Problems Playing Recorded VCR Tapes?

I am having an unusual problem with our 2 new digital VCRs (LG and JVC). All of a sudden, the picture will freeze and the voice will continue normally (LG). Or (JVC) both the picture and sound will stop (picture freeze, no sound). These were recorded on digital televisions. I managed to get the LG working again by unplugging it from the power source and then turning it on again. I thought to do this because when I pressed the eject button, the machine didn't respond. However, the JVC did not have a machine freezing up problem.

I contacted both companies - didn't get any suggestion except to return the VCR. I already returned one and replaced it, only to have this continue. The extended warranties I purchased will not allow multiple exchanges. Could something in the VCR tapes (blank tapes I've been using to record on for a couple of years) be triggering this freeze, like a SEARCH/INDEX button that was pressed years ago but to which the tape is still mis-responding? If so, how do I erase the SEARCH/INDEX signal?

And yet, I can play my tapes with no problems at all for weeks, and then the freezing thing happens. I am mystified. I have about 40 tapes that I record on, and have no idea at present which ones were acting up. I have recorded on tapes that did act up, and the later recording did not exhibit any problems. I am recording free, over the air television. We have a large analog antenna on the roof that receives the digital signals beautifully when we are watching a broadcast. Thanks.

Holly from Richardson, TX