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Archive for the ‘Video Tapes’ Category
Saturday, November 19th, 2011
Has this ever happened to you? You insert a videotape into your VCR or camcorder. You press play…and hear a sickening sound. Nervous, you quickly press eject. The cassette begins to come out, but both ends of the plastic videotape remain snarled inside the machine. It can be quite scary when your precious videotape gets caught–or worse, shredded!
 While the reasons for VCR tape consumption varies, the most common cause is a defective pinch roller inside the VCR or camcorder. As shown in the diagram at right, a pinch roller presses up against the plastic tape as it exits the cassette shell, feeding it into a rotating capstan. All video recorders, from the earliest Betamax and VHS units to recent MiniDV cams, use a pinch roller as part of the tape-feed mechanism.
A pinch roller made of rubber, which means the part can change shape as it ages. As the rubber hardens and deforms over time, it naturally does not do so in an even fashion–resulting in a slightly misshapen pinch roller. This is exacerbated in the smaller tape formats (MiniDV and 8mm), where even the slightest distortion in the rubber can create problems.
If the pinch roller in your VCR or camera is beginning to deform, you may first notice a tape fluttering upon playback. As the problem becomes worse, the roller can damage the physical edge of a tape, since the roller is now skewering the feed slightly higher or lower through the tape path. In serious situations, the tape will be forced out of the feed altogether–and that’s when your tape can become physically creased or “eaten” by the machine.
Of all the parts in a VCR or video camera, the pinch roller is usually the first to require replacement. A quick look at the pinch roller in your unit may indicate the level of age: If the pinch roller appears shiny or glossy, that is a bad sign. New or fresh pinch rollers are dull and lack sheen. They only become shiny because of wear–and this is not a coating that can be wiped away. Only a new, replacement pinch roller will fix the problem.
So don’t immediately trash your VCR if it eats a tape! All it may require is a new pinch roller. Have your VCR serviced by a professional repair shop, and your unit should be good to go for many years.
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
A lot of transfer companies overstate the importance of transferring video tapes. “Transfer it now…before it fades away forever!” This type of marketing is designed to scare you to death that your precious home movies will magically become unplayable–maybe by tomorrow!
The truth is that with proper care, video tapes can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years–maybe even longer. But since videotapes are comprised of degradable elements, they are particularly susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures (hot and cold), humidity and water issues, and repeated playback. Your tapes probably won’t be unwatchable tomorrow, but when one or more of these issues affects a tape, you do run the risk of losing your video memories permanently. And that’s not hyperbole.
Recent situation: A customer contacted us to ask if we would be able to transfer her family’s old Betamax tapes. She had been planning to have the conversions done for a long time, and recently decided to take the plunge. Here’s the rub: the tapes had been stored in a backyard shed for the past ten years. That means they were exposed to the cold of winter, the hot of summer, and any moisture that had seeped into the shed over the years. In addition, before they were placed in storage, the customer mentioned they had been watched over and over, since they were the only copies of the family’s home videos. (!)
We took a look at the tapes anyway, because we always try to preserve a customer’s videos, even if it seems tough. Naturally, the tapes were difficult for our Betamax decks to handle. Some of the tapes didn’t even have cases, so dirt and dust had gotten mixed into the cassette shell. A few of the shells were noticeably warped.
 And to make matters worse, the tapes were visibly losing oxide. Have you ever flipped open a video tape cassette and seen the actual black plastic tape that threads through the VCR? The “black” on the tape is the oxide, which is where the magnetic particles containing the video and audio are held. If and when the oxide begins to flake off, the tape returns to its initial clear appearance. (At right is a photo that shows how it looks when the black oxide flakes off the originally-clear plastic videotape.)
Some of these tapes had stretches of tape that were completely clear–none of the oxide was even there anymore. On some of them, we could even see the particles drifting around inside the cassette shell.
We were able to restore some of the video on these tapes, but not all of it–and some of it was very unstable and jittery. This customer’s story should serve as a cautionary tale to those who think they have forever to transfer their videos. You might. But do you want to take that chance?
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Have you ever noticed that your VCR or camcorder has an option to select different recording modes? Most often, these modes will be called SP or EP. On certain units, you will also see LP or SLP. But all you really need to know is this:
Always use SP!!!
 SP is an abbreviation for “standard play.” SP is the best mode to use for videotape recording because it will provide the clearest and most stable picture, both on your VCR or camcorder as well as other decks. On VHS and 8mm/Hi8 tapes, using SP will enable you to fit 2 hours of video on a single tape. On Mini DV and Digital 8, the SP maximum is one hour per tape. SP was the original recording mode developed by JVC for VHS recording, and the first pair of heads on a VCR or camcorder is always devoted specifically to SP.
But what about LP, EP, and SLP? What are they, and why shouldn’t you use them?
Let’s start with LP, short for “long play.” You rarely see LP mode on VCRs these days, but the setting did exist, primarily on Panasonic VCRs. Back in the dark ages of the VHS v. Betamax format war, the one advantage Betamax had was its ability to record 3 hours on a single tape. VHS was still limited to only 2 hours per tape. So Panasonic developed the LP mode, which could fit 4 hours of video on a single tape. JVC, the original manufacturer of VHS, was furious with Panasonic, which had previously agreed to not develop a lower-quality, longer-recording mode. (But ironically, the development of LP played a large role in VHS’s eventual triumph over Betamax.)
However, the tradeoff is that LP provides lower picture quality than SP. In order to fit twice as much video on the same amount of videotape, the video tracks have to be packed closer together and the tape has to be pulled through the VCR at half speed. Eventually, four-head VCRs were developed to mitigate these problems. One set of heads, at a wide width, are used for SP, and provide optimum picture quality. The other set of heads are used for the lower-quality speeds (LP and EP/SLP) and prioritize on tape economy. But because this second set of heads are narrower–to accommodate the slower tape speed–there is a reduction in video picture quality as well.
JVC retaliated against Panasonic by developing the 6-hour recording mode. This speed can be called either EP (JVC’s term, meaning “extended play”) or SLP (Panasonic’s term, building on their LP terminology and meaning “super long play”). The principles behind EP/SLP are the same as LP: the mode uses narrower heads and slower speeds to write video to the tape at reduced quality. In this case, because the tape is being threaded even more slowly and the video packed onto the tape even more tightly, the resulting quality is worse than LP.
Why did we specifically address the JVC-Panasonic snafu? Because this manufacturer dustup actually played a role in how certain VCRs react to tapes. JVC was so annoyed with Panasonic that it intentionally designed its VCRs to play LP tapes terribly. Even today, we often cannot use JVC VCRs to play LP tapes–they track the tapes very badly, adding a pronounced jitter and occasional dropouts. Fortunately, the same is not true of EP/SLP; in fact, Panasonic’s decks are usually better than JVC’s for EP/SLP conversion work.
LP and EP/SLP tapes–whether they are VHS, Mini DV, or something else–are almost always harder to stabilize during a video transfer. Tapes recorded in these modes are much harder to track, and can also show more color issues, audio problems, and frame skips than those recorded in SP. (Mini DV camcorder guides even caution you against recording in LP!) If the tape has been in storage for many years, that can exacerbate these problems as well.
That is why we advise to always use SP. Using LP or EP/SLP was more understandable in the past, when videotape prices could be high. But tapes are not expensive these days. Buy a few more tapes and record in SP, if you are still using a VCR or tape-based camcorder. You will end up with better-quality recordings, and gain better results if you have your tapes digitized in the future.
Thursday, March 31st, 2011
For such a popular video tape format, VHS cassettes could definitely be a lot of trouble! Have you ever experienced the joy of a tape getting caught in a VCR? Or a tape that manually ejects as soon as you insert it? Or better yet, have you ever ejected a tape only to find out that the tape is partially out of the shell and all crinkled?
When these things happen, you may need to manually rewind or unwind your VHS tape. Luckily, that’s not too difficult a task.
 If you try to do this, you’ll notice quickly that the white tape wheels will not turn. They are locked on purpose. To unlock the reels, find a tool like a pencil or small screwdriver, and press the tip into the socket on the back of the VHS tape. Every VHS cassette has a button that, when pressed, will release the tape reels. Press the tool into the socket, and turn the wheels either with your fingers or with a small coin (a dime usually works well). The reels should begin to turn.
To more easily see the plastic tape, just flip the top cover open (using the release on the side of the tape). Use Scotch tape to secure it.
This process makes it simple to rewind a tape to the beginning (clear your schedule if it’s long!) or extract a crinkled tape for flattening. What if you’re still unable to turn the reels after pressing the release button? That likely indicates that there is a broken internal mechanism, or that a foreign object has become lodged inside the tape. You can unscrew the cassette and try to repair the damage, or better yet, take it to a qualified repair shop.
The great news is that even when a tape cassette is acting up, the video inside is rarely beyond repair!
Monday, March 21st, 2011
The earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan are heartbreakingly terrible–and are proving to have widespread impact beyond the Japanese shores. It’s no secret that much of the U.S.’s electronic equipment has been produced (at least in part) in Japan since the 1980s. And that doesn’t include just DVD players and DVRs, but any machine that has an electronic component, such as refrigerators. Even U.S.-made cars often have many parts that were originally manufactured in Japan.
Japan is dealing with electricity shortages and transportation nightmares, which will lead to lower production and fewer units shipped–of everything. Eventually, this situation will impact electronics in the United States. It’s likely that rebates will disappear and stock will dry up for certain items.
Even the news business is worrying, since Japan-based Sony and Panasonic are two of the largest suppliers of technology to the networks. In addition to video cameras and general video equipment, Sony and Panasonic also make the HDCam tape used in network newsgathering. But Sony’s recording media factory is located in the Sendai region of Northern Japan–not the best place for a factory right now. Other Japanese recording media companies such as Fuji and Maxell will also likely experience severe shortages.
We received an e-mail today from one of our disc suppliers warning of potential price hikes and possible shortages in blank DVD-R discs, which we use for our customers’ projects. (Timeless DVD uses JVC Taiyo Yuden discs, which prominently read “made in Japan” on the packaging.) So we have stocked up! But if you’re planning to buy some electronic equipment in the future, it may be better done sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
We have so many reasons to transfer video tapes to DVDs or files, we have to make another blog post! Here are reasons 6–10 (no more, we promise!):
6. Entertainment
Watching old video can just be plain old fun! It’s fun to re-visit vacations from years ago, or to remember what you got for Christmas in 1995. Go ahead and make fun of Aunt Janice’s horrible ’80s perm that she’d rather everyone forgot. Need more proof? A customer of ours recently e-mailed: “So glad to get the DVDs. We’ll finally have something good to watch on TV!”
 7. Space-Saving and Portable
Media is getting smaller and smaller all the time. A few DVDs take up much less space than a bunch of heavy VHS tapes–especially if those tapes aren’t completely full with video. And computer files take up virtually no physical space at all (not counting your hard drive!). When your videotapes are digitized, you can easily take the video everywhere via DVD or the Internet. Why not save all that space as soon as you can?
8. Great for Parties and Events
Having home videos on DVD provides great party entertainment for family get-togethers–especially if many of the people in the video will be there. Everyone likes to see their mug onscreen–plus, it makes your guests feel involved in the event. However, as usual, DVD is the best solution, especially if you’re having your party at a banquet facility. They usually have DVD players for guest use…but rarely VCRs!
9. Editing
It’s simple to edit your own home movies these days. The advances in computer capabilities, as well as the development of idiot-proof video editing software, has made it possible for everyone to custom-edit their home videos. But nevertheless: your videos have to be in a digital format first! When your videotapes are in a digital file format–such as AVI or MOV–it’s easy to edit your videos whenever you have the time or inclination to do so.
10. It’s Easy to Do
Right now, it’s easier to convert your tapes to DVD or files than it’s ever been. You can do it yourself. Or you can use a drugstore service. Or you can use a service like Timeless DVD, which uses the best equipment and devotes individual attention to each tape. But the bottom line is: now is the best time, when your tapes are likely still in decent shape and technology has reached its apex. Don’t wait another five or ten years!
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
There are many good reasons to transfer your video tapes to DVD or digital files. And now…five of the best ones:
1. Preservation
This is the number one reason to transfer all types of media, from videos to photos and slides, to a digital format. Fortunately, it is now very simple to digitize analog and print media formats and preserve them. DVDs are estimated to last 25–50 years with proper care, and since the information on them is digital, the video can be easily converted to other formats with no quality loss. And AVI or MOV files can last indefinitely, as long as the hard drive that contains them is functional. So digitization offers the assurance that your video will be accessible forever.
2. Deterioration of the Source Media
This reason goes along with #1 above. Tapes were never intended to last forever. In general, VHS tapes start to degrade within 10-25 years. Lifespan varies from format to format; some tapes will wear out sooner, while others can last longer. Tape longevity is largely based on factors such as wear, temperature, and storage conditions. But because tapes are made of materials that deteriorate, this will happen eventually.
3. VCRs are Available Now
Video is becoming more and more digitally-based. Even now, it’s tough to buy a new VCR or tape-based camcorder. And likewise, as the years pass, it will become more and more difficult to find equipment that will play old tapes. Like many video transfer companies, Timeless DVD only handles tape formats from 1980 and on (VHS, Betamax, and their descendants). There are tape formats that are older than this, but it is difficult to impossible to find the machines and maintain them properly. Eventually, this will be true of our current tape formats as well; it’s already hard to keep Betamaxes going! So it’s best to digitize your tapes now–while working machines are still available and there are enough technicians who know how to fix them. In ten or twenty years, this may not be the case.
 4. Video is Great for Family Time
Do you spend time together as family? Wouldn’t it be great to add a new activity? Once your tapes are digitized, it’s easy to view them together. Pop a DVD in your player…or take it over to Grandma’s and enjoy it with her! People love to watch their family and friends on screen, and it’s a great source of shared laughter and tears. Or, convert your tapes to digital files and edit them in iMovie as a family. Select the transitions, titles, and background music together. This is a great family activity for parents and kids!
5. Reconnecting with Friends
Did you shoot video when you went on vacation with friends–either in high school, college, or afterwards? As time passes and our families grow, it’s easy to lose touch with the friends with whom you once shared amazing experiences. But if you pull out that tape and digitize it, you can watch your forgotten adventures…and even share the video with these friends via DVD copies or YouTube. Sometimes all you need is a little video reminder to break the ice!
Actually, there are about five more reasons we can think of to transfer video as well…so check back in a few days!
Sunday, October 17th, 2010
It’s easy to understand the differences between VHS, Betamax, Mini DV, and other tapes. Not only are those shell sizes very different, but even the width of the magnetic tape changes from format to format. But what about those “8mm” type tapes? How many variations are there, and what makes them different?
 First, there are only three variations of the 8mm tape format: Video8 (also called 8mm), Hi8, and Digital 8. The three formats share a number of characteristics. First, and most obvious, the cassette shell is exactly the same size between the three, measuring 95 cm x 63 cm x 15 cm. The magnetic tape is also the same width: 8mm (hence the nickname). All three formats were developed by Sony to compete with JVC’s VHS and VHS-C camcorder video tapes.
The main differences can be found in the actual recording ability. Video8 is the earliest of the three, and was introduced in the mid-1980s. This is the format that is also termed “8mm.” Like its VHS competitors, Video8 is an analog format that produces about 240 horizontal lines on the screen. A Video8 tape can hold up to 2 hours of SP video, which gave it an advantage over VHS-C camcorders back in the day.
Sony then released an upgraded version, Hi8 (“high-band 8″) in the early 1990s, which was intended to compete with S-VHS. Hi8′s main difference from Video8 is that it produces 420 horizontal lines of resolution on the screen, which results in a sharper and more detailed picture. Some Hi8 units also could record and play back PCM audio, an upgrade from Video8′s AFM stereo. A smaller upgrade to Hi8, XR (“extended resolution”) recording, was introduced in 1998, but is not considered a separate format.
While Video8 and Hi8 are both analog formats that are mainly distinguished by their respective video resolutions, the third and final format in the 8mm line was a leap forward. Sony released Digital 8 in 1998, and while Digital 8 uses the same shell and tape as the earlier 8mm formats, its recording is vastly different. As its name implies, Digital 8 writes to magnetic tape using the digital DV codec. As such, its internal workings are more similar to Mini DV and other digital formats than its 8mm relatives. Also unlike Video8 and Hi8, Digital 8 can only encode one hour of SP-quality video per tape.
We are often asked if one camcorder or deck can play all three formats. The answer: maybe. Video8-only camcorders and decks from the 1980s and 1990s can only play Video8. Hi8 camcorders and decks can play both Hi8 and Video8. Some Digital 8 camcorders and decks can play analog Video8 and Hi8–but not all. Digital 8 cams and decks are a great solution if you need to play back older Video8 or Hi8 tapes, but make sure you check the specifications before buying, because not all of them are backwards-compatible.
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Are your family’s home video tapes piled haphazardly in a box or stored away in an attic or basement? If so, you run the risk of losing the video on them forever!
Tapes are sturdy, but they are made of plastic and glue, materials that degrade over time. They are also prone to damage by common household irritants, such as dust and hair. Caring for your videotapes correctly is the key to a long lifespan.
Environmental Concerns
The temperature of the location in which your video tapes are stored plays the most important role in their longevity. Humidity and heat are tapes’ two greatest enemies, and should be avoided at all costs.
The reason is this: over time, normal atmospheric humidity seeps into a tape’s binder glue, causing it to expand and contract. This unavoidable occurrence is the main reason why tapes degrade. But when a video tape is stored in an environment that is particularly humid, this process accelerates. In addition, excessive heat can warp the plastic tape or distort the cassette’s shell.
Therefore, a cool and dry storage location is best. Experts recommend an ideal range of 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower floors are better since they are generally cooler, but avoid basements and cellars, which have higher humidity levels. For the same reason, stay away from any rooms that experience steam, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms. And avoid attics, due to their tendency to trap heat.
If tapes have been stored in a location that is hotter or colder than the normal environment, let them acclimate before playing them. Even slight humidity changes can cause a magnetic tape to expand and contract, which changes the tape’s physical dimensions. If you play a videotape that is affected by humidity, the altered dimensions can clog VCR playback heads and jam tapes.
Magnetic Fields
Next to environmental conditions, the second most dangerous threat to video tapes is magnetism. This is because the audio-visual information on a tape is comprised of magnetic particles. These magnetic particles are susceptible to data loss, which can be caused by anything from static shock to normal electrical fields.
Electrical fields can be found everywhere, including near TVs and home stereo components, but can also be located around a device with a large motor, such as vacuum cleaners and refrigerators. Thus, avoiding storing tapes near electric equipment. Use a cabinet or, preferably, a room separate from your entertainment center.
Video Tape Packaging
Video tapes should always be stored in their cases, which prevent airborne dust from entering a tape cassette. VCRs are very sensitive to dust and other small particles. If a speck of dirt slips underneath a cassette’s flip door, it can be picked up by the VCR’s heads during playback and can clog the deck. Foreign debris can also increase the number of magnetic particles that are rubbed off a tape when it is played, as well as dissipate a tape’s electromagnetic charges.
In addition, store tapes in an upright position, like a book on a shelf. Storing tapes flat stresses the edge of the video tape, which can eventually result in tracking errors. And never stack tapes on top of each other, since pressure can cause the plastic cassette shell to warp.
Playback Issues
Every year, the magnetic particles that comprise a tape’s audio and video wear off naturally, simply from normal decay. However, this degradation is accelerated every time a tape is played, since video heads rub off data when they pass over a tape’s surface as well.
Therefore, limit how often you watch important tapes. The best solution is to convert video to DVD, which enables you to safely watch the video while preserving the original tape. However, always, always, ALWAYS keep your original copies after you transfer tape to DVD! Never get rid of master video tapes because they will always contain the highest-quality version of your footage.
Tape Exercise
While you should limit playback, tapes can benefit from other forms of VCR exercise. Insert each of your tapes into a VCR every few years and fully fast-forward and rewind it. Exercising a videotape in this way repacks the mylar tape and relieves any accumulated stresses caused by uneven moisture absorption from normal humidity. When re-tensioning isn’t done, the tape can become stretched or warped.
Along the same lines, always rewind a tape to the beginning before putting it away. When a tape is kept rewound, the majority of the physical tape is protected because it is wrapped inside the outer layers.
Finally, maintain your VCR or camcorder, because dirty video heads are abrasive to tapes. Use a head cleaning tape to eliminate dirt on your own, and have the unit professionally cleaned at least once a year. When not in use, cover VCRs and store camcorders in camera bags to lock out dust.
All videotapes break down over time. But with proper care, you can ensure that your tapes last a lifetime–and maybe even beyond.
Sunday, August 1st, 2010
Anyone who has recorded video on a VCR has been enticed by the LP and EP (a.k.a. SLP) recording modes. Wow, 8 hours of video on a single videotape? That sounds too good to be true!
Well, actually, it is. More video content on a single tape comes at the expense of video quality. This may not seem important now, but when you watch your video in the future, you’ll wonder why it doesn’t look better! Plus, long-play settings often record sound in mono, making the audio quality poorer as well.
And most importantly, videotapes recorded in LP or EP are significantly harder to transfer to DVD. This is mostly because VCRs have trouble tracking LP or EP tapes that were originally recorded on another unit. LP and EP tapes are also more prone to dropped frames during the video conversion process.
So do yourself a favor: Just buy more tapes, and avoid using any longer-play modes if possible. Stick to SP!
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