What exactly is an nth generation tape?
 

I've seen this term being thrown here quite often, but still haven't been able to figure out what exactly defied an "nth generation" tape. Is it a tape that's been copied over and over with visible generation loss? Would a tape with my recorded commercials qualify as one? It was recorded straight from the TV, not dubbed from another tape.

I'm asking mainly because I was able to find myself a Kramer FC-400 TBC which, according to the pinned FAQ thread, performs badly with nth gen. (And if anyone would like to request a test with the said TBC, feel free to do so, since activity surrounding that particular unit here is quite scarce)

tv>vhs = 1st gen
your vhs tape copied to another would be a second gen ( or nth gen)

Nth means unspecified and usually the last number in that series. So an nth generation tape is many generations. Another word with similar meaning is umpteenth. So "I'm telling you to clean up your room for the umpteenth time."

nth gen is duplicated dupe, far removed from the master.

Either that, or a Thanagarian videotape. But those are impossibly rare. --- DC joke, for those who get it. :D