Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape

Subject: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 07:32 AM

EL Thicko here, (my new name).

I am trying to repair a broken music video, i.e. joining the tape back together and suddenly realised that unlike audio tape, BOTH sides are shiny. Can someone please tell me which is the playing side so I don't put the sticky on the wrong side. I realise this is very technical and requires a brain much more intelligent than mine which is why I rely on Mudcat so much, (so many intelligent people here).

Thanks in advance.


whb

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: fiddler
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 08:23 AM

Don't do it - you will kn*ck*r the machine!!!!!

The heads on video machines are a lot more delicate than those on sound systems.

Other folk are bound to disagree.

Get it copied to DVD!

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 08:29 AM

Thanks fiddler, but I can't play it to put it on a DVD until the tape is joined together again.

whb

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From:
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:01 AM

I would suggest taking it to a professional video place. One who handles cinema type machines. It can't cost that much. I've had to do things like that, but was lucky enough to have friends in that sort of field fix it for me. (I'm also fumble fingered)

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: Jim McLean
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:27 AM

In a VHS cassette the side facing you carries the data as this is the side which makes contact with the spinning head. I have spliced/joined such a tape before, putting the sticky tape on the inside but the join must be good. I wouldn't recommend playing the tape more that once after joining ... if atall!

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:39 AM

Thanks Jim, I'm hoping to just play it once to put it on DVD, now I'll have a go, fingers crossed.

Thanks all for the info.

whb

Subject: RE: Tech: Splicing VIDEO tape
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 10:40 AM

You are taking a HUGE risk to your VHS deck. As Fiddler points out, the heads on a VHS deck are very delicate. Unlike audio tape, VHS tape wraps around a head. When you add splicing tape (please don't use anything like scotch tape!) you are adding to the thickness of the VHS. That is very likely to get wrapped around the heads and you will end up with a boat anchor instead of a VHS deck.

I would strongly suggest looking for a DVD of the tape you have in question.   Try someplace like Elderly Instruments.   

The alternative is to roll the dice, but be prepared to spend $$$ for a new VHS deck and the loss of your VHS tape.