...DVDs and VHS tapes? how can tell if your old VCR is damaging your VHS tapes or your old DVD player is damaging your DVDs?

is there a way to tell?

please explain what you can
..and how common this is?

one other question...why some DVDs from UK or Europe will not play on DVD or VHS players from USA? is there one that is inexpensive that will play any?

please explain what you can


thanks for your answers!
ALSO, WHEN REWINDING ,,IS IT NORMAL FOR SOME VCRS TO REWIND EXTRA FAST? (IT SOUNDS NEARLY LIKE A PLANE GETTING READY TO CRASH TO THE GROUND WHEN REWINDING VHS TAPES..AND WAS WONDERING IF IT IS GOING TO DAMAGE THEM TO REWIND THIS FAST AND IS THIS NORMAL? HOW TO AVOID THIS?