Maxell Cassette VHS-C Adapter (290060)

I don't write reviews, but this needs to be said. Why is this product rated 3/5 stars when it works great? First of all, it's ten dollars. My RCA VHS-C Adapter just broke, and I'm doing a documentary where I'm transferring archive footage from VHS-C to my computer. Someone on the Amazon marketplace is selling my RCA adapter, used, for $144.98. Get real. Then I thought about eBaying a camera, instead of using a VCR to play, and transfer the tapes. Over 80 dollars, used, for a VHS-C camcorder. Get lost. Stumbled upon this, and was skeptical, until it arrived just now... THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE PRINTED ON THE TAPE. Let alone there's some printed ones inside the box (I'm a guy; didn't even bother). But any person, other than an ogre, should know to carefully open the plastic slide, put your tape carefully in, and push the slide CAREFULLY upwards (or downwards when taking it out). You can watch your tape be opened (or closed) by the adapter. Why are people having trouble with this?? And every brand's tape works! I've tried and successfully played Sony, JVC, TDK, etc, let alone Maxell tapes. All work fine... Only gripe would be: if you stop, then rewind, it seems a bit fast for my tastes (don't know if it's my VCR or not) and it sounds like it's going to transform into a decepticon (or just destroy my VHS-C tape)... Maybe some folks received a defective piece of plastic and I'm somehow lucky, but this product is great. Pros +It works +It works with all brands of tape +Don't trust others Cons -Wouldn't trust the power rewind Recommended...

The review by "Markm" pretty much sums it up. I'm really surprised that someone can goof it up, though. First, slide the door to the case open fully. Then insert the tape making sure the posts inside fit properly into your smaller cassette (make sure the flap on the side of the smaller tape flips up all the way). If done properly, closing the door will cause these posts to pull the tape out of the smaller cassette towards the larger edge of the adapter. When dealing with the sliding door of the adapter, don't move it too fast -- be gentle (so you don't strip the gears). It's simple, it works, it's inexpensive -- just know what you're doing! I used to have a motorized adapter by "Digital Concepts" that worked fine for me, but reading the reviews on Amazon for what seems to be the same model gave me pause. The only visible difference between the one I had and the one listed was that the sticker on the top of my unit was blue and yellow instead of red and yellow (but it did work fine until a bug crawled into it and died). Anyhow, I transferred six small VHS-C tapes to my computer using the Maxell adapter and I had no problems -- highly recommended.

This is review one of two(possibly). I am pretty screwed on my time frame and when I went to use this converter, the left roller that presses the tape out is missing and there's an obvious broken piece that moves, but does nothing. So the tape only gets pushed out on the right side. The box the adapter came in was completely sealed and there's no roller or pieces anywhere. Right now I am even in more of a time pinch to convert these tapes. I ordered a second one and paid $.80 more than the first one I ordered, and paid an extra $3.99 to have it here tomorrow. Amazon wouldn't replace it for some pathetic reason. If the item works and does the job it's supposed to, I will update this review. -------------------------- Second review. New Maxell VHS-C adapter came today. It was the same product but the packaging it came in was newer (I think). This item didn't have the broken part my first one had and this item worked perfectly. I only had about 1.5 hours of video to convert on 3 tapes, but it worked. For the price, it was worth it. It's very cheaply made and isn't meant for impatient people. 1: Make sure there's no slack in the tape. I don't know what they consider "slack" but, it can't hurt to do this step. Finger in the gear hole of the VHS-C tape, turn counter-clockwise slowly until you feel resistance. 2: Put the tape in the adapter slowly and with caution, press it down evenly, then know what is supposed to happen (VHS-C tape door flips open) and that the tape is flush inside the adapter. 3: SLOWLY shut the adapter's door with two thumbs with even pressure, be aware that there's two rollers that will extend the VHS-C tape outwards and draw out tape from the VHS-C cassette. Do this SLOWLY in case there's an issue, never force. For the price this is a 4/5 item. If it was $50, it would be a 2/5 item.

I don't normally write reviews, although I read a lot of them and find them useful. So I'm writing this just because i read the bad reviews for this product and almost bought the more expensive ones; but decided on this one to save some money. My worry was that to save a few bucks I was risking breaking a tape or a VCR per the other review's comments. I am pretty sure the reason they had problems is they didn't use it properly. The instructions are pretty bad, and if you don't use it right it will break a tape and/or mess up your VCR. So here is the way to use it; the instructions just say open the cover, put in the tape, and close the cover; but its a lot more than that. 1. open the cover, and you'll see two posts sticking up that are spring loaded. It is very important you don't do what I did, which was figure those go in front of the tape, so I pushed them open and dropped the tape so the posts were on the outside of the tape. After experimenting and seeing how they work, I realized those posts go inside the tape, so just put the tape in without moving the posts. 2. and when you put the tape in, be sure the front flap of your VHSC tape pops all the way open. The first time I put in the tape I didn't push it all the way down, and the flap didn't even open at all. Don't force it, but when the tape engages the gear, the flap pops open. The gears are plastic, so fiddle with it, don't force it. 3. Now here is where you can break the tape; the instructions say "close the cover" which is right, but they don't mention that by closing the cover you are actually doing something else; the cover has a gear built into it, as the cover closes those two posts that are inside the tape push forward and out, spreading the tape out and pushing it to the front of the Adapater Cassette. This is how the tape is pulled out of your VHSC and held out so when the tape goes in the VCR it touches the VCR Head. When you slide the cover forward do it slowly, sort of back and forth, with light pressure. If you force it, it will snap your tape! if you do all this, I think you'll find this adapater is excellent, and will save you a bunch of money over the other ones that are double price, but probably have better instructions.

Gift for my dad. I learned how to use it before I gave it to him so I could teach him. Easy to get the hang of. You can't just slap the tape in and slam the sliding door closed. It takes a little effort and a careful hand to snap it into place, and sliding the door closed slowly and carefully is a must as the prongs that come up as the door closes to spread the tape itself seem like they COULD damage/stretch the tape if done too fast. Just read the top review on this product page or look up "VHS-C adapter tutorial" on Youtube to get an idea of the simple steps before you try. Otherwise, it works fine and just as good as the battery powered one that came with the camcorder that's now worn out. Plays in the VCR just fine. Simple, smart construction to be non-powered. Don't be scared to use it and go slow.

This is the first review I have ever written - I've been an Amazon customer for over a decade. This is not about complaining but informing. This is the first product I have ever had to return to Amazon. I tried the adapter in two VCRs. The first (Allegro) would barely accept the adapter. When finally inserted, adapter would not properly engage - VCR door would not close. Made numerous attempts. Second VCR (Sylvania) accepted adapter but crumpled the tape and pulled the tape out of the cassette on several tries. I followed the instructions to the letter. The VHS C tape door did pop open. The tape was exposed and fully positioned around the posts once the adapter door was closed. The tape was tightened - there was no slack. There was nothing else I could have done differently. Very disappointing; however, I am going to convert my two tapes to DVD for just double the price, which is the better option, ultimately. I am sure this adapter will work successfully in certain VCRs, but you will have no way of knowing in advance, so that is a risk you will take in purchasing this product.

This is probably one of the most straight forward products you can buy - it either works or it doesn't. Except for me on this particular unit it kind of did and didn't. It actually got the job done by allowing me to load into it a very old VHS-C cassette and play it in my combo Panasonic DVD/VHS recorder. It did record perfectly to the DVD which was the whole reason for having it. BUT it caused me fits trying to eject it from the machine once it was finished! That was certainly an unexpected glitch that was so nervewracking at one point I was concerned I would need to have it professionally removed. The case of this adapter is probably about .001 to maybe .002 thicker than a VHS tape cassette and therefore "hung up" in the insertion/ejection port of the recorder. I've never had that happen in literally thousands of insertions and ejections of VHS tapes in various machines I've owned. I only needed this adapter for this one VHS-C cassette which is that of a friend. After transfer and eventual ejection of the adapter I mailed the DVD I made from it along with the original VHS-C tape and the adapter to my friend hoping I will never see it again. Maybe I had one that should have been rejected at the factory or maybe they are all prone to such malfunction. I don't know. It got the job done. But, I would not care to risk damage to my equipment by having to use it or one like it again.

I had a few home movies that I've been meaning to convert to digital for a while now. I had an adapter that I use to use way back in the day that no longer works so I picked this one up. This one got the job done and works like a charm. The only down side (If I really had to 'find' any) would be you need to make sure that when you put in the tape and you slide the door that you make sure you do it slowly otherwise the levers that make the tape full VHS size may not always full extend. It's not a big deal and should be what you are doing to make sure the converter doesn't break.

電池がいらない人力で動くメカニズムはいいアイデアだが、早送り・巻き戻し・再生とどれもギクシャクして使いものにならなかった。ただamazonの返品手続きのスムースさはすばらしかった。

Buen adaptador, es mejor mecánico que eléctrico, he pasado varios vídeos a MP4 sin problema, estaba de oferta cuando lo compre, mucho muy barato.

First off, I don't know what so many people are complaining about, just look through the reviews. I read some people say they put the adapter in and their are pieces flying out of the VCR. I don't what these people are doing but they are not following instructions or buying a different product. I have transferred well over 40 VHS-C tapes now with no issues, and just in case for info I used the the Toshiba DVR620 to convert them to dvd. I could not get this adapter to fit in the vhs slot of the dvr so I just hooked up an old VHS player I had to the dvr to convert to dvd. Also like they say garbage in garbage out, so if your tape has issues it will appear on the screen do not blame the adapter. Some of the tapes were not cared for properly and it did show up on screen, as I mean the actually tape was scratched or damaged. Now what I would recommend anyone do before using this product is to please go on amazon.com and follow the "Markm" review as It has provided excellent instructions. Some things I would like to add on to this instructions are to take it slowly and do no the rush the tape into the adapter at anytime. Also, try to use the white socket at the back of the VHS-C tape to remove any slack from the tape if there is any. Check if there is any slack by opening the lid of the VHS-C tape. This will help in playing tape smoothly. More importantly, if your tape, and this goes for any kind of tape for that matter, has not been used in a while fast forward it to the end and rewind completely before your first use. Another thing I would recommend is to late your VHS-C tape cool off a bit before your put it back in the case if you use them after you done, this will prevent condensation and potential long term damage to your tape.

This item is more difficult to find. Got home movies on VHS and need this to run into PVR. Works awesome.

一応は使用できそうですが、カセットにより、一部、再生しなかったり、同期がずれるようなことがあります。