Repair a broken VCR jack?

Question

I am trying to figure out how to repair the ANT IN jack on the back of my DVD/VCR player. I was trying to replace the antenna connected from my tv to the VCR. Either I pulled a bit too hard or it was loose to begin with but the jack came out still attached to the antenna cable. I tried to unscrew it but it was too tight & simply would not come off. I would like to try putting in a new jack but don't know how to do it. Is this something I can do myself or should I take it in to a shop? The VCR still works, I just can't connect a new antenna until that jack is replaced. Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

The first answer that you received is technically correct. The upshot is that repairing these is often a lot more complicated you might of thought. Having it repaired at a shop would cost more than the VCR is worth.

I read your previous question about recording one show and suggest two simpler solutions if your VCR has video in jacks:

If you can find an old VCR whose electronics still work (the tape part doesn't have to work), you can use its tuner and hook it to your current VCR with composite cables.

If you can wait until Jan 2008, the government will start giving out coupons that will let you buy a digital converter box for about $20. These will tune in all the current analog & digital broadcasts and have the same video out connections that you can hook to your VCR.

The cheapest way to replace a VCR (other than finding a working used one for almost nothing) is to buy a DVD recorder. You can find ones with digital & analog tuners starting at about $145. More like $200 for a good one.

Answer 2

if you know how to solder and desolder you can fix it.
if not then take to a shop.

F-connector broken off rear of TV or VCR
Sometimes this just happens due to poor manufacturing and a slight tug. However, usually, there has been some severe trauma - like the TV or VCR falling off a shelf while still attached. When else would it fall off a shelf? :-)
I recently repaired a Panasonic VCR with a dangling F-connector. It required removing the cover, main board, unsoldering the A/V block and part of the power supply, just to get at the RF modulator. Then it was a simple matter of resoldering the center conductor to the printed circuit board (fortunately, nothing else was damaged) and the shell of the F-connector to the metal box.