I found an old home video that someone sent us. It plays ok on the VCR/DVD/ combi downstairs, but on the one upstairs (same brand, Panasonic), it only plays the sound on the tape. I tried other tapes and the other ones play ok on both machines. So why is this particular tape only playing the sound on this machine?

The heads are probably dirty. What is the model number of the Panasonic that does not play the picture?

It's a DMR-EZ45V. Thought it might be the heads, but if that's the case, why does it play all other tapes? Could I use a head cleaning tape?

Usually that is caused by the machine not reading that one tape well enough so the picture blanks out. Try using the manual tracking (channel up and down) on the remote and see what you get. These newer VCR's blank out the picture altogether rather than show what is really on the tape if there is a picture problem.

Thanks. I'mnot sure if I have the option to do that, but I will have a look.

As far as I'm, aware all VCR's had manual tracking controls, even the later auto-tracking ones. Usually it's two buttons on the remote control - which may be shared with some other function.

Not wise, much better to open it up and clean them manually, BUT if you have never been taught the right way DON'T, it is very easy to damage the heads.

Head cleaning tapes are very abrasive, so if you use one use it only for a few seconds max.

Hold down the channel up or channel down buttons on the unit, not on the remote.

I've found it's more often than not buttons on the unit itself, not the remote.

Panasonic usually do it on the remote (why I don't know) but either way the manual will be needed to confirm as this is an unlabeled feature. Why did they ever get rid of the dedicated tracking buttons - clearly labeled - along with a choice of auto or manual?

I do have tracking buttons on the remote (the program up and down buttons). I was pressing them for about 5 minutes before a picture came up, but it only stayed there for a few seconds. So I don't know if it was coincidence and that it would have come up anyway. I will try doing it on the unit though and see if that works. Thanks.

Because it's a very rarely used function, and auto-tracking is normally pretty flawless.

No need for auto/manual switching as it's auto by default, and reverts to manual if you use the buttons.

It's mostly used by engineers, whom have to disable auto-tracking during alignment procedures.