Different Types/Qualities of VHS Tapes

[David K]

As we enter the twilight of VHS tapes, I am finding more old rental store stock tapes ending up being sold second-hand. I notice that these older tapes are heavier than the more recent VHS tapes I have bought new, that is, the plastic body of the tape is thicker and heavier. Also the video quality often appears sharper. Does anyone know whether there was a different class of VHS tapes made specifically for the rental market, or whether older tapes were just thicker and heavier? Finally, some of these older tapes appear to have more robust copy protection than the newer tapes I have bought, that is my DVD Recorder notices it, whereas it seldom does in newer tapes.

[lordsmurf]

There have always been varying grades of tapes, from broadcast grade, to prosumer "pro" grade, to cheap "standard" grade.

And even then, companies can range in quality.

JVC, BASF and TDK (and Maxell once upon a time) are well known for high grade tapes. JVC invented VHS.

RCA, Memorex and Polaroid are known for crap.

A lot of how tapes differ is in the magnetite particle mix that is used, including size and density. The film thickness can also vary. And then finally, your plastics used in the cartridge can vary.

A tape being "heavy" does not necessarily mean it's better, usually just older. I have some Target brand tapes that weigh a ton from the late 80s, but they're not very good tapes.

[David K]

Yes good points.
What I was wondering about specifically was grades of commercially prerecorded tapes, whether there is a consensus about whether the quality got better or worse over time, and whether there was a different grade of commercially pre=recorded tapes specifically made for rental stores (more durable?), or whether those were the same ones that consumers bought.

[yoda313]

I think recording speed was more of a factor for those. A lot of times cheapo direct to video stuff was done in slp/ep mode. Usually that would be low quality with tracking problems. If they were mass produced in sp mode then they should last reasonably well depending on watching habits (ie how much you use it).

Chances are the main companies used decent tapes for the real movies.