Background: Many home video companies placed these bumpers at the beginning of their VHS tapes to remind the viewer about adjusting the tracking feature on their VCR for the best quality. When auto-tracking became the standard in the late 90's, these bumpers ceased to be used.
Strand VCI Entertainment[]
1988–1993[]
Bumper: On a black background, the screen reads "For best picture quality, please adjust the tracking control on your VCR." in a white Helvetica font.
Variant: On some releases such as The Mouse and the Motorcycle, the text was rearranged into four paragraphs instead of three, and the screen cuts in and out.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on Strand VCI Entertainment VHS releases such as Thomas Gets Tricked, James Learns a Lesson, Tenders and Turntables and Thomas Breaks the Rules (all in EP Mode). It was also seen on a 1994 JTC Home Video VHS of Field Dressing Your Deer, and makes a surprise appearance on an EP reprint of the VidAmerica VHS of Battle Hell.
GoodTimes Home Video[]
1984–1989[]
Bumper: On a black background, there is white text in a blocky font reading: "FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY ADJUST TRACKING CONTROL" or "FOR BEST QUALITY PICTURE ADJUST TRACKING CONTROL".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Uncommon. Seen on some GoodTimes and Kids Klassics VHS releases of the time. Also seen on some MCA(/Universal) Home Video VHS tapes distributed by GoodTimes.
Turner Home Entertainment/GoodTimes Home Video/Orion Home Video/Cabin Fever Entertainment[]
1987–1992[]
Bumper: On a black/gray gradient background, we see white text reading "This video is recorded in E.P. mode. For best picture quality please adjust your tracking."
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Used on early Turner Home Entertainment VHS releases and some by GoodTimes Home Video, Orion Home Video, and Cabin Fever Entertainment (such as Lonesome Dove).
1992-1996[]
Bumper: On a black background, the same text as on the previous bumper fades in, one line at a time.
FX/SFX: The fading.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Extremely rare. This was found on a VHS of Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics: On Your Marks, Get Set — Go Scoobys!.
Orion Home Video (standalone)[]
1987-89[]
Bumper: On a plain blue background is the words "ADJUST TRACKING CONTROL FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Rare. Seen on certain Orion Home Video releases from the era such as Married to the Mob.
1989-98[]
Bumper: On a blue BG with the Orion Home Video wallpaper, we see the words "This video is recorded in the EP mode. For best picture quality, adjust the tracking on your VCR."
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: More common than the above bumper and can be seen on Orion VHS releases from the era such as Mac and Me.
Feature Films for Families[]
1986–2006[]
Bumper: On a black background, the screen reads "If the picture on your screen is not clear, please adjust the tracking on your VCR." in a white Arial font.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on certain Feature Films for Families VHS releases.
United American Video Corporation/Sterling Entertainment Group[]
1984–1988[]
Bumper: Over the American flag, we see the words "For best picture quality, adjust tracking control on VCR." with the wiping effect with red, white and blue lines. This is apparently part of the 1984 UAV logo.
FX/SFX: The wiping in of the text.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on some early UAV VHS tapes. Not all of them contain this bumper, so be on the lookout.
1988–1991[]
Bumper: On a mostly blue gradient starry background with black in the top right corner, we see the words "For best picture quality, adjust tracking control on VCR." before the 1989 UAV logo appears.
Variant: An additional screen is used on VHS tapes of public domain cartoons: "These classic cartoons were mastered from the best original film print available. Slight imperfections common in early cartoon animation may be visible." Afterwards, the standard text is shown.
FX/SFX: The fading in of the text.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on most UAV VHS tapes from the era such as Daffy Duck and 43: The Petty Story. On UAV releases of Samuel Goldwyn films, like Southern Comfort and Lovers and Liars, the blue background variant of the 1979 Warner Home Video warning screen appears in the place of this bumper instead.
Editor's Note: Since the UAV logo follows this, it can scare some.
1991–2006[]
Bumper: On a black background, we see the words "For better picture quality adjust tracking control on your VCR." in a white typewriter-like font.
Variants:
- On some VHS releases from Sterling Entertainment Group and its labels Gemstone Entertainment and Ovation Home Video, the text is displayed in Arial Bold. This variant debuted in 1999 on Curious George Comes to America and the Sterling reprint of Where the Red Fern Grows Part II, and was used until 2002.
- Beginning in 2003, the version of the text introduced in 1999 is slightly wider, spaced tighter, and in Helvetica Bold.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: A few seconds of silence, followed by a young-sounding man reading the message.
Music/Sounds Variant: Beginning with Curious George Comes to America, the voiceover is louder and starts when the bumper fades in.
Availability: Very common.
- Seen on many UAV, Sterling, Ovation, and Gemstone slipcover VHS tapes, such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, the UAV VHS issues of Felix the Cat and Beauty and the Beast, Little Lulu: A Bout with a Trout, Santa and the Three Bears, Santa’s Surprise, Baby Huey: Quack-a-Doodle-Doo, Robin Hood Makes Good, Little Audrey and Friends, Kansas City Confidential, the Enchanted Collection, Cartoon Fest and Cartoon Carnival series, Baby Huey: Perfect Pupil, Mutt and Jeff’s Wacky Western Cartoon, and the slipcover versions of early UAV Gold releases such as Gulliver’s Travels, The Jungle Book, Jurassic Giants, Dinosaurs of the Jurassic, and Operation Dalmatian.
- This doesn't appear on the company’s releases with the first two logos, as they have their own tracking control disclaimers in their logos.
- The easiest way to determine whether or not this will appear is by looking at a disclaimer printed on the sticker label on the tape that states, "FOR BEST PICTURE ADJUST VCR TRACKING CONTROL". Releases with "RESULTS" replacing "PICTURE" on this disclaimer, such as the clamshell issues of all UAV Gold releases, contain the company's fourth FBI warning screen instead.
Editor's Note: If you're not expecting the man reading the message, it may scare you, but it's otherwise harmless.
Media Home Entertainment/Maier Group/Random House Home Video/Starmaker[]
1980s–1990s[]
Bumper: On a black background appears the white text "FOR MAXIMUM PICTURE QUALITY" and the blue text "IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ADJUST THE TRACKING CONTROL ON YOUR VCR". The screen lasts for 15 seconds until it finally fades out slowly.
Variant: There is a version on a different font.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: Three seconds of silence, followed by a man reading the text out loud by saying "Please note: For maximum picture quality, it may be necessary to adjust the tracking control on your VCR." After that, the rest of the screen remains silent.
Music/Sounds Variant:
- Sometimes, a different announcer is heard on the variant.
- On the 1995 VHS release of Final Impact, the announcer is not heard.
Availability: Uncommon for the most part, but it was seen on the 1990 Hi-Tops/Media Home Entertainment release of Madeline (released through Hi-Tops Video). It was also seen on some Random House Home Video releases such as a few The Bernstain Bears videos as well as Maier Group's Inspector Gadget tapes. It was also seen on some Festival of Family Classics tapes from Starmaker and the VHS release of National Lampoon's Class Reunion. Also makes surprise appearances on Three Amigos!, The Jungle Book: Kichi Is Alone, J2's 1987 VHS of Elton John Live in Australia, and Vestron's 1991 VHS of Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started.
Editor's Note: If you're not expecting the man reading the message, it may scare you, but it's otherwise harmless.
Media Home Entertainment (standalone)[]
1981–1987[]
Bumper: On a blue background is the white text "PLEASE ADJUST TRACKING FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY." and "THANK YOU".
Variant: On Burbank Video releases, the text is smaller and "THANK YOU" is missing.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on certain Media Home Entertainment VHS releases of the era. It was also preserved on several Video Treasures re-releases of the aforementioned titles.
1987–1993[]
Bumper: On a red/orange gradient background, there is a white figure guy holding a wrench and the white text "FOR BETTER VIDEO VIEWING HAVE VCR SERVICE CHECKS." on the top. Below them is a white bar, and underneath it is the first portion of another white text, which reads:
MEDIA HOME ENTERTAINMENT
& YOUR VIDEO ENTERTAIN-
MENT RETAILER RECOMMEND
YOU HAVE YOUR VCR
ROUTINELY SERVICED
TWICE A YEAR TO
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF
YOUR VIEWING, PROLONG
THE LIFE OF THE VCR, AND
TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF
DAMAGE TO THIS VIDEO
CASSETTE.
4 seconds later, the figure with the wrench slides away to the right (as if he was running) and then 5 seconds later, the bottom text scrolls up, revealing the rest of itself. After that, it stops scrolling to show the last portion.
FX/SFX: The figure sliding away, the scrolling of the second text.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on certain Media Home Entertainment VHS tapes of the era.
Celebrity Home Entertainment[]
1985–1998[]
Bumper: On a white background, we see the text "FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE PICTURE PLEASE ADJUST THE TRACKING KNOB ON YOUR VIDEO MACHINE", with "THE TRACKING KNOB" blinking on and off.
FX/SFX: The blinking of "THE TRACKING KNOB".
Music/Sounds: A man reading the message, which sounds like it was recorded in an auditorium.
Availability: Found on some Celebrity Home Entertainment VHS releases, most notably the Mighty Mouse compilation tape and the Celebrity VHS issues of Superman and Felix the Cat.
Editor's Note: If you're not used to the man reading the message, it may at least surprise you, but it's otherwise completely harmless.
Just for Kids[]
1985-1997, 1999, 2001[]
Bumper: Two bumpers were produced.
- Bumper I (1985-1989): Check this page for more details.
- Bumper II (1989-1997, 1999, 2001): Check this page for more details.
Variant: A variant of the second bumper exists; check the page linked above for more details.
FX/SFX: Live-action and, in the case of the first bumper, some chroma-key effects.
Music/Sounds: Noel C. Bloom, Jr. talks about their tracking message. On the first bumper, a synthpop instrumental plays while Noel is talking. Both bumpers have different messages; check the page linked above for more details.
Music/Sounds Variant: On tapes that have the first bumper, Noel C. Bloom, Jr. talks about their message about their upcoming releases after the program. Likewise, there's a version of the second bumper with no "stay tuned" message; check the page linked above for more details.
Availability: The first version is very rare and seen on some early 1-hour sell-thru tapes from the era. The second version is uncommon, and seen on most Just for Kids sell-thru tapes such as Gulliver's Travels, and the stay tuned version is seen on some prints of Rude Dog tapes, among others.
Editor's Note: On the first bumper, it's quite obvious that Noel is reading his lines off a cue card, as you can see his eyes move from left to right and so on.
Simitar Entertainment[]
1990–2000[]
Bumper: On a sky blue background, we see the words "Recorded in EP Mode If you experience picture problems, adjust Tracking Control" in a silver, condensed Times New Roman font.
Variant: On earlier releases with this bumper, the background is solid blue, and the font is different and wider.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on Simitar tapes with the Gold S logo (currently unknown if it appears on releases with the Giant S logo). The easy way to determine whether or not this will appear is by looking at the tape to see if it says EP Mode. It was rarely seen on the Awesome/Funtastic series and the I Wanna Be series but it might be on other tapes as well, such as Godzilla tapes. The first version can be seen on Awesome Airplanes, Awesome Motorcycles, Awesome Trains, and The John Wayne Anthology: The Star Packer/Lawless Range. It also made a surprise appearance on Awesome Mining due to the fact that the tape has been recorded in SP Mode instead of EP.
Vestron Video[]
1989[]
Bumper: On a blue background is the white text "This Cassette is Recorded In The Extended Play Mode. Please Adjust Tracking" in quotes.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Extremely rare. Found on the 1989 screener/demo tape of Gleaming the Cube.
Editor's Note: Is there really any reason for the text to be in quotations?
Parade Video[]
Late 1986-Early 1990[]
Bumper: On a black/blue gradient background appears the white text:
ALL VCRs ARE DIFFERENT
TRACKING ADJUSTMENT
MAY BE NECESSARY.
It fades out as the warning fades in.
FX/SFX: The fading.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This can be seen on some Parade Video VHS releases that have been recorded in EP Mode.
Malofilm Video[]
1990s[]
Bumper: On a black background we see the words "For Maximum Picture Quality, It May Be Necessary To Adjust The Tracking Control On Your VCR" in a typewriter-like font.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This can be seen on some Malofilm Video VHS releases that have been recorded in EP Mode, such as The Best of Mighty Machines.
Burbank Video[]
1985–1991[]
Bumper: Same as the Media Home Entertainment tracking reminder, but the text is smaller and the words "THANK YOU" is missing.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This can be seen on some Burbank Video VHS releases that have been recorded in EP Mode. Also seen on some Video Treasures VHS releases such as Class.
Video Collection International[]
1988–1995[]
Bumper: On a black background, we see the following tracking control text in white:
Video Collection International have
recorded this programme on high
quality video tape to provide you
with great sound and vision quality.
In the unlikely event of any picture
interference please adjust your video's
recorder's tracking control.
This will, in most cases rectify both
sound and visual quality.
Variant: Three different fonts were used.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on all VCI VHS tapes from the era.
Cinema Club[]
1990s[]
Bumper: Surrounded by a frame of gold filmstrip, we see the Cinema Club logo at the very top of the screen, with the following tracking control text below it in a gold Futura font on a dark grey-black gradient background:
Cinema Club has
recorded this programme on high quality
video tape to provide you with great
sound and vision quality.
In the unlikely event of any picture interference,
please adjust your video recorder's tracking control.
This will, in most cases, rectify both sound
and vision quality.
This fades out, leaving just the filmstrip and transitioning to the warning screen.
FX/SFX: The fading between this and the warning screen.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Common. Appears on many, many VHS releases from Cinema Club from the time.
Editor's Note: While this bumper sounds like a very easy find like with the warning it's attached to, just bear in mind that some tapes - mostly early ones - don't have it.
ABC Video (USA)[]
1995[]
Bumper: On a silver gradient background, wee see white text with black shading saying: "ADJUST TRACKING FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on Schoolhouse Rock! VHS releases from 1995.
Blay Video/Embassy Home Entertainment/Nelson Entertainment[]
1981–1991[]
Bumper: On a blue screen, we see the text "ADJUST TRACKING CONTROL FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on Blay Video, Embassy Home Entertainment, and Nelson Entertainment VHS releases such as The People That Time Forgot and The Day After.
Video Treasures[]
1985–1990[]
Bumper: Same as the 1981-87 Media Home Entertainment tracking reminder.
Variant: On some releases, the text is smaller and the words "THANK YOU" is missing.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on several Video Treasures VHS releases of the era.
1987[]
Bumper: On a black background, the text "FOR BEST PICTURE" is shown, with red lines above and below it. Underneath it is "ADJUST TRACKING ON VCR."
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: TBA
1989–1998 []
Bumper: On a rocky Video Treasures wallpaper background, the words "Please adjust tracking for best picture." slide in at a slow-like speed and at both sides. They stay there for a few seconds. Later, they slide out and go backwards.
FX/SFX: The words coming in and out.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: It appears on numerous videos from the Video Treasures era, such as all of their Thomas The Tank Engine VHS tapes, but sometimes, it skips to the company’s FBI warning. For some reason, this also appears on a few tapes recorded in SP mode, including Zombie. Also seen on early Anchor Bay Entertainment VHS releases and 1995-98 Starmaker VHS releases. It also appears on an Elephant Show VHS release from Drive Entertainment.
Editor's Note: Since it usually makes a jarring cut to the FBI warning used during this era, it could make someone jump.
Parents Approved Video[]
1980s[]
Bumper: On a black background, we see the words "PLEASE ADJUST TRACKING" and "FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY".
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Rare. Seen on the VHS release of Baseball Funnies and Great Plays.
3-G Home Video[]
1981–1992[]
Bumper: On a green-purple-orange gradient background, we see the words "FOR BEST PICTURE ADJUST "TRACKING" ON YOUR VCR" in a odd-looking font.
Variant:
- On the 1988 VHS of Learn To: States and Capitols, the background is black-gray-black gradient, the text is in a yellow Dawncastle Bold font and "ON YOUR VCR" is missing.
- On one tape, the background is a blue-purple-pink gradient background.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Rare. Until 1986, this appeared after the warning screen.
Editor's Note: The odd font could catch someone off-guard.
Virgin Vision Australia[]
1980s–1990s[]
Bumper: On a white background, we see the red text "PLEASE ADJUST TRACKING CONTROL FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY." in a Helvetica font.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Only seen on Australian VHS releases from Virgin Vision, such as WWF videos.
HBO Video[]
1992[]
Bumper: On a black background, we see the text "Recorded in 'EP' Mode" and "Tracking adjustment may be required" below it.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Appears on the 1992 demo VHS of Collision Course.
Family Home Entertainment[]
1990[]
Bumper: On a blue background, we see the text "FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY ADJUST THE TRACKING CONTROL ON YOUR VCR UNTIL THE PICTURE ON THIS SCREEN IS CLEAR."
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Extremely rare. This appears on a series of Burger King Kids Club exclusive releases of the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series, namely Invasion of the Turtle Snatchers, April Foolish, The Great Boldini, and Sky Turtles.
MCA/Universal Home Video[]
1991[]
Bumper: On a black-light blue gradient background, we see the text "PLEASE ADJUST YOUR TRACKING."
Variants:
- On a double feature demo tape of The Execution of Private Slovik and FM, the background is light blue. The text then fades out, and MCA/Universal's screener warning begins to scroll up.
- On a double feature demo tape of White Lie and War Lord, the background is solid purple and the font is different.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Extremely rare. The black-blue version appears on the demo tapes of Once Around and The Hard Way.
Questar Home Video[]
Late 1980s–1990s[]
Bumper: Against a dark purple starry sky, we see the text "FOR BEST QUALITY PICTURE PLEASE ADJUST THE TRACKING CONTROL ON YOUR VCR". This fades out some while later, segueing into the Questar Home Video logo.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on all VHS releases from Questar Home Video from that period including Super Predators. Interestingly, while this type of notice is generally used on SLP-quality tapes, this one generally appeared on SP tapes.
Goldhill Video[]
1990s[]
Bumper: On a teal background, this text is shown:
FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY
YOU MAY HAVE TO ADJUST
YOUR TRACKING CONTROL
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on Goldhill VHS tapes such as Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn and a double-pack of Sudden Impact!/Final Target...Planet Earth.
Salton/Maxim Housewares, Inc.[]
1995[]
Bumper: On a black background, this brown-ish text is shown in a computerized font:
Please Adjust The
"Tracking" Control
On Your VCR for
Best Picture and
Sound Clarity
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This was found on a VHS of Your Guide to Healthy Bread Baking.
Marshmallow Entertainment Company[]
1997[]
Bumper: On a black background, this text is shown:
ALWAYS ADJUST TRACKING
FOR BEST PICTURE.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on the Itty Bitty Kiddy Wildlife video series.
Bridgestone Group[]
1989[]
Bumper: TBA
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on a VHS of The Painted Hills.
1993[]
Bumper: On a yellow background, this text is shown:
IN EXTENDED PLAY MODE
FOR THE BEST
PICTURE POSSIBLE
PLEASE ADJUST YOUR
TRACKING KNOB
Technique: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This was found on a VHS of Zane Grey Classic Western Collection: Volume 1.
Hometime, Inc./Miracle-Ear/Remington[]
1987-1995[]
Bumper: On a gray background, this text is shown:
FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY,
PLEASE ADJUST YOUR VCR
TRACKING CONTROL.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This was found on Miracle Ear: Hearing Loss & You. Also seen on the 1995 Remington release of An Important Message: The Safe Use & Care of Your New Firearm. It also appears on Hometime VHS releases.
New Line Home Entertainment[]
1996[]
Bumper: Same as New Line's other bumpers, except the text here reads:
This Film Has Been
Duplicated in Extended
Play Mode. Please Adjust
Your Tracking Accordingly.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This was found on the 1996 VHS of Return of the Street Fighter, appearing right after the warning screen.
New Age Video[]
1987[]
.png){kind=link}
Bumper: On a black background, this text is shown:
FOR BEST PICTURE QUALITY
PLEASE ADJUST YOUR
TRACKING CONTROL
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: This was found on the 1987 VHS of Gift Wrapped.
CineRail[]
Mid-Late 1990s[]
Bumper: On a black background, we see the following text in the center:
In order to obtain best
picture quality from your
video, you may find it
necessary to adjust the
tracking control on your
VCR and the picture
settings of your TV.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: None.
Availability: Seen on CineRail releases in the UK.