I have a Zenith ZHX313 DVD/VCR and I can't get the tracking to work when using VHS tapes. I can hear audio but the picture is not clear.

how do you have it hooked up? there are different connections for the dvd and vhs sides of the player

You most clean the head with a cleanhead tape and after you have a clean picture.

Did it EVER work as expected with VCR audio through the HDMI or are we working through that right now assuming it can?

I don't have a detailed manual, but the rear panel clearly shows some analog-only outputs (and NO digital ones) for the section called DVD/VCR. Internally, I'm sure there are proper analog-digital-converters for recording VHS to the native DVD-R, but VHS VCR's are NOT inherently digital audio devices so I'm pretty sure you need to run an analog RCA pair for the VHS video.

Select AV-1 or some thing in TV and plug DVD recorder Video-Audio output in AV-1 input of TV, playback any DVD and confirm its picture and sound in TV. Press Stop button of DVD recorder to stop playback.
Now plug Video-Audio output of VCR in DVD recorder input and select AV Input in DVD recorder, insert VHS tape in VCR and playback it and confirm you get VHS picture and sound in TV via DVD recorder.
Hookup between TV, DVD recorder and VCR is completed.
Playback VHS tape in VCR, Insert blank DVD disc in DVD recorder and press Record while you see VHS tape picture in TV.
Hope this info will help you.

This unit needs its tracking circuits aligned, starting with the mechanical adjustments of the transport....accordianman

Dear Zepp,

Firstly, video is not a clear as DVD.

Suggestions:
Do the video heads need cleaning?
Is the video tape a bit worn?, Try another video tape.
Do the video tracking controls needs tweaking?

Cleaning or video head replacement time....accordianman

How do i record a tv show on to a VHS tape?

we cannot get the vcr portion to work only the dvd player works what are we doing wrong?
Have the same problem? Click Here
Best Solution posted on Oct 24, 2007
MikeNJ1964
Rank: Guru
Rating: 88%, 431 votes

On some of the DVD/VCR combo units, the VCR output is only available through the RF jack (channel 3), standard video (yellow) RCA jack and S-VIDEO jack. If you are using the Component jacks, the DVD side will work but the VCR will not. This is because the quality of video recorded on VHS tapes is so much lower than component quality video.
Thank you for rating this solution.

Not likely. They probably just need to be cleaned and re-alligned. Rates vary, but our shop charges $20 to do that.