to all buttons, and will not eject my VHS copy of _South Park, Bigger, Longer and Uncut_. I tried unplugging the unit for about fifteen minutes, and when I plugged it back in, the only change was that now the clock display is flashing 00:00 (it does acknowledge the presence of a tape).

I also tried unplugging it, and holding the POWER button in while I plugged it in again, but that had no effect.

Any ideas about how to fix this?

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**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-help-vcr/667903/2 "2013-09-03T17:35:58Z")

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Probably time to find a replacement. There’s some on EBay for around $40.

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troubleshooting-help-vcr/667903/3 "2013-09-03T17:36:31Z")

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I’d try a button/plug-in combination again, this time with eject, then play, then stop.

You may wind up having to dismantle the device to get your tape back.