Recently purchased a Goodmans widescreen TV - and now the tracking on all my videos seems to have gone wonky (I own a Sanyo video recorder) Any ideas? I've tried adjusting the tracking, but all it does is display the same problem in varyng picture qualities. The top half of the screen is 'pulling' to the left all time.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hmmm. Haven't seen that issue since the 1980s.

It's not tracking-related, the TV is having problems keeping track of the sync information sent out by the VCR.

You do have it connected using SCART right? Sometimes an RF connection is not up to the job.

if you put the tv in 4.3 mode instead of wide/16.9 does it help?

Is the VCR connected directly to the TV or through another device like DVD recorder? I've found that if passed through my DVD recorder, the TV has problems locking onto the VCR sync.

Thanks to everyone who replied Will try all of the suggestions and let you all know which one worked.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure none of them will.
I suspect I know what's causing your problem but you need to report back with the model no of your TV.

sounds like it's not on the 'video channel' if such a thing still applies on LCD screens....

You migh need to use channel 0 or 8 (read the book) Scart should sort it out I would imagine

Ok, tried some of the suggestions, still working through them.

When I put the tv in 4.3, the picture problem disappears! Hurrah! There are two big black bands at the side of the screen, but I can deal with that. The picture does go into black and white, however. I'm not sure why I'm just pleased not to have the slanty picture.

The model number of the TV is: KD2860FVT.

I hate these widescreened things. They're more bother than they're worth and difficult to look at.

I will try linking the video directly to the TV shortly, I just have to navigate through the Scart maze at the back of the TV.

Pulling Pic
The playback picture quality from my VCR is shaking. Some tapes are better than others.

Firstly, PROGRAMME '0' must be selected, if the VCR is connected by the RF lead. Retune the VCR to this Programme number.
If the VCR is connected via a Scart socket, use EXT 2, as this one is recommended for either a VCR or DVDR.
Additional Information
In either case above, once the VCR picture is displayed, pick up the TV remote and press MENU, then PICTURE menu, then go down below the last item and select VCR MODE. Set this to ON and STORE. This will correct any shaking of the picture.

In addition to John's suggestions, please post the devices you are connecting and someone will help you unravel the 'scart maze' at the back of your TV.

Also, widscreen TVs are not really more trouble than they are worth nor should you have to put up with 'slanty or black and white' pictures or ones 'with black bands at the sides' that you feel you need to 'deal with'.

The guys on here will help you set up the TV and other devices in the simplest way so that you maximise your viewing experience.

Don't be a 'luddite', Luddite - tell us what you have and we'll help you sort it.

Rgds,
Scorp

That's very sweet, thank-you

I have the aforementioned Goodmans' TV, a Sanyo video, an Alba DVD player and an Explorer 4000DVB Telewest box.

It's very odd, I can get a widescreen non slanty picture on Ext2S, but it's in black and white and is liney. Ext2 looks like it would be a better picture, but the top half is pulling, black and white and keeps changing backwards and forwards to a blue screen.

Did you check my suggestion of the VCR Mode within the menu?

VCR AV1 ---> TWest VCR scart
TWest TV scart --->TV EXT2 (set up in VCR mode as in John's post)
DVD ---> TV EXT1

External aerial ---> VCR RF in
VCR RF out ---> TV RF in

You can record 'off air' on the VCR using tuned analog channels.
You can watch terrestrial analog on the TV by selecting any tuned channel.
You can record Twest by using VCR input AV1.
You can play VCR through the TWest box selecting EXT2 on the TV.
You can play DVD by selecting EXT1 on the TV.
Set output of Twest box and DVD to be RGB.
Set output signal on both to be 16:9.
Set TV to be 16:9 or WIDE or AUTO depending on how you wish the TV to present programs other than 16:9 format.

Give this a try and come back with any difficulties.

Rgds,
Scorp

Wretchedly late in replying, but just wanted to say that I tried the video again recently and your solution worked!! Happily watching Sapphire and Steel right now.

Many, many thanks.

Now theres a blast from the past!

Joanna Lumley when she was (just about) a nipper!

It's the one in the railway station! 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag.......'

Hi Scorpio and John, I have a problem very similar to Luddite and wonder if you can help me.
I have acquired a Techwood RF3232 Television and connected it up to my Daewoo VCR, only to find, that some videos work perfectly in it but others cause the TV to jump, black and white, then blue screen and curve at the top. I have tried all different combnation of cables, new cables etc. The video worked perfectly on all videos with the old TV. We only watch videos, no tele, so I really want it to work so I can watch all my soppy videos on it, Thanks Trevena.

Hi Travena,
The cure to your problem is in my post no 9 in this thread.

Hi John, thanks very much but I'm afraid it does not work as my TV remote does not have a VCR option you mention. I have today warched Pt 1 of a video set which worked fine, then pt 2 of the same video set, was completely distorted. Thanks Trevena

Hi John just had another try and it worked, thank you so much, Trevena

Trouble is now that the picture is Ok the sound it coming and going, Trevena

That's not likely to be a problem with your TV...more likely your VCR heads are dirty or damaged tapes.

Thanks John, Trevena