Last night, I managed to get my VCR working again. Cleaning its mode switch with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol did the trick, After which I was able to get 3 more captures of Metamorphoses before turning in for the night.
I’d hoped to capture the tape a couple more times this morning, before work, but the tracking error was back. Back apart the VCR went, I bent the copper tabs back up, and cleaned the drum again for good measure. Once it was put back together, the tape’s picture was clear again. For about 3 minutes, anyway.
At this point the best fix might be to solder a wire between those tabs and the chassis.
