I am trying to convert some u-matic tapes on a machine and some issues arise for only select tapes. One induces a dew detector in the machine each time and I don't know if there is a way to take it apart and air dry it.
Other tapes play, but while I don't hear or see anything, the audio meters pick up whatever is on the tape. I have tried adjusting the tracking, taking off the frame servo, and even the tbc. There was a lot of snow in the beginning of the tape, indicating oxide. Is there anything else to do? Also would buying a never-used u-matic tape to run in the machine be better than a cleaning tape? |
You've had all kinds of U-matic issues this year, it seems. :(
I don't know that a normal tape would be any better than a cleaning tape, no. As much as I detest cleaning tapes, since all they do is smears dirt around, and least it's doing more than nothing -- which is what a normal tape would probably do. Given the issue you've had, I have no ideas if its the deck or the tape, to be honest. :question: It seems I've been the one answering most of your U-matic questions (and why they were not answered until now). While I'm no stranger to the format, having "been around" it (yet never used it), it's been at least 20 years. Only in my earliest days of video did I even see U-matic. At least that I can remember now.
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Well, the tape mechanisms of U-Matic VTRs share similarities with VCRs, for anyone reading this. Some of my tapes get the dew warning no matter how long they have been in a dry setting--perhaps too much condensation/tape degradation? The thing is that I can have some tapes from the early '80s play fine (with some oxide), and then have a tape from the late '80s have this problem. Since they were all stored in the same basic area it may come down to the tape brand--I spoke to a technician who said there have been more problems with 3M and European brands than Sony, so he may be inferring occurrences of sticky-shed syndrome. Since the audio is recorded at the top of the tape, perhaps this is the explanation:
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With regard to blank tapes, I found they work very well in removing oxide--just have to play them for a few minutes at a time, and when done, throw them out. |
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