I haven't used it in a while, since I got the blue ray player/recorder. If I remember correctly, it was still working fine the last time I used it. But it also is a few years old already and I have bought many video recorders and know that in the end they start to fail and eat tapes indeed. So I'll try first with a tape that is not as important, if that will work well, I'll do it. My brother only has to show me how to use this technology.