Do you have old VHS cassettes that you would like to store properly? Are you interested in converting the footage on those old cassettes to a digital format in the future? If so, then you need to understand how to store your VHS cassettes to better protect them. Additionally, you also need to be able to watch out for some of the common signs of damage.

Proper VHS Tape Storage

First, you need to take care of your VHS cassettes. As they are not stored in a digital format, the footage on them is going to be lost forever if the tapes are damaged severely. Some of the most important points that you should keep in mind include:

Always treat your cassettes with kindness. When you are done watching them, always rewind them. Furthermore, try to rewind them in a specialized machine. Try not to rewind them on your TV, as this may not be as gentle with the tape. If you leave your cassettes paused at some point in the middle of the movie, this can actually stretch the tape, leading to significant damage over time.

Pick the right location when it comes to storing your VHS cassettes. You should try to keep them in a dry, cool area, and not leave them out in a location that is humid. As a general rule, if you are comfortable in the room, there’s a good chance that you are tapes are going to be comfortable as well. If you leave your cassettes near the stove or a window that is exposed to constant sunlight, your tapes can melt or degrade from the heat.

Try to avoid dropping your VHS cassettes. Of course, everyone drops things from time to time, but if you repeatedly drop your cassettes, they are going to get damaged quickly. You should ideally treat for VHS cassette the way you treat your phone. This is a precious piece of film technology from decades in the past, and they tend to be fragile.

Try to avoid placing your tapes near anything magnetic. Magnets have the potential to destroy your tapes.

These are a few of the most important points that you should keep in mind if you are trying to take care of your cassettes. There may come a time when your cassettes do suffer some degree of damage, and in light of that, here are a few signs that you should watch out for.

VHS Damage to Watch for

When you take a look at your cassettes, they may appear damaged. Some of the most common signs of cassette damage that you should watch out for include:
Your VHS cassette tapes may deteriorate over time. Even if this appears minor, it is going to affect the quality of the footage. This may cause the image to jump around on the screen. You may also see black bars on top of the footage. If there is a loss of detail, and you notice color shifts, the tape may have deteriorated.

You may also notice that your VHS cassettes have been damaged by mold. Mold can easily grow on VHS cassettes, as shocking as this may sound, and will destroy the memories stored on these cassettes. In order to prevent the development of mold, you should always store your VHS cassettes in a cool and dry location. This way, you remove the environmental factors that are required for mold to grow.

These are a few of the most common ways that your VHS cassettes may be damaged. If you protect them properly, you should be able to prevent this damage from taking place.

Professional VHS Conversion Services

If you really want to protect your footage from being damaged, then you need to convert it to a digital format. That is where we can assist you. We are ARS Video, and we have an unparalleled level of experience when it comes to converting VHS cassettes to a digital format. We would be happy to help you as well. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you convert your VHS cassettes while preserving the original footage, please contact us today!

Safeguard your VHS tape footage from damage by converting it to a digital format. At ARS Video, we’re experts in converting VHS cassettes to digital formats. If you want to preserve your original footage, contact us now and learn more about our reliable VHS to digital conversion services!