Repairing Damaged Video Tapes

If you have home movies on damaged video tapes (and audio tapes) that seem like a lost cause, know that it might be possible to repair them and convert them after all. Don’t give up too soon!

We recently delivered a client project of 130+ video tapes that we converted to digital. Most of them went smoothly, but some of them were really messed up, including the first video tape they shot with their first video camera back in the 1980s. What makes this tape special is not just its age, but that the person in the video was their lifelong friend and business partner who recently died in a tragic accident. We were able to repair their video tape and convert it so they could enjoy and share their memories.

Some of the repairs that are possible include:

1. Reattaching tape to the take-up reel. If you peek under the door on a tape and see no magnetic tape, this is probably what needs fixed.

2. Torn tape that needs spliced back together.

3. Tape that was “eaten” by a VCR and is all twisted and crinkly.

4. Cassette that is cracked, broken, or otherwise malfunctioning.

5. Moldy cassette with white or gray mold on the magnetic tape and housing.

We can usually repair all of these issues, so please reach out before it’s too late to preserve your memories!

We talk about how to choose the right video conversion service on our blog. Be sure you know what should you consider when choosing a video conversion service before moving forward with your project.

Interested in working with Chaos to Memories?

If you’re near Chicago and ready to get started, come visit our Wheaton Studio Monday – Friday, 10-5. Please bring your memories with you.

Contact us for more information, shipping instructions, and to get started on your project.