VHS tape repair question.

1. 76

   brimancandyposted 14 years ago

   I know this form of media is outdated, but, I have a VHS tape that I need to fix. I was getting ready to transfer this VHS tape to CD, when the tape got stuck in the VCR and it broke.
   
   I was just wondering if anyone had any success in fixing a broken VHS tape. I saw a few repair tips on the web, but they aren't decsriptive enopugh. Duh! I just realized I might find what I'm looking for a the library!
   
   Anyways, I'll post here for now. I'm going to be offline for the next week or so on another camping trip. So, I will hope to find some good advice when I return.
   
   Thanks.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Hawkers Bazaarposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I once fixed a broken cassette tape by using 3M scotch tape. I think it is called 'magic tape' because it is clear when applied. I used this tape on both sides of the break and trimmed the sides. The cassette still played and obviously there was distortion at the break point, but it still worked. This should be enough to get you to convert the tape to CD. Good luck.

      replyreport
      1. 69

         darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I'd follow that tip.
         
         Though you don't actually need to tape up both sides, just do it on the inside, on the side that the magnetic head doesn't read.
         
         I used to have a VHS repair kit. You'd overlap the two ends (clamping down the tape, though you don't really have to worry about that) and cut it on a diagonal, and then put the tape on it. The same applies to audio cassettes.
         
         When moving recently I found the kit, at least part of it. I should dig it up and write an old school video/audio cassette repair tutorial.
         
         I just have to find a couple of old VHS and C90 tapes to demonstrate on!

         replyreport
      2. 66

         Daniel Carterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I've repaiared many a video cassette, having raised kids and babysat many more, with Scotch tape. Just get a razor blade and trim the edges flush with the width of the tape and you're good to go. No problemas thereafter.

         replyreport
   2. 52

      pauliworld32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Try the source below. It discusses the problems and repair options for VHS tape.
      
      
      http://www.digital-scrapbooking-storage … epair.html

      replyreport
   3. 61

      dvdyourmemoriesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Found a great guide detailing the process of video tape repair:
      Check it out
      
      http://www.dvdyourmemories.com/blog/201 … air-guide/

      replyreport
2. 76

   brimancandyposted 14 years ago

   I think my brother used to have one of those kits for his reel to reel tape player. Back when the audio recorders looked like movie projectors. We used to have so much fun with that thing.
   And, I'm sure we must have spliced it a zillion times.
   
   Those old audio reels were big. They were then followed by the 8 track tape player, followed by the cassette player. Leave it to manufacturers to take something easy to fix, and make it very complicated to fix, so you have to constantly go out and guy another one.
   
   Well, this tape can't be replaced. So thanks for the info!

   replyreport
3. 72

   ddsurfscaposted 14 years ago

   I have always fixed ours, and cassettes also by trimming any damaged tape, splice the ends together, and I always used just plain old scotch tape, as little as you can, but make sure its going to be sturdy enough to hold.  If the tape looks stretched at all cut that piece out for it will just get caught and break again.

   replyreport
4. 82

   timorousposted 14 years ago

   In professional recording studios of yesteryear (before digital recording became the norm), they used a splicing block designed for each different tape width.  They also used a special 'splicing' tape, which is much like scotch tape except it's white, it's thinner and has a special adhesive that will remain stuck to the tape for many years.
   
   Recording tape is (usually) shinier on one side than the other.  The duller side is facing outward on the VHS tape cassette.  This is the side that gets recorded on.  DON'T APPLY SCOTH TAPE ON THIS SIDE!!
   
   If the break in the tape will not go back together perfectly, you need a very sharp, unmagnetized razor blade.  If you don't have the splicing block, lay the two ends of tape against a ruler or straight edge (dull side facing down), overlap the broken ends as little as possible.  Make sure the tape ends aren't twisted, or it won't wind or play properly.
   
   Use a piece of tape to temporarily hold the overlapped ends together, and make a straight, slightly diagonal cut (across the tape) through both pieces.  Carefully remove the temporary piece of tape.  Line up the two cut ends as precicely as you can.  Then apply a new, short piece of tape across the join.  Also, make sure to carefully cut off any excess tape along both edges.
   
   Carefully wind the tape back into the cassette casing.  You should be able to play it with only a slight glitch at the cut point.  If you value the recording and can't get it from some other source, you can transfer it to your computer (if you have a video capture card), and make a DVD out of it.
   
   Hope that all made sense.  If you're still not sure, send me an email.

   replyreport
   1. 76

      brimancandyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If I ever fix the tape, I plan to transfer it to DVD. In fact, I was in the process of getting ready to transfer it to DVD, when it broke midway during a rewind. I may end up having to split it into two vhs cases, and then recording it to a dvd in two parts.

      replyreport
5. 81

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   open it up with a popper

   replyreport