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  1. Member
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    Specifically, I'm talking about VHS tapes. The proper way is to have the entire length of tape on one spool and stored vertically, but does it matter which spool the tape is on (top or bottom)?

    Thanks!
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  2. Member Cornucopia's Avatar
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    Sort of. Matters a WHOLE LOT for analog audio tape, because it is recorded longitudinally. Much less so for analog video tape, because is is recorded helically (makes diagonals on the tape). In both cases, the way that magnetic fields imprint on adjacent layers/rolls means that when you store tapes in their common/default state (heads-out, aka spooled to the beginning on the source reel) gives you pre-echo, whereas storing tapes tails-out, aka spooled to the end on the take-up reel, gives you post-echo. And psychologically, pre-echo is MUCH more noticeable than post-echo.
    Because of the azimuth/polarity-type recording used in newer analog formats (as well as digital formats), either is nearly eliminated. And with digital formats, which use error-correction code, this is basically completely eliminated.

    So, upshot is: if you want to be anal-retentive about it, store them (VHS) tails out and then rewind before playback. Otherwise, heads-out is fine.

    Similarly, if you wanted to be a perfectionist about it, you would also "smooth-fastwind + rewind" (maybe even more than once) to exercise the tape first before playback. This helps with physically loosening the tape from its packed state making it less prone to tracking errors (supposed to redistribute/replenish the tape lubricant also, for the same reason).

    Scott
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    Very helpful, thank you! One question, by "smooth-fastwind + rewind", do you mean fast forwarding/rewinding it while it's playing?
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    Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets View Post
    Very helpful, thank you! One question, by "smooth-fastwind + rewind", do you mean fast forwarding/rewinding it while it's playing?
    N o !
    Last edited by sanlyn; 19th Mar 2014 at 04:23.
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    Originally Posted by sanlyn View Post
    Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets View Post
    Very helpful, thank you! One question, by "smooth-fastwind + rewind", do you mean fast forwarding/rewinding it while it's playing?
    N o !
    I assume then that doing that is bad for the tapes from your message. How does one "smooth-fastwind + rewind" then? My main VCR just speeds up when rewinding after a few seconds.
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    Wen the VCR is stopped, hit the "forward" button or turn the "forward" knob. Forward the tape to the end. Then with VCR still stopped, rewind to the beginning. Eject the tape and have a look at it. If the tape is wound onto the reel with a lot of bumps and ridges in the winding, then forward-to-end and rewind-to-start again. Without playing. Two times should be enough.
    Last edited by sanlyn; 19th Mar 2014 at 04:24.
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    Thanks for the info everyone!
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    Originally Posted by Cornucopia View Post
    So, upshot is: if you want to be anal-retentive about it, store them (VHS) tails out and then rewind before playback. Otherwise, heads-out is fine.
    Normal (non-HiFi) audio tracks are linear just like audiotape, so tails-out storage and rewinding before playback will decrease audible print-through.
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  9. Member Cornucopia's Avatar
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    @JVRaines, Yeah, pretty sure that's what I said above.

    @OP, "smooth fastwind/rewind" is a feature only available to pro reel-to-reel audio recorders and a few highest-end VTRs. In that mode, it (usually) keeps the capstan applied, but does not engage pressure of the tape onto the surface of the R/PB heads. Then it winds at a steady pace, not "accellerating" like most do. This keeps a mild amount of tension in the tape to keep it straight and to wind in a nice smooth pack (not to loose nor too tight) but doesn't incur head wear nor tape wear, and it doesn't risk the possibility of tape snapping (which happens sometimes during regular winds).
    Since you're not likely to encounter it, I probably shouldn't have mentioned it...

    Scott
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    Originally Posted by Cornucopia View Post
    @OP, "smooth fastwind/rewind" is a feature only available to pro reel-to-reel audio recorders and a few highest-end VTRs. In that mode, it (usually) keeps the capstan applied, but does not engage pressure of the tape onto the surface of the R/PB heads. Then it winds at a steady pace, not "accellerating" like most do. This keeps a mild amount of tension in the tape to keep it straight and to wind in a nice smooth pack (not to loose nor too tight) but doesn't incur head wear nor tape wear, and it doesn't risk the possibility of tape snapping (which happens sometimes during regular winds).
    Since you're not likely to encounter it, I probably shouldn't have mentioned it...

    Scott

    Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for the clarification!

    One more question, does it matter how you store the tapes as follows?

    Last edited by MasterOfPuppets; 24th Feb 2014 at 12:53.
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  11. Member Cornucopia's Avatar
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    No, but the first one is more likely to topple over by accident, being top heavy.

    Scott
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    Originally Posted by Cornucopia View Post
    No, but the first one is more likely to topple over by accident, being top heavy.

    Scott
    Thank you and everyone else for the information!
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    The tape windings in the images in post #10 are uneven, with many humps and bumps. Tapes feed into the tape path more smoothly if they are rewound to the end, then to the beginning, without playing, so that the windings are more smooth. This is known as "packing" the tape. MAnmy people use this technique before capturing a tape, in order to get smoother playback for digital transfers.

    Also , if Mr. Monk saw those images he'd have a stroke.
    Last edited by sanlyn; 19th Mar 2014 at 04:24.
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  14. It defently makes a difference for tapes that havent been played in many years thats for sure.
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  15. Member Cornucopia's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by sanlyn View Post
    The tape windings in the images in post #10 are uneven, with many humps and bumps. Tapes feed into the tape path more smoothly if they are rewound to the end, then to the beginning, without playing, so that the windings are more smooth. This is known as "packing" the tape. MAnmy people use this technique before capturing a tape, in order to get smoother playback for digital transfers.

    Also , if Mr. Monk saw those images he'd have a stroke.
    We kind of went over that already. I'm pretty sure the example photo given was mean to visually choose between top-resting vs. bottom-resting vertical storage. Esp. since that is the same photo, just rotated 180°.

    Scott
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    We realize that. Talking about the uneven winding on the reel.
    Last edited by sanlyn; 19th Mar 2014 at 04:24.
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    Originally Posted by VideoChunkster View Post
    It defently makes a difference for tapes that havent been played in many years thats for sure.
    What makes a difference?
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    Repacking the tapes can often make for smoother playback, especially with cheap VCR's.
    Last edited by sanlyn; 19th Mar 2014 at 04:24.
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    Ah, got it.
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