By: Todd Wheatley
(c) IQ-2k   04-30-14

Videotape has roots beyond the 1950s beginning with audio record- ing and mainframe computer memory storage. Finally in the late 1970s the various technologies merged and gave birth to videotape. Like the present day Blueray phenomena two competing systems fought for market share. For those who don't know Beta lost just like HDDVD. Ironically digital media is no more reliable than videotape. Scratches on the DVD kill a movie just as easily as dust on a video- tape. Therefore usage and care are the key for media longevity.

Years ago the "cleaning tape" was the method of choice to keep video recorders operating properly. I was never a big fan of that method and have not used a "cleaning tape" for nearly two decades. Instead I employ proper care and handling. As noted in other articles my wife and I have an extensive collection of movies, TV shows, music videos, travelogues, documentaries, and so on. Over 3000 and growing. A large portion of that collection is video- tape. Fortunately we learned the secrets that have kept our tapes running more than 20 years and counting. In fact we continue to enjoy watching some of oldest movies on tape.

The first and most important secret ... REWIND ... EVERY TIME. We are not OCD or anal in this regard and we sometimes wait for 2 or 3 weeks, but we always rewind. We have a rewind and reshelf stack that we attend every so often.

The magnetic video tape attracts dust so proper storage is essential. "Clamshell" tape cases are the best and came standard with Disney movies. However the vast majority of mainstream tape cases incor- porated vent holes that allows dust to penetrate. From there the dust travels onto the VCR read heads causing a static like "read" failure. To correct the failure a "cleaning tape" would remove the dust for normal viewing to continue.

The offending "dirty" tape while not completely ruined will continue to cause "read" failures when the dust portion is reached. Over time, however, the dust will travel along tape and ruin it. So WHY REWIND? ... the videotape lead is non-magnetic and will not attract dust. Nevertheless years on a shelf may find some dust has accum- ulated on the lead. This brings me to the second big secret in VHS longevity. FAST FORWARD over the lead.

Virtually all commercial VHS "movies" have an auto-run feature. As soon as you plug in the "movie" the VCR read heads engage and the "movie" starts. Don't be lazy!! As soon as you plug in the movie HIT the STOP BUTTON and fast forward over the lead. There's nothing there anyway ; just old previews, PSAs, or commercials.

Don't risk dust contamination!

Obviously accidents do happen. If dust gets makes its way to your VCR do not search for a store-bought "cleaning tape" just use a regular VHS tape that will not viewed again as your cleaning tape. Dust from the read heads will transfer to the videotape. I use the FAST FORWARD - PLAY setting. After that label the tape and set it aside for possible future cleanings.

The final trick involves "tape drag". Very old tapes may have been run through several different tape players over the years causing the tape to be tight or loose on the spool. The result is "tape drag". Most, but not all VCRs have a TRACKING feature to alleviate the effects of drag. Sometimes, however, the problem is too severe and you may think the tape is ruined ... maybe not :-)

BEFORE PLAYING very old tapes : STOP - then FAST FORWARD and REWIND. This sets the tension of the tape to your VCR so you may need to do it twice. If the problem is not corrected try another VCR. Sometimes this problem arises in the middle of a movie -- you can try to fast forward and rewind, but it may be easier to STOP & REWIND only very slightly. Say 1 or 2 seconds. Again this will reset the tape tension for normal play to resume.

I hope this has been informative and that you will read more of my articles on movies and movie collecting.


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