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The quality and useful
life of videotape is directly proportional to the way it is handled
and cared for by the user. Temperature, humidity, and equipment
cleanliness affect the quality of the recording and/or playback
signal. Excessive temperatures or humidity may also cause a
significant reduction in head life. Low humidity can result in static
discharges, which may be seen as flashes in the picture. Severe
static may even wipe out preprogrammed PROMS or other computer
related equipment in the VTR or VCR.
For videotapes that have
been exposed to temperature and humidity ranges outside those
recommended here should be acclimatized for a minimum of 24 hours
before use. Failure to do so may result in picture degradation or
even permanent damage to the videotape.
Recommendations for Storage of Videotape
Optimum temperature range
for storage and operating areas:
70 degrees Fahrenheit
± 4 degrees
21 degrees Centigrade
± 2 degrees
Optimum humidity range
for storage:
50% ± 20% RH
Optimum humidity range
for operating areas:
50% ± 10% RH
These suggested
conditions for operation and storage of video tape are commonly
applied in the industry but do not necessarily represent a consensus
of tape manufacturers.
It should be noted that
the tolerance for humidity in operational use is narrower than that
suggested for storage areas in order to reduce the possibility of
static discharges and to diminish the time base errors encountered
with helical scan recording equipment.
Videotapes should be
stored vertically so as not to induce a telescoping of the tape,
which will cause the tape to unwind unevenly as it plays or records.
Only recommended adhesives should be used to secure ends of open reel
tapes since other types will leave a sticky residue that may
seriously damage the video heads as the tape stock passes through the
transport mechanism. New or unrecorded videotape can withstand a wide
range of temperature and humidity changes during shipment without
worry of damage. However, recorded tapes may be subject to
dimensional changes that will result in time base and tracking errors.
Tape that has been
shipped must be treated in the same manner as tape that is new or has
been stored for a long time. That is, the tape should be wound from
end to end to pack the tape evenly before recording or reproducing
the tape signal. Shipping containers should be made of plastic with
locking lids. Heavy-duty cardboard boxes designed for shipping
videotapes should be strapped with fiberglass tape to prevent the box
from opening under impact.
Tape should not be
exposed to strong magnetic fields. The possibility of accidental
erasure from alternating current fields is practically nil under
editing room, storage, and transportation environments. However, any
piece of ferrous fetal, whether it is a tool or paper clip should be
regarded as a potential magnet. Memo posting magnets, clips, and
magnetic retrieving tools should be banished from videotape areas.
Building Conditions
Work floors should be
designed so that foot traffic does not create or stir up dust in the
work area. Tile floors, if used, should not be waxed. Cement floors
and walls should be sealed. Carpeting, in used, should be one of the
indoor/outdoor types with static drain treatment. Smoking, eating, or
drinking should not be permitted in tape storage, shipping or
operating areas. Dust should be contained with the use of filtering
equipment designed to remove 90% of the dust in a given environment.
Cleaning of VTRs and VCRs
In order to maintain a
productive environment in the work area, the equipment must be
cleaned before each use. All guides, rollers, capstans, and magnetic
heads on the VTR should be cleaned with a solvent recommended by the
manufacturer. Feon-TF is very effective, but is being phased out for
environmental reasons. The rubber rollers should be cleaned only with
denatured alcohol. Care should be exercised to prevent any solvent
from entering a rotating part bearing. The entire transport,
including the audio recording and playback heads should be cleaned
thoroughly based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not
use cotton swabs to clean video heads. Ferrite heads are extremely
hard but brittle and a caught loose strand can cause an expensive
fracture. Use only approved plastic foam swabs or lintless fabric.
VCRs are a bit more difficult to clean since the top cover must be
removed to obtain access to the transport mechanism.
Most videotape, as it
comes from the manufacturer, is lightly wound on the reel or
cassette. Before recording on a new roll of videotape or cassette,
the tape should be wound from one end of the reel or cassette to the
other and back to the head again in order to pack the tape evenly. If
the above procedure is not followed, cinching or tape stretching may
occur, which could permanently damage the tape. |
