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    • White Paper: Common Signs of ​Problem 3/4" and Beta Videocassettes
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Picture

WHITE PAPER: Common Signs of
​Problem 3/4" and Beta Videocassettes

Organizations are frequently encountering difficulties trying to play old 3/4" and Beta-oxide videocassettes. The following are ways to identify those cassettes most likely to exhibit problems.
 
¾” U-matics with “sticky shed”
 
Most ¾” with sticky shed problems will have a
RECORD DATE   between 1975  -  1985.
 
Sticky shed can jam, crease, scratch/score, damage and rip tapes -
As well as clog or damage machine heads.

 
¾” Tapes from ’75 – ’85 that almost always have sticky shed are:

“MADE IN SWITZERLAND” ​
   (shed usually severe)
Picture
(Identified on tape door only)
 AGFA  ​
(shed usually very bad) 
Picture
(Identified on door, label or shell)
 SONY
(shed usually bad) ​
Picture
(White lettering on door- Note: Sony with blue lettering does not usually have sticky shed)

SONY ¾”with sticky shed
​often 
smell like “crayons” 
or 
“wax”
 “MADE IN SWITZERLAND” ¾”
or 
AGFA often smell like “dirty socks
”
**************************************************************************************
Another ¾” tape from ’75 – ’85 that has sticky shed is:

AMPEX
(shed usually very bad to severe)
Picture
AMPEX cassettes can be
black, grey or
black bottom w / clear grey top-
(as in picture)
black bottom w / clear grey top
will almost always have
sticky shed
 

AMPEX ¾”often marked with: BCA

AMPEX  ¾” with sticky shed usually HAS NO SMELL!
¾” U-matics with “white powder”
 
A common problem with SCOTCH or 3M tapes from 1975– 1985 is WHITE POWDER.
White powder does not cause tapes to stick but scratches tapes, blocks signal and causes major head clogs.

(Note: Tapes that are subject to “sticky shed” can also have white powder)
SCOTCH or 3M ​
Picture
Cassettes can be white or Green/Gray-Green/Gray cassettes are more likely to have white powder.
Identifying Code ​
Picture
Back of Scotch/3M cassette usually says UCA
Inside of 3/4” Deck ​
Picture
Inside of 3/4" deck after running tape with white powder (Deck cannot be cleaned with "cleaning cassette.")
*************************************************************************************************
Betacam (oxide only) tape with “sticky shed” 
Most Betacam tapes with sticky shed are not associated with a particular record date.
While some SONY Betacam (BLUE shell) may have sticky shed, most appear to be OK.

 
The Betacam tapes that almost always have sticky shed are in RED cassettes.
AMPEX 
Betacam usually have sticky shed. 
AMPEX
Picture
Actual AMPEX Betacam tape
that jammed, mangled, stretched
and ripped when played before
​cleaning and treatment.
STICKY SHED ​
Picture
Sticky shed residue on tape at
left that caused cassette to jam
​and seriously clog heads
(Deck cannot be cleaned
​with "cleaning cassette.")
   *All tapes with physical damage should be repaired before playback* ​

​SPECS BROS., LLC
For more information:
Call (973) 777-5055 or
E-mail: admin@specsbros.com
Download a PDF of This White Paper
© 2006-2016 SPECS BROS., LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us History
    • About Us Clients
    • About Us Client Comments
  • Archival Transfer
    • Archival Transfer Basics
    • Archival Transfer Getting Started
    • Archival Transfer Commercial Services
    • Archival Transfer Consumer Services
  • Disaster Recovery
    • Disaster Recovery Services
    • Disaster Recovery Emergency Response
    • Disaster Recovery Magnetic Tapes Can Survive Flood Exposure
    • Disaster Recovery Institutional Disaster Response For Magnetic Tape Materials
    • Disaster Recovery Images of Flood Damaged Tapes
  • White Papers
    • White Paper: Basic Material Identification of Legacy Tapes In An Archive
    • White Paper: Basic Inspection Techniques To Sample The Condition of Magnetic Tape
    • White Paper: Dangers of Inadequate Restoration
    • White Paper: The Benefits of Tape Cleaning
    • White Paper: Common Signs of ​Problem 3/4" and Beta Videocassettes
  • Preservation
    • Preservation Basics
    • Preservation Tape Endangerment Issues
    • Preservation Minimum Tape Handling Standards
    • Preservation Effects of Moisture On Tape
    • Preservation Effects of Temperature On Tape
    • Preservation Legacy Tape Timeline
    • Preservation Video Tape Proliferation Until 2000
    • Preservation History of Tape Obsolescence
    • Preservation Standards and Recommended Practices in Print
    • Preservation FAQs
  • Contact Us