I have a Ferguson FV 305 video recorder. The trouble is that it was making a bit of a rattly sound when playing a Peter Pan video one day but now refuses to play anything at all.
Any video inserted runs for a few seconds, occassionally up to a minute then automatically stops and switches itself off. I have tried the tape head cleaner several times with no success. Can you tell me if this is terminal or treatable?

Sandra McKenzie, February 2004

Problems like this are quite commonly due to worn drive belts, as this alters the tension of the tape and the player can 'think' it has reached the end of the cassette, thus causing it to stop.
This should be easily repairable by a local tv,video repair man,although get a quote done first as with the price of video recorders ever decreasing it can sometimes be more economical to buy a new one.
Its a wonderful disposable world of consumer goods!

Wayne, April 2004