This is true:  I was gonna take my VCR/DVD player into the shop, because it suddenly wouldn't play any VCR's or tape them either!  I tape almost everything I watch, to view later at night or in my camper van which has a TV/VCR in it.  I camp all the time, at trailheads, campgrounds and ski areas!  This was the 2nd time this occurred... playing just fine one day, and the very next time you turn it on, nothing but black and gray snow!  I didn't think it could be a cleaning problem, because I'd used my "dry" head cleaner on it several times without success.  But it turns out that the "wet" type cleaner is much better, and it cleans more components inside the VCR than the dry one does.  Just before taking it to the repair shop :($70.00+!), I received this cleaner from Amazon and gave it a try.... BINGO!  Perfect picture again!  And no problems whatsoever since.