FYI, if you have a VHS player and the playback isn't "clean", it's a good chance that old VHS tapes have literally dirtied the head. Don't buy expensive cleaners! (You can get "cleaner tapes"a which you just put in and "play", but even though they will work if dirt is the problem, eventually they too get dirty.) <br><br>Buy a packet of filter papers for cigarettes (we're talking pennies for a potential solution). Carefully unscrew the top casing (unplugged of course) and gently press the paper on the head and turn it (the head). Change the paper as soon as it gets any dirt on it. You then have - after diagnosing that dirt is the problem (no dirt on the head means you've probably got a different, more expensive problem!) two choices. Either plug the player back in, put clean paper next to the head and press play. Be careful because of exposed electronic parts. You may well need to have someone hold a part in place, because if you don't have it set as if there's a tape in there it won't play, and on pressing play, let the paper do its job. You may only need one or potentially a lot more depending on the amount of dirt. If it's definitely dirty and you're not making headway, then's the time to buy a head cleaner! <br><br>As with all fixes, start with the cheapest/easiest likely solution, and work your way through to the dearer ones!