FAQs & Links

Q: If I have a tape that has been accidently erased or taped over, can I recover the original recording?
A: No. This is the most common question asked by home users. The only organization known to have technology that can recover even partial amounts of erased or taped over material is the FBI. The technology they use is classified and is not available to the public.

Q: Why don't my tapes last forever?
A: Recording tape was never actually designed to last for a long time: it was designed to be easy to use and to copy. Even in storage, unused tapes will decay over time. The primary cause of this decay is a chemical process called binder hydrolysis. In this process moisture, usually absorbed from the surrounding air, interacts with and breaks down molecules in the recording and backing layers of the tape. The severity and speed of the decay is determined by temperature and relative humidity (RH).

Q: How long can I expect my tape to last?
A: The variables involved in this question are so numerous that no single answer can possibly be correct. However, as a general guideline:

• If you have professional quality tape from a major manufacturer and keep it in a dry environment that is comfortable for you, it should last at least ten years.
• If you keep tape in a stable, controlled environment that is slightly too cold and too dry for a person to be comfortable in, your tape should last for at least fifty years.
• If tape is of a totally unknown brand or is miniaturized there is no real life expectancy: consider yourself lucky every time it still works!

Q: Are the new digital tapes less subject to disasters than the old analog formats?
A: No! The new tapes are much more delicate. The smaller size, higher recording density and new metal particle formulations make modern tape formats much more susceptible to disasters. SPECS BROS. has developed special techniques to deal with these problems.

Q: Do my old tapes need to be cleaned before being copied?
A: If there is any evidence of dust, debris or damage on your tapes they should be cleaned. Testing by both manufacturers and government labs shows that very small particles on the surface of a tape can interfere with the signal during copying. Cleaning by a professional can also identify serious tape problems that, left untreated, may cause permanent damage.

Q: Why do my old tapes stick or squeal when I try to play them?
A: The most probable cause is binder hydrolysis. This is a chemical breakdown of the tape, usually due to interaction with moisture in the air over a period of time. The result is a sticky residue on the surface of the tape. The problem occurs because the tape has been stored in an area that is too damp and too warm. Tapes with binder hydrolysis can usually be fixed.

Q: If I have a disaster at home can my personal collection be restored?
A: Recovery techniques used on professional tapes can also be used on most consumer formats. However, some techniques do not work as well on miniaturized tapes, such as 8mm video. If your tapes are easily replaced store-bought copies, it is often less expensive to replace the tapes than to pay for professional restoration.

Q: If I don't copy my old tapes right away am I likely to lose them all in a few years?
A: While it is true that a lot of old tapes are deteriorating, much of the panic about making copies immediately is marketing hype: someone wants you to spend a lot of money right now! If your tape is 20 years old and still plays, it will probably play next year. This doesn't mean that you should do nothing! Tapes do deteriorate. At the very least, you should have some of your tapes tested to determine their condition. Also make sure that your tapes are in a good, stable environment. Proper storage can slow decay and give you time to formulate a long-range plan.

Q: My tapes got wet. What should I do?
A: Wet tapes often require decontamination. Improper drying causes tapes to deform, break, stick together, and may increase chemical decay. Get your wet tapes to a restoration specialist fast.

Q: Can wet tapes be "freeze-dried" like some paper materials?
A: Freeze-drying has been used on tapes but it is not recommended. Certain chemical components of tape are damaged at freezing temperatures. The procedure can also leave dried contaminants, which interfere with playback, on the tape surface.

Q: There's fungus growing on my tapes. What should I do?
A: Do not play tapes with fungus! This can damage the tapes, contaminate your machine and may even throw enough spores into the air to affect you. Fungus can be removed but this is not something you should try yourself. If you find fungus on a tape, isolate the tape to avoid spreading contamination and call a specialist. Also examine the area where the tapes are stored: it is probably too humid.

Q: What does "exercising" tapes mean and do my tapes need it?
A: "Exercising" is the periodic winding and rewinding of tapes. It is recommended to reduce print-through, an "echo" effect, that occurs on analog audio tapes in storage. If you have analog audio tapes, it can be important to exercise your tapes on a regular basis. Exercising has not been shown to have a beneficial effect on any other type of tape.

LINKS

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
http://www.ansi.org

Conservation On Line (CoOL)
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/

Library of Congress (TV/Videotape Study for Congress)
http://lcweb.loc.gov/film

National Media Lab/National Technology Alliance
http://www.nta.org/MediaStability