How to repair VHS tape broken in middle?

[waloshin]

How does one repair a broken VHS tape that broke in the middle? Yes I understand that you do not use tape, but instead snap the film into the reels sprocket again, but if you do not have a clear leader then the tape will always break as the VCR does not know when to stoop rewinding and therefore pulls out the film again.

Thanks for any help.

[nicholasserra]

Splice with splicing tape

[Eric-Jan]

Make two cassettes from it, each halve it's own cassette, so the splice doesn't pass the video-head which isn't the case with start or end leaders.
so never slice tape to tape, the thickness of the slice will create also a bump on the next layers of the tape, when you slice tape to tape together…. thats why you should not record at the very start of the tape, there are always drop-outs at the start…

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[latreche34]

Just use splicing tape if you intend to use one time for capturing, Just make sure you do it right ( I have to add this warning before snowflakes start to scream)

[lordsmurf]

Eric-Jan is correct here, just make 2 tapes. However, be careful, as some VCRs are dumb, and will snap off the tape on rewind, since a leader is no longer present.

Be wary of splicing tape, when not used for leaders, as it can damage the heads, then the VCR is a costly paperweight.

I'm not fond of the term "snowflakes", but I do have to agree that people too often leap without reading, then gripe and cry afterwards.

waloshin seems to have done his reading.

[latreche34]

I've spliced video tapes before, VHS, DV, V8/Hi8, if done right it does not affect the heads at all, Sometimes it's the best alternative when you have a break in the middle of a recording, You don't want to loose too many frames. After capturing thru the splice I then use vdub2 to edit out the ugly frames, Imagine how much work you have to do to make two tapes plus several seconds of footage that is not recoverable. If a splice job can damage the heads that means it is a very bad splice that is done with JB weld cement or a duct tape wrapped twice around the tape.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

done with JB weld cement or a duct tape wrapped twice around the tape.

And sadly, I don't think that's hyperbole. Youtube has some really horrible stupid advice, and we've seen instances where a new members come here upset and angry after trying said stupid method. Scotch tape the common, but I've seen masking tape, painter tape, and honestly would not rule out duct tape. Same for glues.

I still remember the member who caked silicon inside his VCR. No words.

[Eric-Jan]

Yes, always have leaders at start and end of the tape, for both cassettes, you end up with 2 cassettes, yes, but no broken VCR, just be safe with that….

[dpalomaki]

Glue! Legacy from the days of splicing movie film.

Scotch tape - Scotch is a brand name and they produce many types of tape, some for splicing magnetic tape, some for Christmas package, etc.

A good splice takes skill developed through experience that most people do not have. As a general rule the people who have the necessary experience do not need to ask how to do it on web forums. Even a 5% chance of messing the heads is too much risk for most folks.