Some "Blank Tape" Tips - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

callmetootie · 04-02-2001, 03:24 PM

Ok people, if you want your tapes with your favorite shows on them to last, you need to follow some instructions, and care for them as your own child.

Here's some tips:

#1: Never leave your tapes where it's hot. The tapes can melt and get fuzzy if they are left near your lights, or outside.

#2: Trynot fast fowarding too much. This can wear out the tape, and can get jammed.

#3: Try not stacking your tapes. You should keep them in a nice row, sideways.

4: Don't put stickers all over the tape, or try not writing on them.

#5: Make friends with your tape. Talk to the tape, and tuck in in it's case at night.

#6: The most important thing is that you don't carry them around with you from country to country, or even street to street. Blank tapes are very cheaply made.

These are the tape brands that are best to use:

Maxell Bronze is the best.
Fuju Film tapes the super bowl moments, and it lasts.
Sony tapes are good.
TDK are the only ones that I worry about. the t-140's brake the easiest, although they are expensive ones.

------------------
Andrew Carden

The T · 04-02-2001, 07:51 PM

thanx for the tips dude!

------------------
See ya~The T
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Blair: We're responsible for the Wine.

Jo: And the Beer

Mrs. Garrett: Howd' ya get beer?

[b]Jo[b/] I got beer!^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

theshark8777 · 04-02-2001, 08:16 PM

Or you could burn your old tapes to VCD format, and watch them on your DVD player. They last alot longer that way, no tape to break!!

cp · 04-16-2001, 11:48 PM

as soon as i get enough money i want to put all in the family and archie bunkers place on recordable DVD. still to expensive for me yet.

theshark8777 · 04-17-2001, 06:54 AM

I agree, DVD-R is gonna be sweet when it gets cheep enough for the average person!!

Robert Tilton · 06-04-2001, 12:57 PM

Another tip:

Set your VCR tape speed to the highest setting to use more tape. On my VCR theres 3 kinds:

SP: Real basic to me; it only allows you to record 2 hours of program

LP: Slightly better: allows 4 hours

SLP: The Best

it allows 6 hours of recording. For a 30 minute sitcom you could record 12 shows! And if you're lucky enough to be near the VCR you can pause at the commercials or stop the tape for 2 minutes. Or fast forward if you wish to not pause constantly.

------------------

Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

callmetootie · 06-04-2001, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert Tilton:
Another tip:

Set your VCR tape speed to the highest setting to use more tape. On my VCR theres 3 kinds:

SP: Real basic to me; it only allows you to record 2 hours of program

LP: Slightly better: allows 4 hours

SLP: The Best it allows 6 hours of recording. For a 30 minute sitcom you could record 12 shows! And if you're lucky enough to be near the VCR you can pause at the commercials or stop the tape for 2 minutes. Or fast forward if you wish to not pause constantly.

Robert, you've got it all wrong. SP mode is the greatest quality, and it lasts longer. LP can stay in a fairly good condition, although it can wear out because of all of the fastforwarding. SLP is only if you want your tapes to look like a sheep jumped on the screen.

------------------
Andrew Carden

Meg07945 · 06-04-2001, 07:29 PM

I don't really care about quality. I just want to watch the show...like if I'm out of town...so I always tape in SLP

------------------
~Meg~
*Opportunity does not knock, and then ring the doorbell, and then knock again, and then leave a note that says, "Sorry I missed you" and then call you on the phone.*
+Life's not a garden, so stop acting like a ho+

Robert Tilton · 06-04-2001, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Meg07945:
I don't really care about quality. I just want to watch the show...like if I'm out of town...so I always tape in SLP

That's the time. In fact I've always been able to use an SLP setting with no problems. It gives you more tape for quick watching. So use SLP when you'll just watching. But if you plan to trade tapes with a friend especially a hard to find episode (well like the ones Nik skips) use SP. Its shorter record time but better quality. I like using SLP cause you don't have to keep buying tapes & you have more shows on just a few tapes.

------------------

Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

Robert Tilton · 06-04-2001, 08:51 PM

Or better yet get you a Tivo.

------------------

Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

theshark8777 · 06-05-2001, 07:18 AM

Or better yet get you a Tivo.

[/QUOTE]

Rock on, Tivo Rules!!

Sean Snow · 06-05-2001, 10:42 AM

I disagree! SLP (also called EP) does last! I record all my shows in that format. All of them have lasted in good quaity. Only one episode I have recorded did not come out right-and that's because there was a bad reception.
Any way, I don't have LP mode. My family has 3 VCRs. One is from 1986, but you can't play recorded tapes on it, because it makes the show all fuzzy on the screen and with bad sound. The second one is from 1999. It has SP, LP, and EP (SLP). The one I have inmy home (to record Three's Company and so I can watch TV cause of my brother who hogs the main television) has SP and SLP mode.
I also skip commercials.

------------------
Jack: I'm surprised at you. Where would all the great women of history be if they thought like that!? Look at Joan of Ark and wht she accomplished. And, and Florence Nightengale and Madam Curry.
Chrissy: And Lucretia Borzok.
Janet: She posioned people.
Chrissy: Yeah, but she was very goo at it.

nancysbiggestfan · 06-05-2001, 03:32 PM

i agree with u Sean Snow. I use SLP/EP and i have lots of tapes from over 5 or 6 yrs ago and they are great condition

------------------
§ Tiffany §

Nancy and Jo and Jinny Rox!!

Sometime in June:Nancy McKeon is doing another chat for Lifetime

Please visit my site @
justfor-nancymckeonfans.cityslide.com

This is serious Mrs.Garrett. The tongues are hanging out of my shoes. ~Jo

Big Dream: To meet Nancy McKeon!!!

Dude111 · 09-12-2017, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callmetootie

#2: Try not fast fowarding too much. This can wear out the tape, and can get jammed.

#3: Try not stacking your tapes. You should keep them in a nice row, sideways.

4: Don't put stickers all over the tape, or try not writing on them.

Thank you!!!

I love VHS .. I love analogue so much!!!!

I have heard about stacking tapes.. I try to keep mine level,etc.....
They ARE stacked (some of them) but seem to be ok....

Does anyone know why they say stacking isnt good??

I HATE PEOPLE WHO PUT STICKERS ALL OVER THEM!!!!!!

When I buy one from ebay (or find one at salvation army) and its got stickers I try to cleanly get them off!! (Which sometimes doesnt always work)

Sometimes spinning the tape all thru can re-align it so it plays better.... (fast forwarding and then rewinding (IF ITS BEEN SITTING AWHILE THIS CAN REALLY HELP SOMETIMES TO GET THE TAPE BACK IN THE RIGHT SPOT))

stevea · 09-12-2017, 08:10 AM

I have beta tapes from the 1980s and they still play fine (on someone else's player...the only player I have now is VHS).

Dude...you really dug up an old thread but it's interesting!

04-02-2001, 03:24 PM	#1
callmetootie Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,768	Some "Blank Tape" Tips Ok people, if you want your tapes with your favorite shows on them to last, you need to follow some instructions, and care for them as your own child. Here's some tips: #1: Never leave your tapes where it's hot. The tapes can melt and get fuzzy if they are left near your lights, or outside. #2: Trynot fast fowarding too much. This can wear out the tape, and can get jammed. #3: Try not stacking your tapes. You should keep them in a nice row, sideways. 4: Don't put stickers all over the tape, or try not writing on them. #5: Make friends with your tape. Talk to the tape, and tuck in in it's case at night. #6: The most important thing is that you don't carry them around with you from country to country, or even street to street. Blank tapes are very cheaply made. These are the tape brands that are best to use: Maxell Bronze is the best. Fuju Film tapes the super bowl moments, and it lasts. Sony tapes are good. TDK are the only ones that I worry about. the t-140's brake the easiest, although they are expensive ones. ------------------ Andrew Carden

04-02-2001, 07:51 PM	#2
The T Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2000 Location: Baraboo, WI US Posts: 1,108	thanx for the tips dude! ------------------ See ya~The T ^^^^^^^^^^^^* Blair: We're responsible for the Wine. Jo: And the Beer Mrs. Garrett: Howd' ya get beer? [b]Jo[b/] I got beer!^^^^^^^^^^^^^

04-02-2001, 08:16 PM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Or you could burn your old tapes to VCD format, and watch them on your DVD player. They last alot longer that way, no tape to break!!

04-16-2001, 11:48 PM	#4
cp Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 10, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 359	as soon as i get enough money i want to put all in the family and archie bunkers place on recordable DVD. still to expensive for me yet.

04-17-2001, 06:54 AM	#5
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I agree, DVD-R is gonna be sweet when it gets cheep enough for the average person!!

06-04-2001, 12:57 PM	#6
Robert Tilton Man of Barnes Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 437	Another tip: Set your VCR tape speed to the highest setting to use more tape. On my VCR theres 3 kinds: SP: Real basic to me; it only allows you to record 2 hours of program LP: Slightly better: allows 4 hours SLP: The Best it allows 6 hours of recording. For a 30 minute sitcom you could record 12 shows! And if you're lucky enough to be near the VCR you can pause at the commercials or stop the tape for 2 minutes. Or fast forward if you wish to not pause constantly. ------------------ Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

06-04-2001, 07:29 PM	#8
Meg07945 Olive!!! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 16, 2001 Location: New Jersey!! The Garden State!! Posts: 1,001	I don't really care about quality. I just want to watch the show...like if I'm out of town...so I always tape in SLP ------------------ ~Meg~ Opportunity does not knock, and then ring the doorbell, and then knock again, and then leave a note that says, "Sorry I missed you" and then call you on the phone. +Life's not a garden, so stop acting like a ho+

06-04-2001, 08:51 PM	#10
Robert Tilton Man of Barnes Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 437	Or better yet get you a Tivo. ------------------ Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

06-05-2001, 07:18 AM	#11
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Or better yet get you a Tivo. [/QUOTE] Rock on, Tivo Rules!!

06-05-2001, 10:42 AM	#12
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,407	I disagree! SLP (also called EP) does last! I record all my shows in that format. All of them have lasted in good quaity. Only one episode I have recorded did not come out right-and that's because there was a bad reception. Any way, I don't have LP mode. My family has 3 VCRs. One is from 1986, but you can't play recorded tapes on it, because it makes the show all fuzzy on the screen and with bad sound. The second one is from 1999. It has SP, LP, and EP (SLP). The one I have inmy home (to record Three's Company and so I can watch TV cause of my brother who hogs the main television) has SP and SLP mode. I also skip commercials. ------------------ Jack: I'm surprised at you. Where would all the great women of history be if they thought like that!? Look at Joan of Ark and wht she accomplished. And, and Florence Nightengale and Madam Curry. Chrissy: And Lucretia Borzok. Janet: She posioned people. Chrissy: Yeah, but she was very goo at it.

06-05-2001, 03:32 PM	#13
nancysbiggestfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 18, 2001 Location: Felony Division of SFPD Posts: 2,231	i agree with u Sean Snow. I use SLP/EP and i have lots of tapes from over 5 or 6 yrs ago and they are great condition ------------------ § Tiffany § Nancy and Jo and Jinny Rox!! Sometime in June:Nancy McKeon is doing another chat for Lifetime Please visit my site @ justfor-nancymckeonfans.cityslide.com This is serious Mrs.Garrett. The tongues are hanging out of my shoes. ~Jo Big Dream: To meet Nancy McKeon!!!

09-12-2017, 08:10 AM	#15
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,268	I have beta tapes from the 1980s and they still play fine (on someone else's player...the only player I have now is VHS). Dude...you really dug up an old thread but it's interesting!