VHS Hi-Fi through headphones - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

IanNVJ35 · 1st Feb 2011, 5:30 pm

Do any of you listen to your tapes over headphones? Due to living in an older house (where the walls transmit TV noise to next door) I am using headphones. It seems to me that there is a problem with this system, but any way of mitigating it would be appreciated. Perhaps that is why headphone sockets were removed from VCR's?

On pre-recorded films and recordings on other machines I often get a distracting thththth sound when there is something with a high treble content playing (like a triangle or chimes). Also, this level and style of noise pumps with volume and even screen content. I understand how the sound is laid down on the film, but over headphones the sound can be distracting. Perhaps Hi-Fi was really only designed to be used on the deck the tape was recorded on?

Sometimes linear audio is prefereable.

Your thoughts and experiences welcomed.

Jamie-Skinner · 1st Feb 2011, 6:58 pm

I get that with most HI-FI's and anything else really. Our neighbors are so loud anyway and keep us awake! So there's nothing wrong with me using my 1200W Amp to run everything through..

Maybe put the speakers ON the wall you share with your neighbors. That way the sound won't echo into their house? Or use a nearby bookshelf to stop sound reaching "The others".

ben · 2nd Feb 2011, 1:41 am

Sounds like head switching noise, or some problem with the FM audio decoding in the VCR.

Studio263 · 2nd Feb 2011, 3:51 pm

Try adjusting the tracking manually, although some noise is inevitable as the sound is continuous but the heads are not in contact with the tape for the whole time (for the picture this does not matter because of the gap between the frames).

Worn heads are another cause of excessive background noise, especially if it takes the form of random pops and crackles. This may show up worse when playing pre-recorded tapes and tapes made on other machines. Normally one notices sound problems long before the picture looks bad with hi-fi machines.

1st Feb 2011, 5:30 pm	#1
IanNVJ35 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 842	VHS Hi-Fi through headphones Do any of you listen to your tapes over headphones? Due to living in an older house (where the walls transmit TV noise to next door) I am using headphones. It seems to me that there is a problem with this system, but any way of mitigating it would be appreciated. Perhaps that is why headphone sockets were removed from VCR's? On pre-recorded films and recordings on other machines I often get a distracting thththth sound when there is something with a high treble content playing (like a triangle or chimes). Also, this level and style of noise pumps with volume and even screen content. I understand how the sound is laid down on the film, but over headphones the sound can be distracting. Perhaps Hi-Fi was really only designed to be used on the deck the tape was recorded on? Sometimes linear audio is prefereable. Your thoughts and experiences welcomed.

1st Feb 2011, 6:58 pm	#2
Jamie-Skinner Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Posts: 46	Re: VHS Hi-Fi through headphones I get that with most HI-FI's and anything else really. Our neighbors are so loud anyway and keep us awake! So there's nothing wrong with me using my 1200W Amp to run everything through.. Maybe put the speakers ON the wall you share with your neighbors. That way the sound won't echo into their house? Or use a nearby bookshelf to stop sound reaching "The others". Last edited by Station X; 1st Feb 2011 at 10:32 pm. Reason: GI

2nd Feb 2011, 1:41 am	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: VHS Hi-Fi through headphones Sounds like head switching noise, or some problem with the FM audio decoding in the VCR. __________________ Regards, Ben.

2nd Feb 2011, 3:51 pm	#4
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,576	Re: VHS Hi-Fi through headphones Try adjusting the tracking manually, although some noise is inevitable as the sound is continuous but the heads are not in contact with the tape for the whole time (for the picture this does not matter because of the gap between the frames). Worn heads are another cause of excessive background noise, especially if it takes the form of random pops and crackles. This may show up worse when playing pre-recorded tapes and tapes made on other machines. Normally one notices sound problems long before the picture looks bad with hi-fi machines.