Salvage My Old VHS tapes

[SaveTapes]

I have a real dilema and would appreciate any advice on the topic. My wife's gonna kill me.
We have a collection of VHS videos dating back to the mid 80s. I bought an adaptec video capture card and started transferring my VHS tapes to DVD. The newer tapes captured fine. However, I found that when I tried to play the pre-1990 tapes in my VCR they played fine for a few minutes and then began to slow down and eventually stop. After several attempts to rewind, ff, and play, the VCR seemed to give up and die. I'm on my third VCR. I'm just using Walmart cheapies. Based upon the discussions I've read in this excellent forum, it sounds like my tapes are shedding and gumming up the works in my VCR. I suppose I could clean the VCR; however, I'd have to clean it every 5 minutes. I'm on the verge of buying a food processor and baking my tapes; but, I want to be sure there's not a less drastic tactic I could try first. Perhaps a different type VCR that won't build up? All I need is one run and I've captured it! I'm also open to turning this over to a professional if I can find someone at a reasonable price.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm probably the 1000th person to post this problem so I apologize for this.

[anonjon]

How much do these Walmart cheapies cost? eBay is known to have great deals on very high quality VCRs. I got my Panny AG-1980 for $153 shipped. However, I don't know if your problem stems from your using Walmart VCRs; perhaps someone older and wiser than I could speak up.

[jlietz]

I'm on the verge of buying a food processor and baking my tapes

Some useful information...
http://www.videointerchange.com/damaged_tape.htm

Tape baking rates...
http://www.videointerchange.com/price_list.htm

Try calling them to find out combined baking rates. I think they charge less to group similar format types. In other words, since your tapes are all VHS they can be baked concurrently.

And no, if you're wondering, I'm not affiliated with Video Interchange.

[SaveTapes]

You can get a Walmart "cheapy" for under $100. I think the last one cost me around $70. I also bought a DVR, and I've copied my post 1990 tapes to DVD via the DVR. However, I don't want to destroy the VCR in my DVR with these old tapes; so, I'm still trying a cheap VCR and the capture card on these old tapes.
thanks for the interest!

[StuR]

Thanks for those interesting links above,
I've saved those pages and I'll have a good read later about my 'mouldy tapes problem'. I'm sorry but it will come to you all with time!

[victoriabears]

You are not being too specific about what is wrong with the vhs problem tapes, visually do they look fine, if you wind half way and flip down the top of the vhs case do they look fine?

Use a vcr that does ff without being wrapped round the head, wind them back and fro 2,3 times, loosen the poor things up if they've not been played for year, firmly, not violently, tapping the case on a hard surface can work.

Do not keep trying them in different vcr's, it will only risk worsening the condition of the tape.

[handyguy]

If they are that important, have a photo company do it.

[SaveTapes]

I've ordered a Kinyo tape rewinder/cleaner. It should arrive tomorrow. I'll try it out on one of my less precious old tapes and see if this helps. Should tell me if I've got a problem with contaminants on the tapes, or the layers sticking together.
I've read a lot of information, and I'm beginning to believe that I've got some adhesive or composite material coming off these old tapes and depositing on the guide and pinch rollers. Whatever it is, it isn't apparent by looking or feeling the rollers. However, a $6 wet/dry cleaning tape fixed the VCR as good as new after several cycles. I went to Radio Shack looking for a kit with solvent and swabs and the guy told me they don't sell them anymore. I guess there's not much demand these days. I tried one of those scotch brite towels and alcohol, but that didn't touch it.

[FulciLives]

Assuming the tapes are rewound to begin with ... FF to the end then RW to the beginning. You might even want to do this twice. Those external videotape FF/RW things are good at this.

Then try playing the tapes back and see how that goes.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[lordsmurf]

I'm on the verge of buying a food processor and baking my tapes

Some useful information...
http://www.videointerchange.com/damaged_tape.htm

Tape baking rates...
http://www.videointerchange.com/price_list.htm

Try calling them to find out combined baking rates. I think they charge less to group similar format types. In other words, since your tapes are all VHS they can be baked concurrently.

And no, if you're wondering, I'm not affiliated with Video Interchange.

Nor am I.

But if somebody needed serious physical tape restoration, this is my suggestion too.

[Marvingj]

The Tape could be stuck together oxidized. I think the Rewinder would be a cheap solution to see if they are good.