1998 JVC VHC Camcorder rolling picture?

Question

I have a JVC VHS-C camcorder from about 1998, and recently everything I record with it plays back with a rolling picture. You can see the picture frame literally move from top to bottom (or from bottom to top) as it plays back. The picture looks like one on an old TV with the vertical hold slightly out of adjustment. And it doesn't matter whether I play it back through the camera or through my home VCR -- the picture rolls on playback through either system. Sounds like a recording problem to me. The camera is old, but has not been used much in its 9 years. What is the problem? Can it be adjusted out by me? If not, is it even worth pursuing a repair? Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Try another tape and hope the problem goes away. The most likely reason is edge damage on the tape you are using. The edge of the tape is where the control track for sync pulses are recorded.