Samsung SV-5000W Worldwide VHS Format VCR
Something significantly wrong with the design!
I first reviewed this VCR some time ago. In that review I said that conversion quality from this machine was truly excellent, and I stand by that statement. However, where this machine fails completely and utterly is this &#34;snow&#34; issue many owners report - there is something significantly wrong with the design of this machine, and the snow in almost all these cases will be as a result of this design problem.<br /><br />Now, the good news is that in an instance where you do have the problem, and it's truly not down to worn video heads, you can most probably clear the image by twisting the chassis. The way I do mine is by sticking a suitable &#34;wedge&#34; under the right front cornder of the machine, lifting that corner and twisting the chassis quite substantially. About .25&#34;/5mm is right for mine, but if you use an actual wedge you can vary the amount of twisting until the desired result is achieved.<br /><br />Now, your mileage may vary, and I agree it's completely unacceptable. I personally think Samsung should really fully refund everyone who bought these machines, no matter how old they are. I was fool enough to buy two! If I ever get the time and inclination, I'll pull the VCR out of my system and see if there is a more elegant way of solving the problem (I'm thinking it might be possible to adjust the pitch of the subassembly holding the head drum). But for now the wedge works fine, I guess.